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Ancient Noels Maggie Sansone and Ensemble Galilei Maggie's Music, P.O. Box 4144, Annapolis, MD 21403 Ancient Noels offers obscure Christmas and holiday selectionsprimarily carolswhich did not attain the popularity of today's holiday favorites; yet these songs still make nice holiday listening. Diverse song selections keep this recording fresh and inviting. Interestingly, instrumentation changes frequently and the mood sways from dark and haunting, to bright and festive (although it tends to linger more on the darker side, which is a little startling for a holiday album). However "The Truth Sent From Above" is wonderfully dark. Based on plainchant, this carol is accompanied by drum and tambourine that gives the tune a driving momentum. At times, wonderful percussion accentuates the melodic instruments and provides a strong rhythmic groove, such as with the bells on "The Donkey's Carol." The songs on this recording are stand-out choices; fused with great interpretation, this selection of medieval carols really works. --John Sestak III

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