Classic carols, fresh sounds

That’s the promise from Vineyard with their new compilation, “Christmas from The Vineyard”.

Much loved carols like The First Nowell, O Come All Ye Faithful, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, and O Little Town of Bethlehem are all there.

But the progressive rock riffs and drums are strong and upbeat, giving the well-known favourites a contemporary and lively twist.

An ethereal In the bleak Mid-Winter and a Goth-inspired Gaudete are two of the more interesting additions to the mix.

“The vision for this album was to bring a contemporary sound to timeless classics, and the result is an album that captures the heart of Christmas celebration with a sound that is thoroughly modern,” says Vineyard.

If bright and bouncy is more your thing, Keith and Kristyn Getty have brought out “Joy, An Irish Christmas”.

As the title suggests, the sound of this album is traditional Irish all the way – fiddles, violin, pipes, whistles and accordion all form part of the arrangements.

This album has been mindfully crafted by the Gettys for listening to, as well as ‘singing along to’, so don't expect fast reels and jigs the whole way through – although there are some nice upbeat arrangements too.

This is definitely one to have playing while you sit around a warm hearth or get stuck into some Christmas cooking or gift wrapping.

The album sleeve includes all the lyrics and the accompanying notes on the carols are a nice personal touch from the Gettys.

And for something truly heavenly and holy this Christmas, light some candles, turn off your mobile, and let your ears fill with the beautiful sounds of the BBC Welsh Chorus, the Trumpeters of the Welsh Guards, Salisbury Cathedral Choir and St John’s College Choir.

They all feature in Cathedral Carols, a brand new compilation from Elevation featuring masterful choral renditions of traditional carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. For a particularly divine treat, put on Silent Night and don’t let anyone disturb you!