The Priests

by The Priests

Overview

A trio of Irish Catholic priests, two of them brothers, may seem like odd candidates for a major crossover marketing push by the RCA/Sony colossus, but whoever conceived this odd idea has carried it off reasonably effectively. Start with the makeup bucks that were surely involved; the blond-haired priest in the center, collar and all, is made to look like a cyborg from a hip science fiction movie. The surfaces come from the pop side; arranger Sally Herbert provided some of the more lush string backgrounds on Radiohead's recordings, and producer Mike Hedges has a resume going back to the 1970s and encompassing such groups as the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees. But when it comes down to the basic musical product, nobody goes overboard. The three priests -- two tenors and a baritone -- have light voices that the production doesn't overwhelm, and they stick to familiar numbers like Franck's Panis Angelicus before turning to contemporary material. The newer songs are better suited to their slightly croonish voices, and they have an enjoyable mix of familiar numbers, like the seemingly ubiquitous Andrew Lloyd Webber Pie Jesu, and more unusual yet simple melodies, not only Irish but also, in a couple of cases, Spanish. The production is oddly echo-filled, but it comes off as spacious rather than grandiose, and it effectively knits the entire program together. It all coalesces into a group of Christmas sentimental favorites of the sacred sort, sung in ensemble by performers who've managed to bring some of their enjoyment of what they do to an outsized project. Recommended, especially as a holiday item for those whose gift-giving plans include light classical music. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	11/18/2008
Label:	Rca / Rca Victor
UPC:	0886973396926
Rank:	209320

Tracks

1. Ellens Gesang III ("Ave Maria"), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52/6)
2. Die Sch¿¿pfung (The Creation), oratorio, H. 21/2~Mit W¿¿rd und Hoheit Angetan
3. Panis angelicus for tenor, organ, harp, cello & bass
4. Irish Blessing, for chorus & piano
5. Benedictus
6. Preg¿¿ria, for voice & piano/orchestra
7. Pie Jesu, for soprano, treble & orchestra (from the Requiem)
8. Hacia Bel¿¿n va un burro (Spanish)
9. Abide with me (Tune: Eventide)
10. Ag Cr¿¿ost an s¿¿ol
11. Gloria, for 3 solo voices, chorus, trumpet, oboe, violin (ad lib), 2 violas, 2 cellos, strings & continuo in D major, RV 589~Domine Fili Unigente
12. Cantique de No¿¿l for voice & orchestra "O Holy Night"
13. Ecce sacerdos magnus, gradual for chorus & orchestra (or organ)
14. Be Still, My Soul, hymn (based on Finlandia)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Priests   Primary Artist,Vocal Ensemble
Danny O'Neill   Piano,Piano
Pablo Colino   Conductor,Choir Conductor
The Irish Film Orchestra   Orchestra
Sally Herbert   Conductor
Danni O'Neill   Piano
Brendan Monaghan   Uillean Pipes,Whistle (Instrument)
Accademia Filarmonica Romana Choir   Vocals
Olli Cunningham   Conductor
Philharmonic Academy of Rome Choir   Vocals,Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

Eugene O'Hagan   Liner Notes
William Henry Monk   Composer
Mazen Murad   Mastering
Pablo Colino   Arranger,Arranger,Liner Notes
Andrew Lloyd Webber   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Bob Chilcott   Composer
Edward Elgar   Composer
The Priests   Arranger
Franz Joseph Haydn   Composer
Cesar Franck   Composer
Sally Herbert   Arranger,Producer,Orchestration,Audio Production
Sean O Riada   Composer
Adolphe Adam   Composer
Mike Hedges   Arranger,Producer,Audio Production
Tom Bailey   Mixing,Mixing Assistant,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Catriona Walsh   Orchestra Contractor
Adam Langston   Programming
Matthieu Clouard   Audio Production,Assistant Producer
Alastair McMillan   Studio Supervisor
Antonio Vivaldi   Composer
Jean Sibelius   Composer
Franz Schubert   Composer
Austin Ince   Mixing,Recording
Enda Walsh   Studio Supervisor
Haydn Bendall   Mixing,Recording
Michael Keeney   Vocal Recording
Youki Yamamoto   Programming
F.M. Alvarez   Composer
Gabriele Conti   Mixing,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Olli Cunningham   Programming
Marzen Murad   Mastering
Caitriona Walsh   Orchestra Contractor
Nick Raphael   A&R
Jo Charrington   A&R
Anna Ralph   Assistant Engineer
Robat Arwyn   Composer
Salli Isaak   Arranger