Sparrow Christmas Records

Posted by Kevan Breitinger Aug 8, 2006

"Unexpected Gifts," is a multi-artist modern pop/rock collection, and "An Irish Christmas" is from Celtic vocalist Moya Brennan. "Unexpected Gifts (12 New Sounds Of Christmas)" is led by exclusive recordings from Sanctus Real ("Silent Night") and Starfield ("O Come All Ye Faithful") that will both hit radio stations this holiday season. Other featured acts on this festive collection include Bethany Dillon ("God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"), Shawn McDonald ("O Holy Night"-never before available on CD), David Crowder Band ("Feliz Navidad"), Chris Tomlin ("Angels We Have Heard On High"), ZOEgirl ("What Child Is This"), Rebecca St. James ("Hark The Herald Angels Sing"), Tait ("The Christmas Song"), Nichole Nordeman ("Do You Hear What I Hear"), Steven Curtis Chapman ("O Little Town Of Bethlehem"), and Kutless ("It Came Upon A Midnight Clear").

With more than 15 million albums sold to date, Moya Brennan is a Grammy-nominated singer best known for her work with the globally acclaimed Irish group Clannad. She has also recorded with U2's Bono, contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks, and is the sister of another world renowned musician, Enya. "An Irish Christmas" wonderfully showcases Brennan's ethereal, inspiring voice accompanied by Uilleann pipes, fiddle, tubular bells, harp, and other instruments on songs like "The Wexford Carol," "Joy To The World," "In The Bleak Midwinter," "Gabriel's Message," and "Oiche Chuin (Silent Night)." About the album, Moya said, "I've been involved in a number of other people's Christmas projects in recent years, but I wanted to capture a truly Celtic Christmas feeling. It's always important to bring the meaning of Christmas to the fore. It is the essence of what I believe in, and "An Irish Christmas" offers both celebration and reflection on that familiar theme."