A Tapestry Of Early Christmas Carols And Festive Music by St George's Canzona – A Hidden Gem That Feels Like Time Travel
Alright, let’s get into this one. A Tapestry Of Early Christmas Carols And Festive Music is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. Released in 1971 by the UK-based St George's Canzona, it’s not your typical holiday playlist. Nope. This thing dives deep into Renaissance and Medieval vibes, with a mix of classical, folk, and just a dash of world music thrown in for good measure. It’s like stepping into a frosty village square centuries ago, where people are singing their hearts out to stay warm.
First off, let me just say—the lineup of voices here is golden. You’ve got Michael Rippon hitting those bass notes like a cathedral organ, Derek Harrison doing his countertenor magic (seriously, what even is that voice?!), Philip Langridge nailing the tenor parts, and the St. George's Singers tying it all together. The whole crew feels like they were plucked straight from some ancient choir loft, but somehow they landed in 1970s Britain. Weirdly cool.
Now, onto the tracks. There are quite a few—25 total—but two really stuck with me: “In Dulci Jubilo” and “The Boar’s Head Carol.” Hear me out.
“In Dulci Jubilo” has this haunting quality to it, like it’s been floating around for centuries waiting for someone to sing it again. The way the harmonies build is unreal—it starts soft, almost whispery, then swells into this rich tapestry of sound. I don’t know if it’s the Latin lyrics or the fact that it’s over 700 years old, but listening to it feels like standing in a candlelit church at midnight. Chills every time.
And then there’s “The Boar’s Head Carol,” which is just… quirky? I mean, who writes a carol about a boar’s head anymore? But honestly, that’s why I love it. It’s upbeat, kinda jaunty, and gives off serious feast vibes. Imagine knights clanking goblets and stuffing themselves silly while someone belts this out in the corner. It’s festive in the weirdest, most delightful way possible.
One thing I gotta mention is how raw everything sounds. None of that polished studio nonsense you hear today. These recordings have grit, texture—you can practically hear the creaky floorboards under the singers’ feet. And yeah, maybe the production isn’t perfect, but that’s part of its charm. It’s real. Like, “we recorded this in an actual medieval hall” real.
So yeah, A Tapestry Of Early Christmas Carols And Festive Music probably won’t top anyone’s Spotify Wrapped anytime soon, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a little time capsule of music history, wrapped up in gold foil and tied with a ribbon. If you’re looking for something different this holiday season—or just wanna impress your friends with your obscure taste—give it a spin.
Oh, and random thought: does anyone else think “La Sexte Estampie Real” would make an awesome name for a fantasy novel? Just saying.
