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It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will Taylor Read about,  listen to and support our music below. You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music? Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings Attached See more about it here.... "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (1849) – sometimes rendered as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" – is a poem and Christmas carolwritten by Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. Sears' lyrics are most commonly set to one of two melodies: "Carol," composed by Richard Storrs Willis, or "Noel," adapted from an English melody. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Buy the CD with any credit card ITUNES MP3'S or WAV files direct from the artist Call 512-589-8749 to order by phone. Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! ​SPOTIFY - Coming so Free Pick of the Week Or buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo Records Buy the CD with any credit card ITUNES MP3'S or WAV files direct from the artist Call 512-589-8749 to order by phone. Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!  ​SPOTIFY AMAZON The story behind Austin for Christmas All of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother.  She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of  many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful.     "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection.  Of reunion and reflection and gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter.  - KAREN MAL The story behind A Mandolin Christmas A jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished. A Mandolin Christmas        Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin,  TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating.      The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word.  It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar.  And that's it.  Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record.      "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz.  The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home.   You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up.       Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates.      If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season. Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more. Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music. WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.” ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.” Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~! Anywhere, not just where we live. More fan comments...

An episode of the Chritmas Songs, Carols and Music podcast, hosted by Will Taylor, titled "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" was published on December 17, 2011.

December 17, 2011 · Chritmas Songs, Carols and Music

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Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will Taylor Read about,  listen to and support our music below. You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music? Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings Attached See more about it here.... "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (1849) – sometimes rendered as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" – is a poem and Christmas carolwritten by Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. Sears' lyrics are most commonly set to one of two melodies: "Carol," composed by Richard Storrs Willis, or "Noel," adapted from an English melody. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Buy the CD with any credit card ITUNES MP3'S or WAV files direct from the artist Call 512-589-8749 to order by phone. Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally! ​SPOTIFY - Coming so Free Pick of the Week Or buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo Records Buy the CD with any credit card ITUNES MP3'S or WAV files direct from the artist Call 512-589-8749 to order by phone. Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!  ​SPOTIFY AMAZON The story behind Austin for Christmas All of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother.  She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of  many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful.     "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection.  Of reunion and reflection and gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter.  - KAREN MAL The story behind A Mandolin Christmas A jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished. A Mandolin Christmas        Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin,  TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating.      The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word.  It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar.  And that's it.  Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record.      "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz.  The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home.   You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up.       Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates.      If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season. Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn Colvin, P-Diddy, Willie Nelson, Ronny Cox (Deliverance) and many more. Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music. WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.” ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.” Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~! Anywhere, not just where we live. More fan comments...

Christmas and Holiday Music from Karen Mal & Will Taylor

Read about,  listen to and support our music below.

You listened to it free, but it wasn't free to make this music...so in this new world of the "free music, want to help out, do your part to support our continued creation of great acoustic music?

Read below or just signup to get all of our music as a patron of Strings Attached
See more about it here....


"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" (1849) – sometimes rendered as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" – is a poem and Christmas carolwritten by Edmund Sears, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. Sears' lyrics are most commonly set to one of two melodies: "Carol," composed by Richard Storrs Willis, or "Noel," adapted from an English melody. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia





  • Buy the CD with any credit card
  • ITUNES
  • MP3'S or WAV files direct from the artist
  • Call 512-589-8749 to order by phone.
  • Call me and I'll write a note and send it to them personally!
  • ​SPOTIFY - Coming so
  • Free Pick of the Week
  • Or buy it in AUSTIN texas at Waterloo Records


  • The story behind Austin for Christmas

    All of the songs in this collection were favorites of my mother.  She loved filling the house with Christmas decorations, smells of  many varieties of cookies baking, which she'd arrange in spectacular colorful gift trays, and of course Christmas music draped over the top of everything. She'd play the vinyl records on our massive stereo which was as long as our dining room table,.and she'd be as happy as we'd ever see her all year. Her happiness in itself was the best part of the season. It was contagious and it was fleeting. In our household, Christmas music represented the hope of another year, maybe a better year, and a momentary suspension of all things worrisome or sorrowful. 
       "Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there." We chose the songs with an underlying theme of togetherness. No matter where you fall on the religious/ spiritual spectrum, holidays are a time of connection.  Of reunion and reflection
    and gratitude. And being together as the bustling world mercifully grinds to a halt, creating a glow in the darkness of the long nights of winter.  - KAREN MAL

    The story behind A Mandolin Christmas

    A jazz musician, a folk artist, 20 fingers pulling 14 strings & 19 ancient melodies that time has polished.

    A Mandolin Christmas 

          Deep in the throes of the hottest summer on record in Austin,  TX, Karen Mal and Will Taylor decided to make a Christmas album. It was a 112-degree "Silent Night" in their un-airconditioned recording studio in August. Even the cat was sweating.      The couple had collaborated on many musical projects; his, hers, and their ensemble's, but a "Mandolin Christmas" is purely a duet in every sense of the word.  It's a dance between two partners: the mandolin and the classical guitar.  And that's it.  Karen and Will are perhaps better-known as vocalist and violinist, respectively, but as the tracks blossomed, the two instruments just didn't seem to want any company. There's a simple elegance in the combination that makes for a classic record.      "A Mandolin Christmas" is also a duet between traditional folk music and jazz.  The music includes pristine old-style classical arrangements, and also subtle and playful jazz harmonizations, weaving around familiar melodies that sound like home.   You can practically smell the sugar cookies coming out of the oven, see the kitchen windows steaming up.       Even the packaging is a duet. Karen staged the shots in their vegetable garden. That's a real Calabacita squash with the bow on it. (we ate it for Thanksgiving) Will took the photos and fit everything into the artwork templates.      If you like Christmas music even a little, you're going to love this album. You're going to love it again when you dig it out next year, and again and again, every holiday season.






    Violinist, composer and Austin Music Award winner Will Taylor has performed with Pearl Jam, Grammy winner Shawn ColvinP-DiddyWillie NelsonRonny Cox (Deliverance) and many more.
    Will and his musical friends from Austin, Texas light up your house with inspiring acoustic music.
    WASHINGTON POST–“Imaginatively orchestrated… multi-faceted… darting lyricism, and occasionally pensive moods, Taylor makes the grade with his deft touch and improvisatory skills.”

    ESQUIRE MAGAZINE–”As to the quality of the music and the professionalism, this production is far superior over the numerous recordings issued by the major record companies.”


    Learn how you can have Karen Mal & Will Taylor in your home here.~!
    Anywhere, not just where we live.

    More fan comments...
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    Christmas Songs, Music and Carols Music for the Holidays from Strings Attached Acoustic Christmas Songs, Music and Carols to accompany your holiday or xmas activities. Perfect to set the mood while you bake cookies or visit with the family during the Christmas Holidays. Buy all of the selections on itunes under A Mandolin Christmas by Karen Mal and Will Taylor or visit AMandolinChristmas.com Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols America Media It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The cookies, the mistletoe, the lights...oh, and the music! For Christians, Christmas carols mark a season of hope and the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Even in popular culture, these iconic jingles capture a warmth, a cheer and a nostalgia that transcends religious belonging.But where do these beloved yuletide songs come from? What inspired the people who composed them? How did they become popular and even mainstream? And what impact do their ancient Christian messages have on an increasingly post-Christian culture?America Media presents “Hark!” a podcast on the meaning and the making of our most beloved Christmas carols and their time-honored traditions.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Inception Point Ai A Christmas carol is a festive song, typically imbued with seasonal themes, that is associated with the Christmas season. Carols are often rich in history, originating from medieval times and evolving over centuries. They are characterized by their joyous melodies and lyrics that celebrate the nativity of Jesus Christ, the spirit of giving, the warmth of family gatherings, and the wonders of the winter season.Traditional carols like "Silent Night," "O Holy Night," and "Joy to the World" have religious roots and retell parts of the nativity story, focusing on themes like peace, hope, and divine love. Others, such as "Jingle Bells" or "Deck the Halls," are more secular, highlighting the merriment of the holidays with references to sleigh rides, festive decorations, and winter activities.The music of carols ranges from simple, catchy tunes that are easy to sing along to, to more complex arrangements suited for choirs and orchestras. They are often performed in a variety of settings during Christmas Carols, Hymns and Songs Free Christmas Carols, Hymns and Songs Free Christmas Carols, Hymns and Songs Free for you to enjoy during the Christmas Season from Shiloh Worship Music as we remember that “Jesus Is The Reason For The Season”. Many different styles of Music from Traditional to Contemporary. May you have a Blessed Christmas Season as you contemplate and celebrate the birth of our Savior the Lord Jesus! Although our music is copyrighted ©2000-2012 Shiloh Worship Music, to prevent misuse, feel free to pass this music around for any and all non-commercial use. Jesus said, “freely you have received, freely give!”
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