Hang the Holley: Laura MacKenzie

Welcome to Hang the Holly. You'll meet Laura MacKenzie this week as we take an inside look into the latest episode of the Celtic Christmas Podcast.      The The Holly and The Ivy is already getting a ton of downloads. Over 1000 in less than a week after it came out. So I have high hopes that all of these incredible artists will special attention this holiday season.   Show #56 features Christmas music from The Irish Rovers, Steel Clover, Matthew Young, Emish, Spencer & Beane, Laura MacKenzie, Cantus Lunaris, The Jig Is Up!, Andrew D. Huber, Rosmerta, Haggis Rampant, A Shamrock in Kudzu, Sarah Marie Mullen, The Selkie Girls, The Gothard Sisters.   If you enjoy the show, please do all of these artists a favor. Share it with your friends on social or in your community.   You can also rate the podcast or post comments on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher. And of course, subscribe to the podcast at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.   And now Laura MacKenzie   It’s not hard to believe that Laura MacKenzie has Irish dance in her background – you can almost hear it when she plays her music! This talented artist has not only been the recipient of some coveted fellowships, but she also has her own designated namesake “day” in Minnesota because of her work in traditional Irish music. (In case you are wondering, it’s November 22nd.) Laura has been mentored by some wonderful musicians on everything from button accordion, to Irish flute, to Scottish smallpipes. Yes—she’s definitely one of those Celtic artists that plays numerous instruments! She has also been awarded some heavy-hitting titles, such as a Master Folk Artist, a "Celtic music wizard”, and a "High priestess of Celtic music”. It’s doubtful that any of these monikers were handed out lightly!   If you’re looking to lay in something unique in terms of holiday music, this lady presents some fun options. Yuletide Bagpipes is exactly what it sounds like—a nice collection of tunes, featuring a wide array of pipes. You’ll hear border pipes, smallpipes, lowland pipes, medieval greatpipes, and even some cornemuse. It’s hard not to feel festive with this type of music wafting through the air. The album begins with Joy to the World/I Saw Three Ships and offers 15 bright tracks that end with her version of Auld Lang Syne.   Celtic Holiday is another one of MacKenzie’s holiday albums; this one features 14 tracks with many favorites peppered throughout, such as “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”, “God Rest Ye Marry Gentlemen”, and “What Child is This/The Greensleeves Jigs. There’s an especially haunting version of “O Come, O Come Immanuel” that is almost meditative. Just lovely. It’s always interesting to see what various artists do with the arrangement of tunes that are familiar to almost everyone. Each has their own take on how to present it, and this is especially true of holiday music like these tracks.   For those who can’t decide which of these sounds better, the obvious compromise would be to go with “Heigh Ho, The Green Holly”, which is a collection of Celtic Christmas music that was selected from both of the previous albums. It really is a good mix of the two. This would probably also make a great gift if you know someone who loves the pipes and is in need of a bit of holiday cheer this season. Quite honestly, we could probably all use a bit of that in 2020. Take a look at the track lists and see if one of these albums piques your interest, or tune in and hear Laura MacKenzie for yourself on show #56: The Holly and The Ivy. Visit her website www.lauramackenzie.com.   The Celtic Christmas Podcast is free to enjoy. However, it is supported by the generosity of Celtic music fans like you over on Patreon. Get Christmas Cheer. Subscribe at CelticChristmasPodcast.com . Nollaig shona daoibh.