Album Notes

2006 PARENTS' CHOICE AWARD WINNER!!!!

"I was impressed by his musical virtuosity and personal appeal...His songs succeed!"
- Ernie Coombs, (Mr. Dressup)

"McKhool is Canada's greatest eco-troubadour for young people and his concerts are engaging and educational"
- Mississauga Living Arts Centre

2005 Green Toronto Award of Excellence Winner
Parent's Choice Approval Award Winner
Environment Canada Action Award Finalist

"Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village" is a ground-breaking new children's CD from 2005 Green Toronto Award of Excellence winner Chris McKhool. Inspired by travels across Canada and around the world, McKhool celebrates the multicultural mosaic of our country with songs about Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Carnival (Quebec), Chanukah, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Indigenous traditions, Kwanzaa (African-American), Ramadan and Winter Solstice.

The CD is elegantly produced by Ken Whiteley (Raffi, Fred Penner) and features a who's who of the Canadian World Music scene including George Gao, Dawud Wharnsby-Ali, Allan Merovitz, Shannon Thunderbird, Ernie Tollar, Silk Road Music, Kendra Tagoona, Rick Lazar and others.

Hailed as a "Children's musical star" (National Post) and "Canada's greatest eco-troubadour for young people" (Mississauga Living Arts Centre), McKhool offers the world a vision of how to live in harmony with others by taking the time to learn from other cultures.

"Canada is in a unique position to show the world a model of a society that derives strength from its diversity. We are not a melting pot, but a mosaic. The process of accepting and celebrating our differences, and our similarities, brings us hope in a world of conflict. By increasing children's self-esteem by reflecting their ethnic and cultural traditions, religions and spiritualities in music, young people can in turn feel a stronger sense of acceptance of other people's traditions." says McKhool


"This music makes me feel like I am in a free country, like I can be anything I want!" - Nicole, age 9


Here is a review from Toronto's City Parent Magazine:
Arts & Entertainment by Deanne Fisher
Nov 1, 2005

Chris McKhool: Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village (Fiddlefire) -
Many have tried but none have come as close to capturing what it means to truly celebrate multiculturalism as Chris McKhool. The Toronto singer-songwriter epitomizes what many Canadians have come to love about this country. We no longer merely tolerate cultural differences, we explore them with zeal, share them with pride and indulge in each other's cultural riches with respect.

McKhool's Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village indulges in the music of almost a dozen different cultural and religious holidays that take place during the cooler months of the year. From Ramadan - honoured with a brief and sedate duet with Islamic singer Dawud Wharnsby-Ali - to Chinese New Year - feted with an original tune performed by an amazing ensemble of musicians, many of the season's most anticipated holidays are here. There is only a couple of old standards on the CD: "Jingle Bells/Vive Le Vent" and "Chanukah, Oh Chanukah". The remainder are either McKhool originals or traditional spirituals that get new exposure here.

McKhool's distinctive voice is accompanied by lots of children and guest musicians, including Ken Whiteley who produced the album. The whole CD exudes such earnest enthusiasm, it's hard not to get excited about all of the traditions, regardless of which ones you actually celebrate in your family.
Educators might also make use of the Songbook/Activity Guide. Visit www.fiddlefire.com to order the CD, the Activity Guide or to find out more about Chris McKhool's concerts.