An Evening in December: A Cappella Christmas

Description

An Evening in December: A Cappella Christmas is the debut album by the American vocal trio First Call (Mel Tunney, Bonnie Keen, as well as Marty McCall of Fireworks fame), released on DaySpring Records in 1985, a division of Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded at Treasure Isle in Nashville, Tennessee, using the 3M Digital Recording Process, arranged by David Maddux with Steven V. Taylor producing.

The group’s name refers to its Nashville reputation as the first group of people to call for background vocals, session singing and commercial jingles.

An Evening In December: A Cappella Christmas is the first of three Christmas album by the group (with An Evening in December, Volume Two and Beyond December following in 1987 and 1995, respectively). It sold very well in the Christian music market, and propelled the trio into their own music projects.

In the US this has been long considered a Christmas classic and when originally released in 1985 catapulted First Call from the relative anonymity of the providers of backup for Sandy Patty and Nashville session singers to bona fide Christian music stars, not to mention gaining First Call a Grammy nomination. Now, thanks to Discovery House Music (Everlasting Books & Music in the UK), the album is back in catalogue again and no doubt will find a niche with those who like the idea of Christmas carols and songs given elaborate acapella arrangements. It has to be said that the harmonies displayed here are absolutely stunning and the blend of voices displayed by Marty McCall, Bonnie Keen and Mel Tunney is dazzlingly inventive so that even the most hackneyed of yuletide anthems («The First Noel», «O Come O Come Emanuel», «Joy To The World») take on a fresh sparkle. Marty McCall’s classical training and his knowledge of medieval and renaissance music are brought to full effect here. The “and friends” do their part too with Cynthia Clawson, Wayne Watson and David Meece all offering pleasing lead vocals. Only the cheesy rendition of «Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas» featuring Dave Boyer lets the side down. But compared with the yuletide dross annually dished out by the CCM companies each year, this is still a Christmas album deserving of its high reputation. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, October 2006]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/an-evening-in-december/1165902171)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “An Evening In December” (Soloist: Kelly Nelon Thompson) – 4:53
A2. Medley: “Joy To The World”; “O Come All Ye Faithful”; “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”; “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” (Soloist: Wayne Watson) – 4:16
A3. “Starlight” – 3:09
A4. “How Great Our Joy!” – 1:46
A5. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (Soloist: Cynthia Clawson) – 3:03

Side Two
B1. “The First Noel” – 2:33
B2. “One Small Child” (Soloist: David Meece) – 3:03
B3. “When Jesus Was A Tiny Baby” – 3:09
B4. “Lo! How A Rose E’re Blooming” – 2:01
B5. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (Soloist: Dave Boyer) – 3:44
B6. “The New Twelve Days Of Christmas”/”We Wish You A Merry Christmas” – 5:01

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by DaySpring Records. Later re-issued on CD. Re-issued again on CD in 1995 by Word with distribution by Epic ‎Records.

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