Tim Edey provides the latest installment of our folky festive offerings.

Release Date: 1st December 2024

Label: Gnatbite Records

Format: digital / CD

Tim’s Edey’s Celtic Christmas – an album that does what it says on the tin. Probably a tin of shortbread biscuits with suitable seasonal scenes decorating the lid.

A set of eleven tunes sees him playing a selection of Christmas-related songs in his own style. Amongst the instantly familiar titles are several Gaelic originals. Given the fact that Tim lived in Ireland for a few years and has toured the world with the likes of The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon and The Dubliners, as well as his collaborations with the likes of Mike McGoldrick and Seamus Begley, he’s well versed in the expectation.

He’s not going to be satisfied with retreading a well worn path. With a whole host of collaborators that include string arrangements from Canadian Superstars’ Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy’s daughter – Mary-Francis Leahy, Mark Kelso, Ross Ainslie, Donald Shaw, Steve Cooney and old sparring partner Brendan Power, he introduces us to several new tunes while subverting some of the familiar.

Ding Dong Merrily On High and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen for example, move beyond the singalong opportunities. The latter blending acoustic guitar with melodeon drones and even heads into a Russian Kalinka-esque flurry. and The Snowman now gets a more Tim Edey/less Aled Jones refurbish with some lush strings for company. And aside from the Celtic theme, an Eastern Europe vibe seems to occasionally pop its head above the parapet.

Not the first rehash of Fairytale Of New York that we’ve heard this year is afforded a melancholy guitar reading; no joyous NYPD choir or insult trading in the drunk tank. Just a gentle and ‘less is more’ reflection. That gentle reverie is carried in a strong thread through the arrangements, only broken by the Christmas Eve Reel and The Galician Carol that rears their heads at the back end of the set.

Thanks Tim and friends for not following the expected path; for offering up new but not seismic variations and for challenging our Gaelic pronunciation.

Here’s Taladh Chrisoda (Christ’s Lullaby):

Tim Edey online: Website / Facebook / X – formerly Twitter / Bandcamp / Youtube

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