GAVIN COYLE: Gentle Christmas

Gavin Coyle

Gentle Christmas

© 2004 Ocean Song, Ltd (634479058271)

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A perfect blend of all-time favorite Christmas carols, classic Christmas songs and original compositions with varied arrangements, brought to us as only the pure and beautiful voice of Gavin Coyle could.

notes

"Wow.....(his singing is) always beautiful, anytime."
Dean Richards, WGN Radio Chicago

Gavin Coyle was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. His parents raised him and his four sisters amid the fallout from the troubles including frequent bombings and shootings. Gavin credits his parents with keeping them from harm and encouraging their interest in music. He first came to America when he was 14 years old as part of a peace project involving youths from Northern Ireland. Similar to the Ulster Project, the goal was to help teens from Northern Ireland build friendships that would otherwise not be possible with the social and religious divisions existing at home. He continued his commitment to such peace projects when he joined the Ulster Project in 1992 and came back to the States as a counselor and chaperone. When he returned home, he graduated from St. Mary's College in Belfast in 1994 with a double major in Education and Art. In 1995, he returned to the States and has been here ever since, performing to sold out crowds throughout the area.
An accomplished singer and songwriter, Gavin's musical range covers both pop and folk music as well as traditional music from his homeland. His performances often reflect this versatility as he mixes traditional and original compositions. In addition to being an excellent guitarist, he plays several other instruments including the bodhran (an Irish drum) and the flute. Gavin's musical influences are a varied lot: Elvis, Patsy Cline, Beethoven, U2, The Velvet Underground, and John Williams.
Gavin started competing as a young boy, winning many local competitions including the Derry Feisanna. At the age of 14 he won the title of All-Ireland Singing Champion. He went on to perform in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem, The Siege Pageant, and Noye's Fludde. He has also performed on the BBC both in Northern Ireland and in England. Locally, in addition to charity concert work, he's been featured on WGN radio, performed at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, and performed the National Anthem several times at Wrigley Field - home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Gavin sang the National Anthem and "God Bless America" at "A Rally for America"- a fundraiser at Northern Illinois University for Speaker J. Dennis Hastert where Vice President Dick Cheney was the guest speaker. Gavin also sang at the Bipartisan Congressional Prayer Service for the New Congress in Washington D.C. in January of 2005. The Prayer Service was televised on C Span and Gavin was shown on "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings".
His first CD "Whisper of the Waves" was released in 1999. "Half a Chance", was released at the end of 2002 and was produced by Jerry Yester who is a member of The Lovin' Spoonful, a recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. His Christmas CD, "Gentle Christmas" was released in 2004. "Three" is his latest cd.
Gavin lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with his wife and daughters where he performs and teaches music.

reviews

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  • The holiday music that's missing from the radio.
    author: tricia

    Peaceful, relaxing music. A wonderful antidote to commercial "holiday" music.

  • Brilliant
    author: David

    Christmas present for me mother. Loved it. Awesome, Gavin's a legend amongst men.

  • Lovely
    author: Anne

    Our family loves this album. Gavin Coyle's version of Away in a Manger is lovely and unique. His beautiful voice on this entire CD adds richness and joy to our home at Christmas.

  • author: Kimberly LeFebvre

    I was at my Aunt's Funeral and while this being a sad occasion, I heard from the church a beautiful voice singing Ava Maria, and no matter how sad the occasion, I felt the since of peace coming from the singing. I then came in contact with this CD and even though the songs are general christmas songs, the voice singing this music is in no comparison to the rest !

  • They don't make holiday albums like Gentle Christmas much anymore!
    author: Carol Swanson from Christmas reviews.com

    They don't make holiday albums like Gentle Christmas much anymore (don't ask me who "they" are, they just don't). Singer/songwriter Gavin Coyle's award-winning voice is the gentle instrument that cradles the listener on this excellent offering. Coyle is Irish, but this is not Celtic music; the style is pop/folk, although the vibrato in Coyle's voice sometimes suggests classical undertones. His singing is pure, warm, and supremely emotive; some numbers may flat out reduce you to tears. Coyle's colleague Paul Burgess does a tremendous job as pianist/arranger on many numbers. Gentle Christmas presents 17 tracks (well over an hour of music!), including 16 well-known classics and one appealing original ("Heaven's Wind")(composer Ray Bonelli works with pianist/arranger Paul Burgess at Lucent Technologies). This album is all about Coyle's singing; the instrumental support is terrific, but relatively sparse, leaving the focus where it should be. Coyle effortlessly handles these holiday numbers with heart and tremendous style, absolutely nailing such diverse favorites as "Mary Did You Know?" and "Ave Maria (Schubert)." I found Coyle's treatment of "Away in a Manger" (usually not one of my favorite carols) to be especially sweet and affecting (the la-da-da intro and refrain stayed in my mind long after the song ended). Every track has something special to offer. In certain moments of "White Christmas," Bing Crosby springs to mind (especially when Coyle puts that little inflection on the word "dreaming"). Coyle's a cappella opening to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is riveting. One listen to Gavin Coyle's Gentle Christmas and you'll know exactly why his voice has won so many awards. His album is a wondrous, generous gift for the holiday season. --Carol Swanson

  • A beautiful, relaxing, Christmas CD that has now become one of my favorites. Bea
    author: Mary Mekhail

    A beautiful cd that I will enjoy listening to for many years to come. I especially enjoyed Gavin's rendition of Mary Did You Know? and O Holy Night. It is very evident that Gavin puts great feeling into each song. Thank you for giving me a beautiful Christmas CD that I will cherish.

  • The Best Christmas Album Ever!!!!
    author: David Preiser

    Gavin Coyle Has Released The Most Touching, Heartfelt & Beautiful Christmas Album Ever Recorded!! Wonderful Arrangements And A Glorious & Gorgeous Voice Combine To Give Us A Taste Of Heaven On Earth!!! Merry Christmas, Gavin And Thank You From The Bottom Of My Heart-David aka A FAN For Life

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