A Broom with a View From the Halloween Carols

Abstract

A Trick-or-Treater's satchel of sweet Halloween music for elegant witches, fervid vampires, quirky kitties, maudlin ghosts, the contended sleeping dead, and head-banging pagans everywhere. Mostly Ghostly – A maudlin but mercurial ghost bemoans the lack of physical brains, wailing with a massive pipe organ.

A Broom With A View – The intriguing Halloween night sky invites a sensory-appreciating witch out for a joy ride on her broom. Organ, piano, and strings set this witch “ablaze” as she takes in the beauty and wonder of October.

Souling Song – All Hallows Version – Traditional English melody and lyrics about the practice of “souling” – offering prayers for people’s beloved departed in exchange for soul cakes. Arrangement and additional melodies by Kristen. Cathedral bells and organ ring out on “All Souls’ Day” (November 2) as the soulers go about this Christian custom.

Souling Song – Samhain Version – A different take on the traditional song, describing the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, where the dead were believed to visit the earth, accept food offerings, and share their magic. Arrangement, additional melodies, and new lyrics by Kristen. Drums, organ, electric guitar and bass, and voices dance together like wild pagans around a Samhain bonfire.

Dark Glass – Written about a mesmerizing dream Kristen had with surreal Halloween imagery. Windy sounds and distant voices set against organ and strings give the impression of floating through the sky.

Cats In The Catacombs – A xylophone-bone-clinking romp with organ and piano where cats lurking around the catacombs get “spooked to poofs of nerves and fur.” Featuring a feline-esque cello.

Sleeping Dust (“The Death Lullaby”) – Ashes To Ashes Version – A sweet, plaintive lullaby about death to sing to the dead or the living. Organ, piano, celesta, and humming take us from simple beginnings to simple endings with a world of intensity in between.

Flappy Bat – Mostly Ghostly – A maudlin but mercurial ghost bemoans the lack of physical brains, wailing with a massive pipe organ.

A Broom With A View – The intriguing Halloween night sky invites a sensory-appreciating witch out for a joy ride on her broom. Organ, piano, and strings set this witch “ablaze” as she takes in the beauty and wonder of October.

Souling Song – All Hallows Version – Traditional English melody and lyrics about the practice of “souling” – offering prayers for people’s beloved departed in exchange for soul cakes. Arrangement and additional melodies by Kristen. Cathedral bells and organ ring out on “All Souls’ Day” (November 2) as the soulers go about this Christian custom.

Souling Song – Samhain Version – A different take on the traditional song, describing the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, where the dead were believed to visit the earth, accept food offerings, and share their magic. Arrangement, additional melodies, and new lyrics by Kristen. Drums, organ, electric guitar and bass, and voices dance together like wild pagans around a Samhain bonfire.

Dark Glass – Written about a mesmerizing dream Kristen had with surreal Halloween imagery. Windy sounds and distant voices set against organ and strings give the impression of floating through the sky.

Cats In The Catacombs – A xylophone-bone-clinking romp with organ and piano where cats lurking around the catacombs get “spooked to poofs of nerves and fur.” Featuring a feline-esque cello.

Sleeping Dust (“The Death Lullaby”) – Ashes To Ashes Version – A sweet, plaintive lullaby about death to sing to the dead or the living. Organ, piano, celesta, and humming take us from simple beginnings to simple endings with a world of intensity in between.

Flappy Bat – The old Samhain bonfires attracted insects, which in turn attracted bats. In medieval times, burning witches at the stake attracted bats for the same reason, deepening the Halloween association. This carol’s vocal duet and patterns in the strings sound like the flapping wings of bats.

Vampire Empire – A saucy invitation from a vampire to a mortal to become one of the blood-hungry undead. A majestic organ and wicked harpsichord waltz together while two kick drums thump like heartbeats.

Vampire Empire – A saucy invitation from a vampire to a mortal to become one of the blood-hungry undead. A majestic organ and wicked harpsichord waltz together while two kick drums thump like heartbeats.