However much I love metal and rock music, there will always be a very warm place in my heart for acoustic as there is no room to hide, everything has to be perfect as otherwise it will be jarring and there for all to hear. Margaret and Chris started playing together in November 2023, recording this set just six months later. They very quickly bonded over shared musical experiences as both have Czech musicians as fathers, so they grew up in similar backgrounds where polkas could be playing in the house, or classical, or country.

With just a nylon-string guitar and acoustic bass, they take us on a journey which is best heard on headphones as the use of space and reverb are essential to the pleasure of this, and they could well bs lost where there is ambient noise intruding. They interpret classic carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Away In A Manger”, and also take the music on interesting asides by using the melody of “Greensleeves” within “What Child Is This”? (I know it is an 16th century madrigal, but it always makes me think of Ritchie Blackmore). Not all the songs are what one would consider to be traditional Christmas numbers as they close with “Hallelujah” which is an interesting choice, consider the subject matter (which is both holy and horny according to many) but there is no doubt they do a fine job.

It is certainly a beautiful album in many ways, and I look forward to one where they do not constrain themselves just to the season.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://margaretslovak.com/