Caitríona O'Leary - The Wexford Carols (2014)

Acclaimed Irish soprano Caitríona O'Leary takes a bit of a left turn on her 2014 holiday release The Wexford Carols. Generally known as an innovative voice in both early music and Irish folk, the Donegal native teamed up with Grammy-winning American producer Joe Henry to deliver a rare and well-researched set of Christmas carols that blend together Irish folk, Americana, blues, and gospel. O'Leary's crystalline voice is nicely juxtaposed against the rustic sounds of fretless banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitar, and drums, making for a warm and enchanting blend. Even more unique are the vocal pairings on this genre-hopping project that features an eclectic group of guests like pop icon Tom Jones, country legend Rosanne Cash, and Rhiannon Giddens from the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Full of spirited performances and emotional depth, The Wexford Carols is captivating from start to finish.