Soft and tender lights like that over Bethlehem shine on these two delicate releases celebrating the birth of our Savior
Guitarist extraordinaire Romero Lubambo supports the lovely and full voice of Pamela Driggs, with occasional support from Itaiguara Brandao/b, Rafael Barata/dr, Peter Matin/p, Joe Locke/vib, Vitor Goncalves and Luisa Lubambo/voc-arr. She whisps through “Silent Night”, is folksy with Goncalves on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and dainty on “Winter Reverie”, with Lubambo supplying quiet chords on his guitar. There is room at the inn for this treasure of Brazilian stocking stuffers.
Bassist Chris Maresh joins with nylon stringed guitarist Margaret for a q uite night in Bethlehem on this sparkling bright star of tender mercies. Tradtioanl pieces like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” hold hands with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” with Slovak’s strings hover over a manger. Wayne Shorter’s “Infant Eyes” pairs well with “Away In A Manger” wile Maresh gives gentle cadences like wise men on camels bearing gifts. Natal blessings of notes.