Sylvia
A Cradle In Bethlehem
© 2002 Red Pony Records
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
A Christmas classic featuring string arrangements, acoustic guitar, piano, violin, recorders, bodhran and Sylvia's fresh, embracing voice.
tracks
- 1 Guided By A Star/O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- 2 O Holy Night
- 3 Angels We Have Heard On High
- 4 A Cradle In Bethlehem
- 5 Christmas Bells
- 6 My Grown-Up Christmas List
- 7 Silent Night
- 8 When Heaven's Calling You
- 9 What Child Is This?
- 10 Ave Maria
try this
albums you will love
genres you will love
galleries you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
links
notes
“If you don't get a chill up your spine from the very first cut on this CD, forget it,” exclaims Craig Bickhardt, well-known songwriter and producer. “When Sylvia hit the high note at the end of 'O Holy Night,' to paraphrase Robert Frost - I knew I had taken an immortal wound.”
After six albums on RCA Records, two compilations on Renaissance and BMG Records and three records on the independent label Red Pony Records, Sylvia's musical horizons are expanding with the release of her first Christmas CD.
"A Cradle In Bethlehem," on Red Pony Records, is the latest offering of Sylvia's 12-year collaboration with arranger and composer John Mock. The album opens with "Guided By A Star," Mock's prelude for the 12th century piece "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Linda Thompson and David Foster's "My Grown-Up Christmas List" reminds us of the hope we can find in the innocence of our youth. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic poem "Christmas Bells" comes to life with new music composed and arranged by Mock. The title cut, "A Cradle In Bethlehem," features a 19-piece string orchestra of Nashville's finest musicians. The album also includes "O Holy Night," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "When Heaven's Calling You," "What Child Is This?" and "Silent Night."
The CD concludes with the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria." “This piece presented my greatest challenge," says Sylvia regarding her first classical recording in liturgical Latin, "and it gave me a deep sense of accomplishment."
During the 1980's, Sylvia recorded six albums beginning with Drifter, which produced her first Top 10 hit, Tumbleweed, her first Number One single "Drifter," and two other Top 10 hits. Her next release, "Just Sylvia," created quite a stir in the country music industry which was just beginning to recognize successful female artists. "Nobody" was a giant hit record, Number One on Billboard's Top 100 Country chart, and reaching the No. 13 position on Billboard's Top 100 Pop chart. "Nobody" earned Gold Single status by the RIAA in both the U.S. and Canada for selling nearly 2 million singles. It was BMI's “Song of the Year” in 1983 for most radio airplay. "Just Sylvia" was also certified gold. Sylvia's chart success continued through the end of 1987 with a total of 13 Top 10 and Number One songs. She has sold over 4 million records. In 1982, Sylvia was the Academy of Country Music's “Female Vocalist of the Year” and in 1983, a Grammy nominee for “Best Female Vocalist.” Sylvia was the featured vocalist on James Galway's CD, "The Wayward Wind."
Sylvia toured the U.S. and Canada extensively throughout the 1980's performing over 200 concerts per year. She was also highly visible nationally with popular music videos and appearances on numerous television shows, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dick Clark's American Bandstand, Austin City Limits, and The Country Music Awards. Sylvia hosted her own TV show, Holiday Gourmet, on TNN for two seasons.
Sylvia has released three CD's on her own record label, Red Pony Records, The Real Story (1996), Where In The World (2002), and A Cradle In Bethlehem (2002). These CD's are available on the internet at http://www.cdbaby.com/CD/sylvia2 and at selected music stores.
"Sylvia - A Cradle In Bethlehem"
A review by Craig Bickhardt
In an era of county music female “belters” and pop music divas who appear to consider every song an opportunity to exhibit the sheer strength of their vocal muscles, Sylvia's voice is like a gift from the gentle Muses themselves. No doubt if the Muses could really sing they would opt to give us something more genuine than the typical Christmas offerings we are numbed with each year. In that sense, “A Cradle In Bethlehem” is a taste of pure inspiration.
If you don't get a chill up your spine from the very first cut on this CD, forget it. You probably have a Santa Claus beside your manger anyway. But for me, when Sylvia hit the high note at the end of O Holy Night it was as if, to paraphrase Robert Frost, I knew I had taken an immortal wound.
From her Mid-western roots, Sylvia has drawn all of her earthier and plangent vocal qualities and mixed them with the sophistication of a Kathleen Battle, or a Keeley Smith. The results are simply stunning. Though her voice has matured over the years, it has never aged. The music on this CD ranges from the Celtic colorings of “When Heaven's Calling You”, to the newgrass interpretation of “Angels We Have Heard On High”, to the torchy rendition of “My Grown-up Christmas Wish”, to the classicism of “Ave Maria”. You might think that no one can cover this amount of territory successfully on one CD without more than a few embarrassing moments, but the mix here works beautifully thanks to this lady's abundant musical talents.
Sylvia's voice transcends genres more easily than any voice I can think of. She is a master at interpreting a lyric in such a way that it appears to be correctly interpreted for the very first time. We aren't talking about improvisation, but rather, the pure “reading” of a lyric that nuances the subtleties of the words, the honesty of the emotions, and even the poetry of the vowel sounds. And she appears to do it all as effortlessly as the best artists do their work. Listen to the precise engagement and release of her vibrato, and then see if you can find another pop singer, with the exception of Barbara Streisand, who has this kind of complete control over her instrument. Her pitch is dead-on naturally, and believe me, in the state of the art world of record making, very few singers go into the studio without an arsenal of digital pitch tuners.
Attribute the success of this collection in part to John Mock's superbly understated arrangements and his versatile musicianship. As a result of the three CDs they have worked on together, Sylvia and John have developed a symbiotic relationship that is a rare collaboration in the musical world. It's the kind of chemistry that made Sinatra and Riddle, or Strayhorn and Ellington, or Les Paul and Mary Ford such a joy to listen to. Mock's beautifully shadowed string charts provide the perfect canvas for Sylvia's brush. His musical texturing compliments Sylvia's voice on every cut. Add to these elements the experience and tasteful guidance of veteran producer and former record label executive Jeff Teague, and you get a CD that deserves recognition and a very large audience.
If, like me, your Christmas wishes include a CD that puts some new magic in the old holiday songs we know and love, “A Cradle in Bethlehem” is a gift that will not disappoint.
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
A CRADE IN BETHLEHEM
author: APRIL SKEENONE OF THE "BEST" CHRISTMAS CD I HAVE LISTEN TO IN A LONG TIME. BEAUTIFUL VOICE. HOPE YOU HAVE A NEW CD SOON.
Incredible voice on beautiful holiday songs !
author: Jeff LeFleurSylvia is one of the most underrated singers I have ever heard. I fell in love with her music and voice back in the 80's. I just got this holiday cd and loved every cut. Tracks 1-9 were very enjoyable and I loved it. When Ave Maria (track 10) started, my wife and I started to look at each other. The performance was beautiful and my wife was actually surprised at Sylvia's talent (not me, I always knew). This is one of the best holiday cd's you could ever own. FANTASTIC !
- author: Kenjiro Ota
SYLVIA is very beauty country singer. this cd is very nice christmas album,
Simply Amazing!
author: Melissa McCreary, the biggest Sylvia Fan ever!Simply amazing! I expected nothing less from my favorite performer! A Christmas classic 20+ years in the making! Sylvia breathes new life into Christmas classics! My favorite (being Catholic)is "Ava Maria"! Please Ms. Sylvia, release a new album soon! Love you!
Absolutely gorgeous! A new christmas classic!
author: CristiI love this cd. The mix of songs is great, traditional and new. My favorite is When Heaven's Calling You, but the first song, O Come Emmanuel is also lovely. Even if you don't know who Sylvia is, this album would appeal to you.
angelic voices in august !
author: joseph-robert sanchezlistening to this wonderful piece of art made my summer feel like "christmas". the angelic voice of sylvia made this cd happen for me. on the stretch of highway in my travels, it made my trip tollerable, and thanked jesus for syliva ! her heart and soul are in this one !
Just love this CD!
author: JoanWhat a great CD!! I just got it and love listening to the songs, even though it's August!
I gave this CD as a Christmas present, and the person loves it!!
author: Gloria EricksonThe person to whom I sent this CD for Christmas went on and on about how fine it is! Super!!
Beautiful
author: ShanynMoving Christmas songs, beautifully done. Another Classic Sylvia album.
- author: Marvin N. Willis
Since this CD is a Christmas Classic, I am saving it until Christmas.
stunning, stunning ,stunning
author: tony lucas western australiain australia we celebrate christmas in july also, because it is our winter. i have been a sylvia fan since nobody, this is the most poignant christmas cd ever,well done sylvia. o holy night sends goose bumps up my spine. her voice is better than ever.sylvia makes our christmas even more special.
soft and uplifting, exhilarating, wonderful. Couldn't find anything better.
author: DeniseWonderful cd. So glad it was recommended. What I needed this year. Thanks
Beautiful renditions, it made the top 5 for my Christmas Party
author: Ralph Franceschiniseveral friends heard this CD at my Christmas Party and we kept it as a permanent album in the CD changer for the season. They want their own copy!
I love Sylvia's voice, so very clear. Spectacular to both CD's.
author: Barb LeimerI loved both CDs She has such a beautiful clear voice. I loved it 25 years ago and I love it now.
Beautiful
author: Kirsten WittstruckBeautiful voice, beautiful songs! A must for lovers of Sylvia's music. A Christmas album that we all should add to our collection of holiday favorites.
Uplifting!
author: TimThis CD is a gem! From beginning to end, it put me in the Christmas spirit. This is one recording that I can listen to all year long. My favorites are "Ave Maria", "O Holy Night", "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "My Grown-Up Christmas List". The arrangements are elegant and simple, perfectly complementing Sylvia's clear, resonant voice. It's a masterpiece!
Uplifting!
author: TimThis CD is a gem! From beginning to end, it put me in the Christmas spirit. This is one recording that I can listen to all year long. My favorites are "Ave Maria", "O Holy Night", "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "My Grown-Up Christmas List". The arrangements are elegant and simple, perfectly complementing Sylvia's clear, resonant voice. It's a masterpiece!
Fantastic for Christmas or anytime! ! !
author: BILL & SHIRLEYWe both just love this CD, we have played it over several times and it is not even Christmas. The Ava Maria is so beautiful, it will bring a tear to your eyes. Such a voice so beautiful and clear, it deserves even more than 5 stars.We have knowen the artist for 20 years or more, and it is just wonderful to hear her again.
Excellent CD. Perfect additon to any Christmas collection.
author: Chance ChadwickLove Christmas music. Love Sylvia. Songs are simple and not overdone. Highly recommended.
Excellent CD
author: Clay CooperI was surprised to learn that Sylvia was still putting out CDs and immediately ordered this one, with Christmas right around the corner. The service from CD Baby was incredible. Sylvia's voice is better than ever, and it's nice to hear her beautiful, matured voice accompanied sparsely so that it really grabs you and won't let go. If you liked Sylvia's singing in the 1980's, you'll more than likely like the material on this CD even more. She is quite a talented singer.
A great find for anyone who enjoys Christmas Music!
author: JJ AmmonsWell, I hadn't seen any new material from Sylvia for awhile and then I found this website and discovered "A Cradle In Bethlehem" and "Where In The World" at the same time. It really was like Chrstmas for me! Sylvia does a great job with all of these songs and I know I'll be wearing out the CD during the Christmas season. Thanks Sylvia for giving us this great gift for the holidays!
Two thumbs up--I only have 2 thumbs!
author: WalterHaven't heard Sylvia's work in a long time. I'm delighted with the CD--really charming. Some different 'takes' on classics as well as songs I've not heard before. A Merrie Christmas to all!
A must in your Christmas collection
author: EleniA wonderful masterpiece, this is definitely the best Christmas album I have ever heard and own!! Sylvia's angelic soothing voice strikes a chord in my soul and reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. I positively adore her eendition of Ave Maria!! I received the album as a gift a few weeks ago, and I have been playing it non stop ever since. I only wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this album. GREAT JOB, SYLVIA!!!!
This is the best Christmas album I have ever heard!!
author: MissieA moving memorable melodic sensational work of art that displays deep emotion. It thrills me listening to Sylvia sing that beautifully. Her rendition of Ave Maria brings tears to my eyes.
Music of Unprecedented Beauty and Warmth!
author: WadeThe content of this album surpasses any expectations one could ever hold for a Christmas album. It is difficult to describe the music because one must experience the artistry of Sylvia’s clear angelic voice before they can begin to comprehend the beauty and warmth contained within. This masterpiece of holiday music is absolutely flawless and will fill your heart with the warmth and remembrance of your most treasured Christmases. This is truly one of the most blessed gifts one can give this holiday season.
I am in love with this CD
author: PatriciaI received A Cradle in Bethlehem two weeks ago and have listened to it many times each day. In fact it's the only CD I've listened to during that whole time! It's one of the best collections of music I've heard, and showcases Sylvia's beautiful voice perfectly. The title cut reminds me of the 1950s, and Ave Maria sends me into another dimension. I love all the songs on this CD.
Just a beautiful voice singing
author: R.PriceNo loud music.Just a beautiful voice singing.I could understand what was being sung,a rare thing on some CD's. My favourite songs,hard to say.I loved them all.I only have one regret.That each song can't have five stars.
The Most Beautiful & Mesmerizing Voice Ever!
author: Greg WadeWow! Craig that is the most amazing review I've ever read!! I couldn't agree with you more!! I actually was very fortunate to get to hear this whole album at a listening party in Jackpot, Nevada last year. Sylvia surprised a bunch of us long distance travelers with a sneak preview and there are no words to describe how happy I am to finally have this incredibly, amazing work of art to listen to whenever I want!!!! I received this CD in the mail a few weeks ago. Each time I listen to it, I love more and more things about it. I really like the production!!! My MOST favorite songs are, "Angels We Have Heard On High", "O Holy Night", "When Heaven's Calling You", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "Silent Night" and the most mesmerizing rendition of, "Ave Maria" that I've ever heard in my life!!! This is a true masterpiece!!!!! Worthy of a lot more stars than just 5. :)