The Wexford Carols to be released

US release date : November 4
UK release date : November 3
recordlabel : Hersey records


To promote this new Caitríona O'Leary Album, wich Joe Henry produced, a website has been put online.

http://thewexfordcarols.com

A wonderful promotional video featering Caitríona O’Leary, Rosanne Cash, Sir Tom Jones and Eric Fraad (founder and director of Heresy Records)



Credits
Caitríona O’Leary –Voice
Rhiannon Giddens – Voice, Fiddle, Minstrel Banjo
Rosanne Cash – Voice
Tom Jones – Voice

Adrian Hart – Fiddle
Eamonn de Barra – Flute, Whistle
John Smith – Voice, Guitar, Mandola
Dónal Lunny – Bouzuki
Kate Ellis – Cello
Greg Cohen – Double Bass
Mel Mercier – Bodhrán, Bones
Graham Hopkins – Voice, Drums

Joe Henry, Producer
Ryan Freeland, Recording Engineer, Mix and Master

Tracklist
01 – Tell Shepherds – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
02 – An Angel This Night – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
03 – Jerusalem Our Happy Home – Tom Jones, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary & Rhiannon Giddens Backing Vocals
04 – This Is Our Christmass Day – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
05 – Now To Conclude Our Christmas Mirth – Rhiannon Giddens, Singer, Tom Jones & Caitríona O’Leary Backing Vocals
06 – The Darkest Midnight In December – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
07 – An Angel This Bright Midnight – Rosanne Cash, Caitríona O’Leary, John Smith, Graham Hopkins Vocals
08 – Behould Three Kings – Rosanne Cash, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary, John Smith, Graham Hopkins Backing Vocals
09 – The Angell Said To Joseph Mild – Tom Jones, Singer, Caitríona O’Leary, Rosanne Cash & Rhiannon Giddens, Backing Vocals
10 – A Virgin Queen In Bethlehem – Caitríona O’Leary, Singer
11 – Christmas Day Is Come – Rhiannon Giddens & Caitríona O’Leary, Vocals
12 – The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol – Rosanne Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Caitríona O’Leary, Tom Jones, Vocals


for an interesting article, on the history of these Carols, visit : http://www.patrickcomerford.com .
(And living in Belgium, I am verry proud to say, the history even brings us back to Ghent.)

Greetings,
Stefan.

Update October 27, 2014.
Heresy Records linked us an interview with Joe Henry where he speaks briefly about this project.
Read it here.  

 Update November 29, 2014.
Interesting clip on Joe's approach.
  

Update December 15, 2014.
In a radio interview Tom Jones explained that he got involved because Joe Henry contacted him.

Update December 20, 2014
from the la times

"I'm such a lover of music from that part of the world," said Henry, noting that he has Irish lineage in the distant past on his father's side of his family. As much has he has previously explored the roots of American music in many of its forms, "I had not heard these songs before. I knew they were from a larger canon, but it was one I had not immersed myself in."

Henry, who lives in South Pasadena, invited Jones, Cash and Carolina Chocolate Drops singer Rhiannon Giddens to be part of the recording sessions, and contributed vocals on some numbers. He described it as a profound honor to work with revered Irish bouzouki player Donal Lunny, who helped O'Leary and Henry arrange the songs.

"I'm a Celt," Henry said. "That's where I come from, and this was deeply resonant, incredibly soulful music to me. Our culture has drawn a very narrow concept around what is holiday music and what that might encompass. The fact that this music was particular to the season. ... I found that fascinating."
 
Update December 21, 2014
NPR has an interview with Joe and Caitrîona O'Leary.