“A Christmas Gift” from Branden & James

Branden & James are a music duo whose collaboration brings the power of the operatic voice, with the warmth of the cello for all-around musical richness. Their Christmas offering “A Christmas Gift” due November 18 is beautifully stripped back with only vocals, cello, and piano on the majority of tracks.

For a Holiday album, they have managed to present a tracklist of rarer finds alongside much-loved standards. The production very much feels as though the listener is being serenaded by the fireplace. You can even hear occasional inhalations from James on exposed cello solo moments.

The duo, along with arranger James Clark, breathes new meaning into “I’ll be Home for Christmas” by combining it with the sentimental Broadway favorite “Bring Him Home.” The pairing brings aching melancholy to the track that is often performed with cheerful resignation.

Branden is clearly a talented vocalist who can adapt his classical training to a variety of styles but there are moments when the listener wishes he had the material to fully embrace his operatic instincts. However, it’s clear the repertoire choices make for a cohesive album.

Highlights on the album include “Caro Gesu Bambino,” the lovely duet of “Be Still” with American Idol alum Effie Passero, and “Bread of Heaven.” The stand-out though is the new interpretation of Bing Crosby’s “Blanca Navidad.” This shows Branden at his crossover finest and really draws in the listener with the addition of guitar, by Al Ramirez, to supplement James’ emotional cello. This track alone makes downloading the whole album worthwhile.

Exceptional 7/10 ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

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Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.