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Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice is a lovely and unique Celtic delight. Jessica Radcliffe, Lisa Ekstrom, and Martin Simpson deliver a professional performance of uncommon power.

The vocals on this album are not of the usual sort. And the song selection is unusual, too; I recognized only six of the 17 tracks. Radcliffe contributes spoken words on several readings, including Longfellow's gentle "Snowflakes" on the first cut. Even when she sings, Radcliffe's delicate folk-style voice is conversational in style; I especially enjoyed her treatment of "Over the River and Through the Woods" as part of track two. Many numbers combine more than one art form--a lilting foreign carol might be blended with a classic poem or traditional Irish blessing. Lisa Ekstrom presents an evocative and dramatic "O Vent," singing and playing her accordion on this French number with lyrics from the Romani dialect. The instrumental tracks are breathtaking; Simpson's remarkable guitar weaves a rich tapestry on the Gypsy carol "The Time Is Drawing Near," and B. Phillips plays a masterful cello solo on "To Drive the Cold Winter Away."

Because this album focuses on the winter solstice and not on overplayed holiday chestnuts, Beautiful Darkness can brighten one's abode almost any time of year without seeming out of place. Although it is a bit more challenging than routine Christmas albums, those who favor Celtic performances of the most creative and spiritual sort will find this darkness both beautiful and mesmerizing.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Jessica Radcliffe

Jessica Radcliffe: bells, spoken word, vocal, tambourine
Lisa Ekstrom: accordion, vocal, whistle
Martin Simpson: guitar, mandola

Also:
G. O'Beirne: 12-string guitar, ukulele, guitar
B. Phillips: cello, cello drone, drum
Jimmy Franks: spoken word
Mark Bingham: keyboard drone

From the Web site:

Anything that can be said about Jessica Radcliffe doesn't quite seem to do her justice. She is a poet, a pagan, a shaman, a singer steeped in tradition and a songwriter of deeply personal songs that illuminate the human experience and can also make you catch your breath with their beauty.

Jessica was born in Los Angeles and was exposed to a diverse wealth of music through her family of Irish and Spanish heritage. She recalls learning Leadbelly tunes from her grandfather, who had a brief stay in jail with the blues legend. Jessica began writing poetry at an early age and naturally ventured forth into music playing her first show at thirteen. Her writing has been published worldwide and she has performed extensively with spoken word and song throughout the US, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and Hong Kong.

With music that is deeply rooted in the traditional music of England, Ireland, and North America, Radcliffe renders her very contemporary take on tradition, by infusing it with the varied influences of Richard Thompson, Skip James, Rickie Lee Jones and Billie Holiday. Jessica's superb songwriting, singing and stagecraft makes for unforgettable performances, whether live or recorded. She has made a series of critically acclaimed recordings, is a mother of three and her magical dinner parties are the stuff of legend!

She was married for 19 years to English guitarist Martin Simpson and has now returned to us with a voice as delicate and as strong as a spider's web, and a powerfully compassionate observation of the human condition.

Jessica Radcliffe, Lisa Ekstrom, Martin Simpson

Beautiful Darkness: Celebrating the Winter Solstice

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Track List