The Wexford Carols (Volume 2) Centuries reaching out to each other

Stange Wonders

The Wexford Carols Volume 2….

 

Photography on these 2 albums bu Laelia Milleri

In 2014 Caitriona O’leary recorded her first album of these Wexford Carols; Produced by Joe Henry, and featuring guests Rosanne Cash, Tom Jones, Rhiannon Giddens. The album consisted of 12 Carols. But there are 22 Carols, and so this second album completes the list …Volume 2.
(Some more info on these Carols you’ll find here)

I personally tend to call this album Chapter 2. In Chapter 1 we got to know the characters, and now it is time to dive deeper into their existence. I must say I was deeply moved in hearing these songs, and I hope in future times we can hear them sung live backed-up by a choir and the accompanying musical instruments relating to the 17th and 18t Century.  

For me, once more, music goes so much further than song. Immediately with the opening seconds of ‘Ye son of Men’, subtly carried by a harmonium drone I felt like entering sacred grounds; ... a strange tension, ‘Strange Wonders’....
The voices, the singing, the music, … it is all performed/sung with so much respect without trying to force it all. I am in deep respect for everyone involved in these songs.

Besides the musical beauty, these 2 albums have a much bigger importance. These songs are important Irish Heritage (And I’m not even Irish). Caitriona O’leary is historically examining these Wexford Carols. Giving us an understanding of them in its time, and at the same time, bringing these songs in our age back home. Centuries reaching out to each other. We must embrace this, and I can believe she is not finished in her quest yet. I have the greatest respect for your journey into this Caitriona.

I believe we will hear more about this, even after these 2 volumes with 23 songs.
Twenty-three ? I hear you oppose. You started saying there were only 22 Carols?
Indeed. But Both albums end with the same ‘The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol’.

I am looking forward to the future story of this all, and perhaps We are fortunate enough one time to enter that sacred ground in real life, and listen to the Choir, the musical history, the Carols, … performed by these wonderful artists.

Stay safe everyone,
Stefan