SIUCRA: A Very Siucra Christmas

Siucra

A Very Siucra Christmas

© 2003 Siucra (747728897627)

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Irish traditional trio's part-live, part-studio release of traditional and original Celtic Christmas music: strong trad style, killer vocals and instrumentals (timber flute/whistles), and an eye to the unusual melodic twist.

tracks

1 Christmas Day, Christmas Night
2 Christmas Eve
3 The Cherry Tree Carol
4 Come Day Go Day
5 Feast for a King
6 The Friendly Beasts
7 The Little Donkey
8 Bird in the Bush
9 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
10 Lark in the Box
11 The Holly and the Ivy
12 A Good Thing
13 Silent Night
14 Sing to Your Darlin'

notes

In 2003, Boston trio Siúcra (shoo-kruh) put out this gorgeous Christmas album of old and new Irish traditional and original music for the holiday season. This part-live, part-studio recording features heavenly vocals, Irish flute & whistles, guitar, bodhran, and stellar songwriting.

If you like this music, you'll also love Matt & Shannon Heaton's 2006 release "Fine Winter's Night." Matt and Shannon formed 2/3 of Siucra.

Though no longer touring, Irish traditional trio Siúcra (Irish for 'sugar') had over seven wonderful years traveling throughout the US and Ireland. And while the band put out a few year-round releases, Christmas carols were always favored in the group... Beginning with a casual presentation of a few carols over Christmas 1999 in Denver, the band gradually developed a full-length, wildly creative program of Siúcra-style Christmas music.

Siúcra featured Matt and Shannon Heaton (driving guitar, timber flute, vocals) with vocalist/percussionist Beth Leachman. A Very Siucra Christmas. brings the trio's creative focus onto music of the season.

With 14 tracks drawn from Siucra's annual Christmas show, the band's third release includes traditional carols such as "The Cherry Tree" and "The Holly and the Ivy"; high energy reels and jigs such as "Apples in Winter & Feast for a King"; and Siúcra original music for the season such as "Christmas Day, Christmas Night" and "Come Day, Go Day".

REVIEWS FOR SIUCRA:

Scott Alarik, Boston Globe, June 9, 2002
"Siúcra, which is Irish Gaelic for 'sugar,' is the perfect name for a hot young Boston-based Celtic trio. The music is pulsing and vibrant, yet warmly embraces the sweet simplicity of classic Irish melody and lyric sentiment."

Tom Nelligan, The Reel World, Dirty Linen #103, December 2002
"The disc Here Among Strangers from Siucra has a somewhat higher ratio of songs to tune sets here than many recordings from groups of this type. With an engaging lead singer like Beth Leachman, that's a good decision. Joined by Shannon Heaton on wooden flute and whistles and Matthew Heaton on guitar, Leachman is a marvelously smooth singer of songs like the traditional "Peggy-O" and "P Stands for Paddy" and "The White Birds," a bracing arrangement of a William Butler Yeats poem. The tune sets are a joy as well, simply arranged but played with spririt and feeling, proving that you don't need a roomful of instruments to fill a room with music. Great name for a record label, too."

Rob Weir, Sing Out! Magazine, Spring 2003
Siucra is Irish for "sugar," and this solid album from the Boston-based Irish-American band is sweet and satisfying. What this young group does best is keep things simple and pure, an absolute necessity given that its entire instrumental complement is Matthew Heaton on guitar and Shannon Heaton on flute and whistles. The third member, Beth Leachman, thumps out steady bodhran to assist Matthew Heaton in setting tempos, but dazzles most with her lovely voice, which is deeply rooted in sean nos stylings. Leachman sings with a light, bouncy energy that effortlessly matches the flute's swoops and glides, her voice often acting as an instrument in its own right. Songs like "Lovely Annie" and "Peggy-O" are well-travelled, but Siucra stays within itself and never tries to dazzle us with virtuosity or strained reinterpretations. Its straightforward approach ends up as disarmingly infectious. Leachman and Heaton's duet segue to a lively flute-driven reel on "P Stands for Paddy" is another example of the small shifts that punctuate the material. Not that Leachman needs much help; her keening on "Pulling Hard Against the Stream" is an impressive exercise in breath control, while "Maeve's Grave" is a gorgeous orginal song sung to guitar accompaniment and features a soaring bridge.

Siucra also impresses instrumentally. Shannon Heaton establishes most of the melodic lines, and Siucra's flute-based tunes often evoke artists like Kevin Crawford or Petrie and Carnahan. "The Piper's Despair" set has a quick-paced guitar setting a backdrop against which the flute dips and weaves. Clean percussion on the "Only for Barney" set makes a nice counterpoint to the guitar and flute, keeping the set light and buoyant. "The White Birds" proves this trio is just as find live as in the studio. Siucra never overwhelms; they just entertain, the sweetest gift of all.

Aidan O'Hara Irish Music Magazine, November 2002
"Siúcra ('sugar' in Irish) perform mostly Irish traditional songs and tunes, but with a couple of their own compositions; they provide a great selection of songs and tunes, expertly performed with great skill.

Siúcra had its start in 1998 in Boulder, Colorado. From there, this trio of accomplished, energetic players went on to perform throughout the Western and Midwestern United States. In 2001, two of the members moved to Boston. Acoustic Guitar magazine described Siúcra as being full of hot musicianship, confidence and unstoppable energy. A five-piece band would be hard-pressed to match the amount of music these three musicians produce."

Matthew Heaton has had fiddle lessons from Tommy Peoples. He has his master's degree in classical guitar, played lead guitar in a rock band and in a nuevo tango group. Beth Leachman founded the Colorado Singer's Circle; she plays the harp, and lived for a while in Dublin. Her father is a ragtime pianist and her great-grandmother played the mandolin. Shannon Heaton has been learning the button accordion, and speaks fluent Thai! With such variety and versatility, I wouldn't hazard a guess at what sort of sound Siúcra might produce in a few years time."

Marty Jones, Denver Westword, May 31, 2002
"Siúcra features the singing of Beth Leachman and an earthy sound that matches fierce craic with instrumental prowess and buckets of emotion."

reviews

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  • author: CD Baby

    Don't think you can take any more Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis and twinkly, tinkly Christmas albums? Me either. Perfect for the Irish trad fanatic, the folk connoisseur or anyone who is hankering for a superb, acoustic, driving and refreshing holiday album that sports creativity and originality, without being "just another arrangement of Silent Night." Once again, CD Baby's favorite Irish band, Siucra (meaning, "sugar" in Irish), delivers a blood-boiling album of "trad"-bred jams, complete with bodhran, guitar, Irish flute, whistle and crystal vocals. One of the top 3 Christmas albums in our warehouse.

  • author: LUCY

    I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED THE CD AS THE SOLOIST IS A COUSIN TO MY HUSBAND. NICE TO HAVE SUCH TALENT IN THE FAMILY, HER VOICE IS BEAUTIFUL

  • just beautiful
    author: gerrard

    First time I've heard Irish folk done by Americans and as Bono would say its even better than the real thing. Gave it to my mother in Galway for Christmas and it never left the player. What's even better - she now knows how to work the thing. Well done Siucra

  • Great Christmas CD
    author: Mary in Colorado

    I took this up for the Christmas Holiday and we put in on for our family gathering and dinner. Everyone Loved It! It really was perfect for our Holiday gathering on Christmas. Can't thank CD Baby enough for delivering it so quickly. Great Service! I meant to get it sooner, but time gets away so quick during the holidays and ordered it kinda last minute. But it came Christmas eve. Just in time to share with the family and everyone inquired about it. More Siucra fans now. Thanks to Siucra for a lovely CD! Just was perfect! I enjoy Siucra's concerts in Colorado. Hope to see you again soon!

  • author: Laurie in Colorado

    This is our new favorite Christmas CD. My kids have been singing Come Day, Go Day nonstop since they've heard it. In fact the lyrics have become our family motto, "Whenever we're together, there's a party goin' on." Yes, that's true. The music is sweet, (or should I say suhhhhweeeet like my teenager?) and our company has enjoyed the music too. We love this CD.

  • Brilliant! Captures a mood you want to share!
    author: Doug White

    I literally have 167 Christmas Cd's alone... This disc is having a hard time getting out of my player this season. Musicianship is amazing and the vibe is even better. Went to the top of my rotation after hearing it one time. Well done my fine black pint raising friends!

  • Everything is excellent
    author: Charlie Brenner

    This is a great CD, on par with "Here Among Strangers" or "A Place I Know." All the music is wonderful, and the balance of tunes and songs is just about right. My only complaint is that I can't keep the chorus of track one from going around my head, over and over and over...

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