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Our Review

Here is a superb folk holiday CD by Magpie (Terry Leonino & Greg Artzner). "Last Month of the Year" is an exciting revelation, containing many unusual and fresh discoveries for the winter solstice season. Leonino & Artzner have been playing together for over 30 years, and they represent absolute excellence in their craft.

"Last Month of the Year" is traditional folk music at its finest. This is all-acoustic (the skillful accompaniment is what you might expect--mostly guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, harmonica, Native American flute) with two rich, strong voices lifted in remarkable harmony. Guess these two have been singing together for so long that their voices have just twined together like ivy over the wall. Both Leonino & Artzner have very fine folk vocal instruments. Hers is perhaps more powerful, but never harsh, and her range is most impressive; Leonino projects intensity where appropriate and manages the softest passages with delicate nuance. Artzner possesses an excellent baritone that richly delivers on every number.

Of the 14 seasonal songs, two are originals ("Solstice Carol" and "No Room For You Inside"), and two others are well-familiar ("Huron Carol," "Gesu Bambino"). The rest are rare and special treasures waiting to be uncovered. Even "Auld Lang Syne" is performed to an unfamiliar Scottish aire. All the tracks have excellent vocal work except for "Gesu Bambino," which features Artzner's wonderful guitar work. Two numbers celebrate Chanukah, include Woody Guthrie's memorable "Ballad of Chanukah."

My favorite picks? That's tough on a consistently excellent album like this. The "Christ Child Lullaby" with its eerie concertina opening and amazing vocal harmonies is near the top of my list. The a cappella, multi-layered "Malpas Wassail" creates an amazing collage of sound--I don't think I've ever heard anything like it. Finally, when I think back over the various tracks, I remember "Chanukah Chase" and "Huron Carol" perhaps the best--the former has an infectious melody and a compulsive rhythm; the latter has always been a favorite carol of mine, and Magpie's version defers to the Native American origins of this tune.

Don't wait for the last month to pick up "Last Month of the Year." If you have any folk blood coursing through your veins, Magpie's seasonal offering will be the easiest and best choice you make this holiday season.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Musicians:

Greg Artzner: vocals, guitar, English concertina
Terry Leonino: vocals, mandolin, harmonica, dulcimer, Native American flute
Ralph Gordon: acoustic bass
Kim & Reggie Harris: vocals on Gower Wassail & Last Month of the Year

From the promotional materials:
Magpie, Terry Leonino & Greg Artzner, one of the most popular and enduring duos in folk music, celebrate the season of joy with songs, carols, wassails, ballads and originals. With Last Month of the Year they present music that is traditional and contemporary, upbeat and contemplative, expressing what is most beautiful and moving about the seasonal celebrations that center around winter solstice. Included are a little-known Chanukah ballad by Woody Guthrie, a song about the homeless in winter, a Shetland fiddle tune, traditional wassails, joyful Christmas spirituals, and a seldom heard setting of Robert Burns' classic.

Magpie

Last Month of the Year: A Celebration of the Solstice

Artist link

Track List