Sleep, Holy Babe (released November 2011, Naxos)
Companion to Shorter House 's publication
David Mellor
The Mail on Sunday, November 2011
Campbell, who contributes an attractive carol of her own, Sleep My Dreaming One, has chosen music that is reflective rather than extrovert, tonal but never facile, and with real spiritual depth. I love it.
Brian Wilson Download Roundup
MusicWeb International, December 2011
The music is a sheer delight and the performances good enough for me to predict that I shall be listening to this a good deal this Christmas and beyond. © 2011 MusicWeb International
Geoffrey Norris
Daily Telegraph (UK), December 2011
The vocal ensemble Blossom Street has cast its net wide to find a broad spectrum of lullabies ranging from a 16th-century O Emanuel to a modern setting by Daniel Burges of the words of the Coventry Carol, together with other contemporary treatments of sacred or soothing texts, sensitively sung. © 2011 The Telegraph
Classic FM, December 2011
David Mellor's Christmas CD of the Year and David Mellor Recommends week of 17 December © 2011 Classic FM
Sarah Bryan Miller
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 2011
The voices are lovely and the music is in a contemplative vein, just right for those days when relentless commercial holiday music threatens to overwhelm the holiday spirit. © St Louis Post-Dispatch
MDT, December 2011
Blossom Street is a popular and ambitious young vocal ensemble, and their flexibility of style is ideal for a selection from the new Shorter House published collection which ranges from the ancient to the brand new. This fine recording will be a first choice for originality this Christmas.
John Quinn
This is an enjoyable and enterprising collection, which works on two fronts. It's a nice disc in its own right, offering some welcome new listening for the Christmas season. In addition, its a good showcase for the book of music with which its linked and I hope that will stimulate interest from choir directors and lead to some of these pieces taking their place in the repertoire of choirs that like a challenge and something different. There is far more substance to this collection of music © 2011 MusicWeb International
Stephen Eddins
All Music, December 2011
It is made up mostly of music by contemporary British composers, including the group's capable director, Hilary Campbell, as well as Renaissance works by Pierre de Manchicourt and Richard Pygott, and the majority of pieces are recorded here for the first time. It's an attractive collection that should especially appeal to listeners looking for new Christmas music that's easily recognizable as Christmas music, mostly in the tradition of modern British anthems and carols.
Mark Pullinger
International Record Review, December 2011
A disc of lullabies seems like asking for trouble, however beautifully sung, but the quality of musical inspiration on 'Sleep, holy Babe' means that I never once threatened to doze off, despite a late-night glass of mulled wine or two! Solo singing is of a consistently high standard and Blossom Street's voices blend well.
Steven Whitehead
Cross Rhythms, November 2011
The singing is a cappella throughout and absolutely first class and the content is well worth investigating. This is well worth investigating whether you like to explore less familiar material or enjoy top class a cappella singing or indeed both. And, as with all Naxos releases, this is outstanding value for money.
