Bella Hardy - Bright Morning Star (2012)

A glittering collection of seasonal treats, celebrate the festive season in song with folk award winner Bella Hardy's 'Bright Morning Star'. 'Bright Morning Sta'r is a glittering collection of festive treats, from Bella's local Castleton carols 'Sons of Men' and 'Peace O'er The World', to well known classics 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. There's traditional favourites such as 'Sing Ovy, Sing Ivy' and 'The Coventry Caro'l, which Bella first performed for Howard Goodall's 'The Truth About Carols' which broadcast on BBC 2, Christmas Day 2008. There's even a bit of Shakin' Stevens ('Merry Christmas Everyone') and Barenaked Ladies ('Footprints'). From Edale in the Peak District, Christmas songs have long been Bella's local speciality; people flock from far and wide to sing north Derbyshire's local carols, and in these dark months, the villages are lit up with song to celebrate the season of hope and community. Famed for her soaring and captivating voice, Bella inhabits her characters and spins her stories with an equal balance of strength and sensitivity. She presents folk songs in the best tradition, not as antiquated museum pieces, but as relevant and very human artworks.