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Present is a six-song Christmas EP crafted by frequent traveling companions Beki Hemingway and Jonathan Rundman. The joke that Rundman made during production was that this CD could be called "O Santa Where Art Thou?", as it is based musically in the acoustic country/rock/Americana vein, featuring banjo, mandolin, accordion, and steel guitar at different points.

The project begins with Beki singing "O Come O Come Emmanuel" -- this song would not be out of place on the recent Your King Has Come compilation. Hemingway is in fine voice and ranges into Gillian Welch/Emmylou Harris territory on this song. Rundman picks up the vocals on "This Old Town Tonight," a view from Bethlehem at the time of Christ's birth.

"Coventry Carol" features accordion and mandolin, with Beki taking the lead again. A country-flavored duet follows, with Jonathan and Beki trading vocals and harmonies on "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming." Rundman then performs "Out Behind the Old Hotel," which is reminiscent of a Sound Theology outtake. The CD closes with "Away in a Manger," featuring Beki's vocals.

This CD is a limited edition available through Paste Music. Only 300 copies were pressed. I advise anyone who reads this to purchase one immediately -- my only complaint is this CD is too short! These two artists always work well together (check out their duets on Rundman's Field Recordings), and along with Randy Kerkman's guitar work, would do well to consider forming a permanent partnership. Of course, they would still have to be allowed to do solo work -- both of them do that too well to give that up.

Hemingway continues to show that her vocal range is seemingly without limit. She can scream with the best loud rockers, or perform the stripped down sound as exhibited here. Rundman follows his Paul Westerburg meets Neil Young vocals with witty, intelligent songwriting, which is a wonderful match of two relatively unknown talents here.

Brian A. Smith  12/23/2001