Various Artists Fantasia De Navidad

Format: CD.
Year Of Release: 2002.
Label: Siesta.
Label reference #: siesta 760.
TK Mailorder Reference ID: M180570
Approximate release date: November 5, 2002.
Genres:

Price: $13.99 [Out of Stock]


Distributor/label description(s):

Siesta Records description:
To get you all in the mood for the holiday season we bring you an ear-catching and remarkably consistent collection of pop songs. Siesta demonstrates that one does not need to compromise one's aesthetic values when doing a Christmas album. Forget carols, Bing Crosby, Santa, cheesy choirs, TV specials and the poor turkeys! This is a memorable record that rescues the feeling of the heartfelt pop as once did. no one, except maybe some acts from Disques de Crepuscul or the Sarah records-El-Cherry red siblings. Fantasia de navidad gathers the same purity, minimalism and beauty but with the extra musicianship of the Siesta crafted maestros Ramon Leal and Mateo Guiscafre and the help of a most intriguing roster of artists. Do not expect lounge or cinematic songs this time, think of Christmas seen by
Stereolab, Young Marble Giants, Carousel or Kahimi Karie. X-mas pop now!! So go grab yourself a glass of Eggnog or Wassail and enjoy!
   Christmas is seen here as an intangible feeling that combines melancholia, love, loneliness, sense of longing, joyness and sadness. Just the ingredients that all the aficionados of the grandiose musical fantasies mostly appreciate. The record starts with an almost ritualistic Siesta hymn for Christmas. Bathing Beauty has a lovely voice and her rendition to "The Thirteenth day of Christmas" -a pastoral melancholic song written by Martyn Bates- is absolutely fantastic. The third track is a sweet and sparkling song once played by the Hit Parade and Amelia Fletcher. "East" is a gentle lullaby reminiscent of the Scottish tradition of relaxed pop and the Richard Preston or John A. Rivers productions: It is ideal for a night in the glow of the Christmas tree or fireplace.
   The stars are brightly shining now. Maybe you remember an act called Ornamental (born from the ashes of Strawberry Switchblade and The Sugarcubes), don't you? The Magic Whispers -a cute duo that purrs with silky-smooth appeal- overs the unforgettable "Crystal nights" with superb mastery. Bel Divioleta injects Japanese flavours to the record by means of a breathtaking cover of a Bridge masterpiece. Upbeat mellow dance pop in
Spanish. Track 7 shows Silvestre Paradox singing a ballad from The Pale Fountains "Benoit's Christmas" but with an Orange Juice or Aztec Camera emphasis. A gentle surprise for the pop connoiseurs. Bathing Beauty instills feelings of nostalgia and reverence with a version of another Bridge- Hideki Kaji seasonal composition "Christmas jam".
   "Navidad en Mallorca" is a short piece that evokes Mateo's images of a gentle Christmas day in Mallorca. Cafe Society displays some jazzy charm with "Sylvia's theme" whereas Rita Calypso mesmerises us with "Girl without a boy" an obscure favorite for baby boomers. "Cuando yo era pequena" a Spanish-language number (the songwriter was Cecilia) is filled with memories of childhood, family, frustrations and joy. The voice of Bel Divioleta conveys smiling children's faces and goodwill toward mankind. On Track 13 The Magic whispers develop an understated cover of a Number 4 Joystreet song that can be described as graceful, elegant and expressive. One of the climaxes of the record. Noelle a Hawai -a refreshing Crepuscule song by Antenna- is reinvented by the debutant French Naf Nat (one of the purest sounding female pop singers walking the face of the earth). The end is an Admirall achilles cover of the Sarah records' act Brighter song "Christmas": It certainly deserves a serious listen Time to be sad.
   Christmas has always been a treasured time of year. The kids eagerly await the presents on Christmas morning, but it is the adults who look forward to the true gift of the season, Christmas pop.

Track listing:

1. The Magic Whispers: "Christmas At Siesta"
2. Bathing Beauty: "The Thirteenth Day Of Christmas"
3. Bathing Beauty: "Christmas Tears"
4. Admiral Achiles: "East"
5. The Magic Whispers: "Crystal Nights"
6. Bel Violeta: "Slow Strawberry Bicycle"
7. Silvestre Paradox: "Benoit's Christmas"
8. Bathing Beauty: "Christmas Jam"
9. Basilisco: "Navidad En Mallorca"
10. Café Society: "Sylvia's Theme"
11. Rita Calypso: "Girl Without A Boy"
12. Bel Violeta: "Cuando Yo Era Pequeña"
13. The Magic Whispers: "The Flowers Are Calling"
14. Naf Nat: "Noêlle A Hawaii"
15. Admiral Achiles: "Christmas"



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