OCTAMERON

- at Christmas -

This is our third CD and ever since the second was released in 2009 there have been constant rumblings from a certain section (namely the tenors) to the effect that we should make a Christmas album. So finally, after nearly seven years, here it is.

We could perhaps have called it 'Not the Usual Christmas Album' because, although several tracks have well-known titles, some of the tunes or arrangements may be unfamiliar, for example 'Away in a Manger' uses the Normandy tune and 'In the Bleak Midwinter' has a Swingles type backing.

'White Christmas' was arranged by Hilary's father Ernest Tomlinson and 'When Christ was Born' was written by her uncle and has not previously been recorded. 'Carol of the Bells' was arranged by Brian's son Max, and the artwork and design of the CD is the work of Robin's son David. So there is a definite family feel to the album.

The CD is available for £ 6.50. Please to contact us by email to order your copy.

Recorded at The Grand Studio, Clitheroe, Lancashire on 14th January 2016.
Post-production editing by Ian Peters. Design by David Knipe.

  1. Gloucestershire Wassail    

    Trad. arranged by R.Vaughan Williams
    percussion - Brian

  2. Lully Lulla Lullay           Listen

    Philip W J Stopford

  3. Infant Holy Infant Lowly          

    Alan Simmons

  4. Glory to the Christ Child    

    Alan Bullard

  5. Ubi Caritas    

    Ola Gjeilo

  6. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year          

    Eddie Pola & George Wyle arr. Carl Strommen
    keyboard - Brian

  7. Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind           Listen

    John Rutter
    keyboard - Brian

  8. In the Bleak Midwinter           Listen

    Harold Darke arr. Tom Bullard
    solos - Sheila and Robin

  9. Balulalow          

    Richard Allain

  1. Pat-a-Pan           Listen

    Trad. French arr. Mark Burrows     
    flute - Sarah,   percussion - Brian

  2. Adam Lay y'Bounden          

    anon arr. Howard Skempton

  3. Carol of the Bells           Listen

    Mykola Leontovych arr. Max Heaton

  4. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas           Listen

    Hugh Martin and Ralf Blane arr. Peter Gritton
    solo - Julie,   keyboard - Brian

  5. Seal Lullaby          

    Eric Whitacre

  6. When Christ was born of Mary Free          

    James Tomlinson
    The Ladies, keyboard - Brian

  7. Away in a Manger          

    Trad. arr. Reginald Jacques

  8. The Christmas Song     

    Mel Tormé and Robert Wells arr. Walter Ehret
    solo - Chris,   keyboard - Brian

  9. White Christmas      Listen

    Irving Berlin arr. Ernest Tomlinson
    keyboard - Brian

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