Ah, Christmas. That time of year when everyone seems to truly love one another, when the warmth and smell of baked food lures people from the cold streets inside homes, and when our normal music programming is temporarily taken over by songs we all know by heart. My wife and I actually listen to Christmas music year-round. And why not? They are timeless songs that transmit a joy that is missing from today's mainstream. Friction Bailey obviously share this sentiment or they wouldn't have self-produced a Christmas album and released it in the summertime. _The Silent Night_ is a passionate display of several well-known Christmas classics as well as one original "Christ the Child King." The husband and wife duo Steve and Joy Guiles share vocal and instrumental credits including acoustic guitars, bass, dulcimer, piano, and more. The guitar work is most impressive as evidenced on instrumental track "Deck the Halls/Drummer Boy". The vocals capture the innocence and sweetness of the holiday perfectly (especially when they harmonize together). The songs are performed with heart and soul though at times, I found myself wanting to speed up the tempo. I realize that everyone has their own style and tastes differ which is why there are so many Christmas albums out there. Fans of slow acoustic music that read books and sip coffee will not be let down by this release. So, put on your Christmas socks, get some egg nog, and buy the latest from Friction Bailey. And if somebody asks you why you're listening to this in October, just tell them what my wife and I say - Christmas is everyday. Levi Stofer 10/12/2004

Friction Bailey's "The Silent Night" by Trae Cadenhead Can you believe it? We're getting close to another Christmas. Didn't we just have one of those? If you often find your options for Christmas music limited to the ultra traditional Bing Crosby or the Christian rock take on the matter, here we have a better way to welcome the holiday with music. Imagine going to a small coffee shop where a husband and wife are playing a soft, acoustic set of Christmas favorites and a few originals. By the time you leave, the Christmas holiday is a little more welcomed and you feel like you've experienced something worthwhile. That's Friction Bailey's The Silent Night in a nutshell. Now for those of you who are wondering who Friction Bailey is, they are Steve and Joy Guiles from San Dimas, California. It's possible that you might remember Steve as the lead singer for Pushstart Wagon. Friction Bailey is a smooth, intimate musical experience that fans of The Innocence Mission or Over the Rhine should easily connect with. The band's debut album Tengo Yellow Pedal was put out in 2000 and The Silent Night marks their second release. The album is quality stuff. There really is not a bad track to be found and it all flows together quite seamlessly. There are eight classic Christmas staples and two originals that compose the tracklist. "We Will Sing" is probably the best of the originals, though "Christ the Child King" is a solid song in its own right. Of the classics, "Silent Night" holds its own until we reach the end of the album. At the end of the album is a song that could very well change the way you view the power of a Christmas album. The old favorite "Auld Lang Syne" brought to me images of Jimmy Stewart and his family and friends singing at the end of It's a Wonderful Life. This version is far different, though. The soft, ethereal treatment of the song is as calming and peaceful as can be, but I can only imagine that put in the right context it could be quite dark as well. The dual vocals of Steve and Joy sound fantastic on this song. When it comes to Christmas albums, The Silent Night is definitely one of the best musical choices you can make. I imagine it will be getting a lot of play time from me in the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing where Friction Bailey goes with future non-holiday releases. If the next album is this good, it will definitely be worth the wait. 8 out of 10.

Husband and wife duo, Friction Bailey (you may know FB’s male half, Steve Guiles, from bands like Pushstart Wagon and The Vegas Nerve.), return with their (sort of) sophomore record. After making waves with “Tengo Yellow Pedal” Steve and Joy have decided to record a Christmas album. Normally I’d scoff at the very thought because most Christmas albums just aren’t very good by anyone’s standards. Thankfully Friction Bailey has joined the ranks of a handful of artists (like Kim Hill and Sherri Youngward) who have made excellent Christmas albums. The Silent Night is a very intimate album of acoustic folk versions of Christmas songs. Some people will be turned off by this albums’ somber nature but that is exactly what I love so much about it. Hearing songs like “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “Silent Night” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” in this setting is perfect. The lyrics really jump out at you since the music is so sparse and you begin to think to yourself “Wow. I have never really gotten that from that song before.” Steve and Joy do a great job of pointing out that these are actual songs that have meaning and strength and purpose, a fact that is sorely forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. So as you approach the long lines, flashy lights, falling snow, mall Santas, big discounts, family meals, community activities, and all the other things that make this the busiest time of the year, take time to pause and reflect on its true meaning. This album is a great backdrop for just that. Key Tracks: “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “Christ the Child King” Reviewed by: Mark Fisher

If buying music that makes a difference matters to you, then this is a must-have Christmas album. Each song is beautifully arranged and played. The vocals are perfect for this record and Friction Bailey should be proud to have released such a beautiful, substantive record.