Mark Saunders & Margo Hennebach

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Comfort and Joy

"Hennebach's ability to convey an authentic sense of tradition with elegant simplicity and tonal grace carries the true sense of the songs and carols over every barrier. ["Comfort and Joy"] is an inevitable collector's treasure."
Gary Alexander -- Woodstock Times, Dec 10, 1998

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"More Christmas Cheer. A newly released Christmas CD from the Oberlin grad/vocalist Margo Hennebach and instrumentalist Mark Saunders, Comfort and Joy (1-800-Prime CD), wonderfully succeeds in overcoming any intergenerational issues that often strike holiday efforts from contemporary artists: Aggressive re-arrangements of favorite carols may greatly please fans eager to escape any hint of schmaltz, but unfamiliar takes on traditional tunes can easily send Grandma fleeing. Not so here; Comfort and Joy provides a most pleasant comfort level for all ages. The musicianship, production quality and arrangements from this New England-based duo are top-notch and the harmonies, guitar, violin and piano elements are moving. The crystal-clear renditions bring to mind a spirited caroling concert at a candle-lit country church, while at the same time keeping up with this generation's affinity for state-of-the-art quality. Among the pieces are "God Rest You Merry," "We Three Kings," "Joy To the World," and "I Saw Three Ships." An instrumental Irish medley is included along with a wonderful Czech carol called "Rocking" and two original compositions from Hennebach and Saunders that feel traditional. A Hennebach watercolor graces the cover, and the music inside combines the best of modern production values with old-time tradition."
James E. Guyette -- WRUW-FM/The Cleveland Free Times

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"On a more seasonal note, we mentioned a couple of weeks ago that singer/pianist Margo Hennebach would be releasing a Christmas disc with her husband and guitarist Mark Saunders. That CD, Comfort and Joy, was released independently last week, and it's one of the most interesting holiday discs I've heard. Digitally recorded at Hennebach and Saunders' Bloomfield home, these songs are big-sounding gems, with two originals accompanying old standards ranging from English to classical and Czechoslovakian tunes."

"The Hennebach/Saunders combination incorporates a distinct rock edge to these folk-oriented songs, giving them an extra sparkle. The two trade vocals and sing harmonies on an exquisite guitar-based version of John Henry Hopkins' "We Three Kings," which includes violin by Katie Lansdale. The effect is both calming and inspirational. For information on Hennebach/Saunders, write to Fireflies & Windows Music, PO Box 7511, Bloomfield, CT 06002 [or call 1-800 Prime CD]."
Michael Marciano, Hartford Advocate, Dec 17, 1998

SONGS

Listen to RealAudio Sound Samples from Comfort & Joy

THE PLAYERS

Margo: vocals, keyboard and piano
Mark: vocals, acoustic guitar and glockenspeil
Katie Lansdale: violin on "We Three Kings".

[Listen to RealAudio Sound Samples from Comfort & Joy]

[Buy Comfort and Joy online now!]