"Alegria y Placer" is the second finely-crafted album of San Francisco's own 15-voice women's vocal ensemble, Musae. It showcases local composer Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest" for women's ensemble, harp, marimba, vibraphone and guitar. "Carols and Lullabies" is all in Spanish, and it features 10 songs of the 20 on the album. Each of the ten (accompanied) songs seems lovelier than the next, songs like "Alegria," "Los Posadas," the magical "Campana Sobre Campana," and the joyous "El Noi De La Mare." The others include standards such as "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger," "All Night, All Day," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Deck the Hall." Other favorites are "This Endris Night," from a 15th Century English text, and a pair of lovely, wise folk songs, the lively "Vus Vet Zayn" and the gentle "Nada Te Turbe." There is quite a lot of accompaniment in the album, but the focus is on the beautiful voices. Musae is a delicious vocal smorgasbord from beginning to end, and all we have to do is treat ourselves. "Alegria y Placer" is one of the most enjoyable Christmas albums of the year! |
