Multi award winning and internati onally acclaimed Irish folk singer Cara Dillon, captures the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ancient and modern providing a welcome anti dote to 21st century Yuletide excess. Upon it’s initial release in November 2016 “Upon A Winter’s Night” entered the UK Indie Album Breakers Chart at No.1. It went back to No.1 the week before Christmas 2016. For Christmas 2017, this time it is available on vinyl.

Here, the story of Christmas is retold and explored through an array of musical guises brimming with gravitas, reverence, mythology and atmosphere. Along the way the mood shift s from joyous wonder to reflection, faith and celebration.

Traditional favourites “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “O Holy Night” are as stunning as anything in Cara’s back catalogue, the latter being an arresting a-cappella version sung with her sister Mary Dillon. Other highlights include the atmospheric “Wexford Carol” with newly added cinematic instrumental sections.

Sitting perfectly alongside these classics are three originals writt en by Cara and long ti me musical partner, Sam Lakeman, including the dynamic title track “Upon A Winter’s Night”. “Standing By My Christmas Tree”, a secular reflection touching on the loneliness and nostalgia felt at Christmas. The final original, “Mother Mary”, envisages the Virgin Mary soothing her newborn in a delicate and pensive lullaby “Go to sleep my darling child, for at your feet will fall, the hopes and prayers of all…I am your Mother Mary”.

There is another side to Christmas…far away from Bing crooning and Noddy screaming…it’s a place where the story of Jesus’ birth is retold with genuine wonder and celebrated with the dignity, passion and beauty it deserves.