Search - Shauna Burns :: A Winter Gathering

Burns describes her latest musical venture, the Celtic flavored A Winter Gathering, as a new journey for her a collection of newfangled holiday carols and original songs performed by her with her husband, drummer James Clark (who also co-produces) and guest performers Caroline Kemper (Celtic harp), Rick Kemper (Uilleann pipes & pennywhistle), Lindsey Springer (cello), Ryan Whyte Maloney (guitar, backing vocals) and a five piece vocal choir. Bringing unique new elements and sounds to her trademark style, Burns offers new twists to classic songs like Carol of the Bells, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and Silent Night and includes three short original breath point pieces she calls Songscapes. She includes White Christmas as a tribute to her mother Joyce (who always played and sang it at holiday times when Burns was growing up) and also a compelling rendition of Clark s favorite song What A Wonderful World. The singer describes the concept this way: Winter Star, the first songscape, is the star in the East that the shepherds see in The First Noel ; Burns sings Gaelic words that speak about this bright new presence. The star travels through the other songs starting with Carol of the Bells, descends to earth in White Christmas through fire and O Come, O Come Emmanuel through desert. Luma, the second songscape, is loosely based on Ave Maria and represents the light breath. Silent Night holds the grounding axis of the album with its everlasting melody and frequency. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen holds the place of the strong anchor. The Gathering, the third songscape, gathers the songs, family and friends near and leads the listener into What a Wonderful World, the resolution. Speaking whimsically, Burns considers the instrumental versions of Carol of the Bells and God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen as the end as little cherries on top.