- Bryon Harris
Kate Magdalena - 'Cherry Tree Carol'
Music Review by Victoira Scott & Staff
“Cherry Tree Carol,” a beautiful Christmas song and story; is made even more beautiful with the enchanting vocals of Kate Magdalena.
The introduction, with humming electric and acoustic guitar, has a mystical atmosphere. The Celtic influences in the melody are emphasized in the cello, bass, drums, and penny whistle. The instruments create an ancient landscape of gorgeous sounds. The small nuances are spectacular like staccato plucking on the strings when Kate sings, "Pluck me a cherry Joseph." As the song progresses, the drums pick up the beat, the electric guitar is more prominent, and the stunning Celtic penny whistle embellishes the melody. At the second to last verse, the vocals and penny whistle take over with a mesmerizing harmony. The arrangement sweeps you away. The acoustic guitar is played by Luca Brown; Jonathan Crone is on electric guitar; Jared Kneale, drums; Bryon House, bass; and the penny whistle is performed flawlessly by Sam Levine. From the arrangement to the gorgeous vocals of Kate Magdalena to the production by Billy Smiley and engineering by Billy Whittington - Kate's cover of "Cherry Tree Carol" is a magical piece of work.
The “Cherry Tree Carol” is the ancient bible story from 650 A.D. It tells the story of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem. When they pass a cherry orchard, Joseph heard an angel. The divine son, Jesus, within Mary was questioned by Joseph and an angel washes his doubts away.
"Then Mary plucked a cherry as red as any blood. Mary, she went homeward all with her heavy load and Mary, she went homeward all with her heavy load. As Joseph was walking, he heard an angel sing, this night on earth there shall be born your heavenly king. This night on earth there shall be born your heavenly king.”
"The Cherry Tree Carol" is the story of Mary and Joseph and the message of Christmas.
Kate Magdalena’s beautiful rendition will stop you in your tracks. Kate’s performance is breathtaking, her lyrics are well-executed, and the song leaves you with a sense of peace and calm, and perhaps a tear in your eye - it's that moving.
About Kate Magdalena
Kate Magdalena is an emerging independent artist out of the San Francisco Bay Area. She calls her genre “Timely Americana,” as she is inspired to write for the present, which has its unique critical challenges. Kate sees the world in robust transformation as the ripest subject for her songwriting, and her songs address such issues as the preservation of the natural world, homelessness, the political landscape, friendship and loss, and love of country.
This past November, Kate released her second album of original music, A Larger Dance, with Grammy nominated producer Billy Smiley (Johnny Cash, WhiteHeart, Clay Aiken). Her first single from this collection, “Take Me To Church,” was released in March, followed by “Be the Lark,” “Streets of Any Town,” and “New Earth.” She also includes songs by Leonard Cohen, Sinead O’Connor, and Crosby, Stills & Nash on the album. A Larger Dance features some of Nashville's finest musicians – Fred Eltringham (The Wallflowers and Sheryl Crow), Byron House (Robert Plant and the Band of Joy), Blair Masters (Garth Brooks) and Brennan Smiley (The Technicolors).
Kate’s first album Acquainted With the Night was released in 2018 and contains the song “United (to Save the World)” which was featured in On Peace Street by BWH Music Group. She is planning to release her third album Canyonlands in early summer 2020.
Two of Kate's Christmas Songs, "Cherry Tree Carol" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" Are On National Indie Radio (WNIR)
"Cherry Tree Carol" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" Performed by Kate Magdalena are in rotation on National Indie Radio (WNIR) from December 1st through December 31st as part of BWH Music Group’s Holiday Radio Special. Kate's songs open the special program. WNIR features the best independent artists in the world and is part of the highly selective and nationally renowned BWH Music Group platform. The Holiday Radio Special will feature original holiday songs as well as covers by exceptional independent artists. Station information can be found at National Indie Radio’s website.
Two of Kate's Christmas Songs, "Cherry Tree Carol" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" Are On National Indie Radio (WNIR)
"Cherry Tree Carol" and "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" Performed by Kate Magdalena are in rotation on National Indie Radio (WNIR) from December 1st through December 31st as part of BWH Music Group’s Holiday Radio Special. Kate's songs open the special program. WNIR features the best independent artists in the world and is part of the highly selective and nationally renowned BWH Music Group platform. The Holiday Radio Special will feature original holiday songs as well as covers by exceptional independent artists. Station information can be found at National Indie Radio’s website.
For more information on Kate Magdalena, please visit her website.
To listen to "Cherry Tree Carol" and to access links to Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon, click here.
Listen to "Cherry Tree Carol" on Spotify.
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