The Christmas celebration makes us think of heaven. In heaven, there are angels. And angels, as mankind has believed through the ages, sing. Maybe when they do, they sound like the heavenly voices of Libera. This is why the boy group from the UK now plays a major part in the holidays in many parts of the world. When people want to think of the beauty of heaven and the glorious sound of angels on Christmas, they listen to the music of Libera.
It is no wonder that they named Libera’s latest album Angels Sing Christmas in Ireland. This is the group’s first live recording after several years and it happened at the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh in Ireland. The acoustics are superb and I think no venue could have been more fitting for this production. As the beautiful voices rise in song, each selection becomes a heartfelt prayer soaring up to heaven.
What makes the album more remarkable is the fact that a Filipino had a hand in making it possible. Former Finance Secretary Roberto “Bobby” de Ocampo, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Veterans Bank, is the associate producer of Christmas In Ireland. He had also been involved in previous Libera albums. He was, in fact, responsible for the group’s landmark recording of the Filipino carol, Himig Pasko, in Libera’s first Christmas album. He also brought the boys over to the Philippines for several live performances.
De Ocampo must be very proud of his accomplishment. Christmas In Ireland is a wondrous collection of pop and traditional Christmas songs directed and conducted by the moving force behind Libera, Robert Prizeman. The membership of the group constantly changes as the boys grow up and move on to other endeavors. The sound though remains constant, unchanging as the talented new recruits meet the challenge and produce the same time-tested quality.
The old favorites are all here. Joy To The World, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, Angels We Have Heard On High, Sanctus from the Mass, O Holy Night, Gaudete for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Away In A Manger, Silent Night, What Child Is This and the pop ballads that have become as loved as the old-time carols Carol Of The Bells and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Music lovers will also find the addition of lovely, though less familiar Christmas songs interesting led by an incredible a cappella rendition of the Irish folk song Danny Boy. There is the Irish traditional, The Wexford Carol (Carul Loch Garman), the timeless German song In Dulci Jubilo, and not to be missed, what has become a Libera standard, Still Still Still, an old Austrian melody given new lyrics by Prizeman.
If you want quiet, contemplative moments during your Christmas celebration, then Libera’s Christmas In Ireland is the album for you.
For a pop side to the holiday merrymaking, here are the songs that became part of the soundtrack of millions in the days leading up to Christmas day. As per the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the organization that charts music use in the US and other parts of the world, here are the Top 30 most performed non-traditional Christmas songs of the year.
1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
3. White Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Jingle Bell Rock
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
10. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
11. Little Drummer Boy
12. Silver Bells
13. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
14. Frosty The Snowman
15. Blue Christmas
16. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
17. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
18. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
19. Do You Hear What I Hear?
20. Carol Of The Bells
21. Feliz Navidad
22. Have A Holly Jolly Christmas
23. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
24. Last Christmas
25. Home For The Holidays
26. Wonderful Christmastime
27. Happy Holidays
28. All I Want For Christmas Is You
29. Santa Baby
30. This Christmas
Enjoy them and all your other favorites for a few more days. Store up more memories and fill your hearts with the beauty and all the blessings that Christmas brings. Merry Christmas.