Midwinter Graces [CD]

Finally, Tori seems to be back to something like her old self after a pretty lacklustre seven years since the magnificent Scarlet's Walk. Her past three albums - The Beekeeper, American Doll Posse and the recent Abnormally Attracted To Sin - suffered from mediocre pop-rock arrangements trying too hard to sound like other artists, and far too many substandard songs crammed onto the disc.

This winter album sees a return to the classical side of Tori's musicianship, with largely orchestral arrangements throughout - only three of the twelve tracks here feature her band prominently, but sparingly. Elsewhere, gorgeous string arrangements, brass and harpsichord are the order of the day, and the result is heavenly for those of us who have longed to hear this side of Tori again. Songs are well-written, beautifully arranged and performed, and the sound is allowed to breathe for the first time in years.

She's done a remarkable job of re-interpreting several well-known carols, going back to the pagan roots of both words and music, and blending them seamlessly with her own additional lyrics on occasion. Don't expect straightforward renditions of such well-loved standards as We Three Kings, The Holly and The Ivy, Coventry Carol, Veni Veni Emanuel etc. Under Tori's scholarly and imaginative direction these old carols are reworked in a quite magical way; she manages to bring the pagan roots forth in a way that makes you hear these songs anew.

The album also contains several new Tori originals, among them 'Snow Angel', a song written for her daughter Natashya (who also sings briefly on the record - don't worry, it works!), the stunning 'Our New Year' and a thoroughly enjoyable big-band number called Pink and Glitter. The best new track though is 'Winter's Carol', which must be one of the best things she's ever done.

This is the loveliest, most affecting Tori Amos record in years. If you're a fan, you'll be delighted. If you're just looking for a winter album that isn't about Frosty the Snowman and Santa kissing mommy under the mistletoe, this might just be your thing.

What struck me especially when I listened to this CD for the first time was how immediately accessible it was and that may in part be due to the familiarity of the Christmas content, but the marriage of Amos with this niche musical genre works surprisingly well. Some critics of Amos describe her music as pretentious, I think it's more that her voice carries a righteous quality to it, which can be mistaken for pretension, but that's the beauty of this unlikely collaboration...the best Christmas record is all about embellishment and grandeur as well as degrees of subtlety, and requires a special kind of vocalist to triumph in the delivery of such big themes. Tori Amos is one of those singer-songwriters and consequently `Midwinter Graces' feels like a natural and effortless union. It also harkens back to an instrumental-style that I thought Amos had all but abandoned on recent albums.

The challenge of re-working traditional Christmas carols has produced magical results for Amos. There are few other artists who could change the lyrical content to put their own unique stamp on the material, while still maintaining the integrity and unique appeal of the original work. Had Amos simply covered the songs without changing a single lyric this album would not be half as entertaining, but what she's managed to achieve by often re-working the verses while retaining the original chorus, is to create something totally modern that nonetheless captures in entirety, the essence of these long-time established classics.

Piano work drives this album. Personally I think the piano is one of the best instruments at conveying a wintry-quality and Amos is a goddess in that area, as we all know, so the result is a collection of songs that sparkle with wintry appeal. But there are many more examples of instruments utilized to perfect effect, evoking a mood that is perfectly suited to the subject matter.

My favourite tracks on the album-

Track 2- `Star of Wonder' - So traditional and yet so Amos. Genius. (9/10)
Track 4- `Candle: Coventry Carol' - This song completely transports the listener into another era- it bespeaks of all the immortal associations we have with Christmas- tradition, reflection, a certain sadness. The best song on the album in my opinion. (10/10)
Track 5- `Holy, Ivy and Rose' - Felt I had to mention this track for the inclusion of Amos' daughter Natashya Hawley on answering vocals. The counterpoint of their voices works perfectly. Very festive. (8/10)
Track 11- `Winter's Carol' - Lots of piano work, hauntingly Kate Bush esque. This stood out for me in the story-telling stakes, I felt like I was being taken on a journey. Which is what Christmas is all about I reckon. (9/10)

I don't know whether `Pink and Glitter' and `Our New Year', which Amazon mention in the description, are the only tracks that represent completely new material by Amos for this album, but these were two of my least favourite tracks- `Pink and Glitter' is the album's big-band showpiece, but it doesn't quite deliver the knockout chorus you feel it deserves. Where as I found `Our New Year' to be a weak closing song- despite the up-tempo strings section, it doesn't manage to distinguish itself among the other classics on the album, so not a spectacular note to end on, but oh well, without any doubt it's still a gem of an album.

Now here's a curious confection to be sure!
Carol-along-a-Tori. I had to stretch my mind
into an unfamiliar shape to even begin to meet
her half-way on this one. It is a strange affair.

Strangely beautiful in fact.

I've always considered Ms Amos to be more a
sinner than a saint (the very nicest kind of
sinner I hasten to add!).
Her Holy Night is, therefore, a revelation.

'Midwinter Graces' is about as far away from
the usual obligatory celebrity Christmas album
as it is possible to be. Her heart is clearly in it.

Even some of the most familiar songs are given
reworkings so startlingly original that we hear
them as though for the first time.

'Candle : Coventry Carol' with its warm piano
and brass arrangement is jarringly beautiful.

My own favorite seasonal melody, 'Emmanuel', is
given a stately and mesmerising performance.
The subtle use of strings, bells and percussion
is magical.

The self-penned 'Our New Year' brings a welcome
touch of doubt and darkness to the project.

'Snow Angel' is simply and starkly delightful.

Ms Amos really has created something quite
extraordinary here for believers and unbelievers alike.

This is as close a realisation of something
approximating the notion of "Christmas Spirit"
that we will ever again be likely to encounter.

Essential.