This 31st collection of Christmas Revels music derives from the uniquely robust traditions of the Nordic nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, where the winter solstice is marked with folkloric festivity and gorgeously haunting music. Listeners beware: all is not what it seems in wintry lands where the darkness is magical, mischievous ‘julenisser!’ Sung in six different languages by these incomparable soloists and choruses and accompanied by traditional instruments from the Northlands, The Gifts of Odin is our gift to you this holiday season! “Revels’ recordings evoke the true spirit of the winter holiday and puts us in touch with centuries of yuletide celebrating.” (The Utne Reader) “Revels Records has produced some of the liveliest Christmas albums I have ever heard!” (The Washington Post)

Comin' Up Shouting!

Track Listing
1. Exultation
2. The Angel And The Shepherds / Go, Tell It On The Mountain
3. Iglulik Eskimo Poem
4. Huron Indian Carol, The
5. Babe of Bethlehem, The
6. Star Silver
7. Cherry Tree Carol, The
8. New Hosanna
9. Glory to the Mountain
10. Children, Go Where I Send Thee
11. Kentucky Wassail Carol, The
12. Christmas Tree, The
13. Chicken Foot
14. Mountain Christmas Carolling
15. Wondrous Love
16. I Will Bow and Be Simple
17. Shall I Tell You Who Will Come?
18. Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head
19. Young Convert, The
20. Boston Brigade March
21. Shall We Gather at the River?

Personnel includes: John Langstaff, Janice Allen-Brooks, Robert J. Lurtsema, Jean Ritchie (vocals); Carol Duveneck (vocals, Appalachian dulcimer); Lisle Kulbach (psaltery); Stan Strickland (fiddle, soprano saxophone, double bass, percussion); Hildur Colot (flute); John Fleagle (drum); Jane Yerow, Peter Clarke, Lynn Noel, Corinna Snyder, Susan Thomas, Leslie Clark, Kim Wallach, Jodi Hitchcock, Elizabeth Clark, Brass Ensemble, The Children, Autoharp, The Chorus, The Chicken Chokers, The Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble, Appalachian Cloggers.

Recorded at the Sanders Theater, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachussetts in 1982. Includes liner notes by Susan Cooper.

Wassail! Wassail! features a variety of vocalists performing traditional American holiday favorites. The Revel Players perform the majority of this collection's songs, other performers being Robert J. Lurtsema, John Langstaff, Carol Duveneck, and Susan Robbins, in addition to others. The songs are all American traditionals, for the most part, or at least part of the American holiday tradition. Featured songs include "Exultation," "Angel and the Shepherds," "Iglulik Eskimo Poem," and "Huron Indian Carol," in addition to 17 others. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Personnel includes: John Langstaff, Carol Duveneck, Hillary Wells (vocals); Susan Ward (vocals, shawm, handbell); Ruth Dornfeld, Mary Lea (fiddle); Neal MacMillian (fiddle, Northumbrian pipes); Peter Barnes (pennywhistle, piano, synthesizer); David Coffin (recorder); James Polk, Lawrence Rosenwald (recorder, handbell); Jerome Epstein, Tom Kruskal (concertina); Nigel Nathan (sackbut, handbell); George Emlen, David Gay (synthesizer); Sean Reynolds (bodhran).
Cambridge Symphonic Brass & Tympani: Bruce Hall, Kenneth Pullig (trumpet); Richard Hudson (French horn); Kevin Henry (trombone); Gregory Fitze (tuba); Sarah Tenney (tympani).
Recorded at Paine Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachussets in 1987. Includes liner notes by Susan Cooper.

The Road to Compostela: A Galician Christmas Revels

Behold that Star!: An American Song Quilt

Welcome Yule: An English Christmas Revels

Personnel: Jayne Tankersley, David Coffin (vocals); Scottish Highland Pipes & Drums, Revels Children's Chorus, Revels Chorus.
Ensembles: English Renaissance Ensemble; Scottish Baroque Ensemble.

Homeward Bound: Sea Songs, Ballads, and Chanteys

Strike the Harp: An Irish Christmas Revels

David Coffin, an extraordinary singer and musician, has been the face of Revels- and The Christmas Revels- for nearly four decades. This new 2-album set contains 36 of David’s handpicked, favorite live performances from his 40 years on the Revels stage. David’s virtuosic musical ability is on full display in this retrospective collection as he literally “takes the stage” with Revels choruses, audiences, and tradition bearers in Harvard’s famed Sanders Theater and beyond! “David Coffin, veteran master of ceremonies, singer and recorder player in The Christmas Revels, led the audience in singing “Lord of the Dance,” then danced out into the lobby of Sanders Theater, joining the Morris dancers to execute a high-jumping caper!” (Gatehouse Media) “When Coffin sings a sea chantey you can almost smell the salt air and hear the wind in the rigging.” (WBUR-FM The Artery)

Seasons for Singing: A Celebration of Country Life

The Water Is Wide: American and British Ballads and Folksong

Track Listing
1. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
2. Room's Opening Lines
3. Wassail Carol
4. Father Christmas Verse
5. Boar's Head Carol, The
6. Constant Billy
7. Here We Come a-Wassailing
8. Villagers All!
9. There Was a Pig
10. Monk's March, The
11. Dargason
12. Fra Giovanni
13. Holly and the Ivy, The
14. Fool's Verse
15. Lord of the Dance
16. Brass Fanfare
17. Masters in This Hall
18. Shakespeare Lines
19. Nova! Nova!
20. Nativity
21. Alle Psallite Cum Luya
22. Moon Shines Bright, The
23. St. George's Verse
24. Sword Dance Tunes
25. Shortest Day, The
26. Wren Song, The
27. Apple Tree Wassail
28. 12 Days of Christmas, The
29. Fool's Farewell, The
30. Sussex Mummers' Carol

There are Christians who refuse to celebrate the season because of its pagan origins, grounded in Solstice revels. These origins were made abundantly clear when John Langstaff first staged the Christmas Revels in New York City's Town Hall in 1957. The Revels, then, were a celebration of the rebirth of the New Year, but Langstaff added a twist. He would also enfold Christ -- the "Lord of the Dance" -- into his pageant, arguing that His death and rebirth fit perfectly into ancient pagan ritual. This 1978 version of The Christmas Revels offers but one version of the ever-evolving procession, featuring Langstaff as lead baritone on favorites like "The Boar's Head Carol" and "Lord of the Dance." A large cast, performing choral vocals, spoken parts, and instrumentals, brings an energetic dignity to a mixture of traditional songs, dances, ritual, and poetry. While the spoken portions of the Revels probably work better in a live theater experience, its important to remember that the program is meant as a community celebration. While some people will find this music a bit eccentric, the sort of thing one might hear on public radio on Christmas Eve; The Christmas Revels breaks away from yet another version of "Silent Night" and offers a refreshing way to celebrate the season. Pagans of all stripes will also be glad to have a holiday album to call their own. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

1. Overture
2. March of the Kings
3. Bourrée en Étoile
4. Traveller's Prayer
5. Le Grand Lustukru
6. Nöel Nouvelet
7. Guillô, Pran ton Tamborin!
8. Aro Que Nostre Seigne Es Nat
9. Muwashah Jalla Men Qad Sawarak
10. Darj Bayyati
11. Stella Splendens
12. Gaudete
13. Veni, Veni Emanuel
14. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
15. What Shall I Give to the Child?
16. L'Homme Armé
17. Riu Riu Chiu
18. Bourrée Chainee de Rivarennes
19. Le Sommeil de l'Enfant Jésus
20. Amen
21. Sing We Noel