"Almost Christmas" is the latest release from The Cascades Recording Company-- a new
recording featuring some of Tallahassee’s favorite performers. This CD contains fourteen
holiday favorites sung by Del Suggs, Danica Winter, and Mimi Hearn. It was
produced by Suggs, along with Pete Winter, and David Murphy (who also perform on
the recording). The disc displays a roots-based acoustic sound, although spiced with
sounds from rock to gospel to bluegrass-tinged.
The recording opens with “Cadillac of a Woman” (written by blues legend Bill “The
Sauce Boss” Wharton) in a powerful acoustic-driven anthem to Mary, and flows
smoothly into an upbeat variation on “Good King Wenceslaus” (featuring Mickey
Abraham on the mandolin). “Santa Bring Me Love” is the self-penned plea from
Danica Winter, sounding for all the world like the soundtrack of a 1960s TV Christmas
special. Mimi Hearn then joins with Suggs and Winter to present a rocking arrangement
of “We Three Kings,” then stays front and center to sing “Light Of The Stable.” Suggs
delivers his take on “Silver Bells,” followed by a very Jamaican-inspired “Deck The
Halls.”
“Sans Day Carol” features Winter and Suggs in a sparsely beautiful carol, followed with
Hearn belting the southern gospel favorite “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” “I Saw
Three Ships” gets rearranged by Suggs away from it’s waltz-time roots, and glides into
a completely reworked “Love Came Down At Christmas.” Winter takes a turn at “O,
Come All Ye Faithful” in a melody variation that stands tall. Classic favorite “Silent
Night” leads to a Hawaiian take on “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” to close the
disc.
Musicians on this record are: Del Suggs (vocals, guitar, ukulele, percussion); Danica
Winter (vocals, percussion); Mimi Hearn (vocals); Pete Winter (bass); David Murphy
(bass, keyboards); Tom Corbett (drums); Jerry Thigpen (electric guitar); Michael Sautter
(harmonica); Mickey Abraham (mandolin); and special guest Pierce Pettis (guitar &
vocals on “Cadillac of a Woman”).
“Almost Christmas” was recorded by Pete Winter and David Murphy, and mastered by
sound-guru Pete Winter at his world-class Winterstone Productions. The cover art was
designed and created by Laura Pichard Murphy at Paisley Design.
This is the eleventh release by The Cascades Recording Company label.
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