Annie Lennox is now considered one of the divas of the music business, and I mean that in a very positive way.
She was first a part of The Tourists, 1977-1980, with future bandmate Dave Stewart. Her next group was The Eurythmics, who would become one of the best known pop duos of the eighties. They would place 15 songs on The United States singles chart during the decade, including such hits as “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” and “Here Comes The Rain Again.” Four of their albums would also reach The American top twenty.
Her solo career has been just as successful as her recordings continue to sell in the millions. Her song, “Into The West,” recorded for Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King, won an Oscar and Golden Globe Award.
She has just released her first album of holiday music, which is appropriate since she was born on Christmas day. A Christmas Cornucopia has now joined the group of holiday recordings that will be enjoyed for years to come.
She has chosen both well known and obscure Christmas songs and tweaked them just enough to make them unique and interesting. While she maintains their traditional nature, she uses African drums and rhythms, a thirty piece orchestra, and an African children’s choir to enhance the beauty of the music and fill in the sound.
The centerpiece of any Annie Lennox album is her voice. It has held up well over the years and remains a powerful instrument. Her ability to belt out a song or give her own subtle interpretation remains intact.
A number of traditional hymns such as “Angels From The Realms Of Glory,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night” are all presented in their reverential beauty. “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” is a good example of additional rhythms that allow for some unexpected turns.
She also resurrects such lesser known holiday songs as “See Amid The Winter’s Snow,” “As Joseph Was Walking,” and “The Holly and The Ivy.” The album concludes with her own composition, “Universal Child,” which moves beyond just a holiday celebration as it continues her respect and love for the African people.
Annie Lennox has created an enchanting holiday album that will keep on giving. It is sure to reappear for many Christmas seasons to come.
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