Cassette Review #2 - Christmas Selections on the Pipe Organ - Casey Cantwell
A Christmas album even I can get behind!
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday! This is not going to be a traditional review - though this is not a traditional album, so I think it’d be rather fitting. So, sit back, pour some cocoa or coffee, and get ready for some incredible Christmas music.
All photos courtesy of Cult Love Sound Tapes.
Casey Cantwell next to the M.P. Möller Opus 9606 built in 1961.
As I said in the preamble, this won’t be a traditional review - mainly because I don’t feel informed or well-versed enough in the world of classical music/composition to give an in-depth review. I will give my thoughts on the album and what I enjoy most about it near the end, but until then, I’d rather point your attention to the incredible people and story behind the making of this one-of-a-kind Christmas album.
Cult Love Sound Tapes is a collective based here in Tulsa that, among many many other things, releases cassette tapes. With releases in punk, avante-garde, cybergrind, noise, and essentially anything alternative under their belts, what was it that inspired a Christmas album? Here’s what Cult Love founding alumn, Natty Gray, had to say about its inception on a recent episode of the Songs of Our Lives podcast:
“It’s kind of been a bucketlist item project for me. I’m really into Christmas music and I’m a really nostalgic individual. I especially like more traditional Christmas music and less Frank Sinatra Does the Holidays type of thing. I think, personally, I wanted an album that was richly tradtional but also still had appeal to people who like drone and experiemental music and just people who appreciate less common music, despite its traditionalism.”
Natty Gray in the pews of Trinity Episcopal Church
When taking a look at Christmas Selections, you would think that it is about as traditional as one could get and you would be right, it doesn’t get more traditional than playing hyper-obscure (to you and me, most likely) hymnals on a real-deal pipe organ. However, as a fan of dungeon synth and experimental drone, this scratches an itch I didn’t know I had - wanting to hear real instruments. Don’t get me wrong, I love the synthesizer in both physical and VST form and am not discrediting the use of them at all - but, damn, it’s really hard to beat the sound of an actual pipe organ ringing out inside a huge room - more specifically, the congregation hall of Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa.
The stained glass window in the main congregation hall.
Casey Cantwell, the music director and organist for Trinity, is behind the masterful playing heard on the album. You can tell that Mr. Cantwell is an incredibly dedicated and studied student of the instrument by how effortlessly he makes use of the organ’s broad spectrum of sound. While one moment the playing may feel light and feathery, other moments feel as though the walls of the church could come down around the organ itself with how thunderous the instrument can be - and it simply couldn’t be accomplished by a run-of-the-mill pianist. The biggest display of his talents would be in the B-side improvisations. They really need to be heard to be done justice, but I will say that it always manages to blow my mind when I think about how this man can just belt out 5 minutes of improvised music based on his knowledge of a pre-existing piece. Absolutely insane.
My Thoughts
Now, I don’t fancy myself the biggest fan of Christmas music, or at least the Christmas music that is pumped through every radio frequency on repeat starting November 1st - if I never hear Blue Christmas by Elvis ever again, I think I’d be a happier person at the end of my life. However, I am not entirely immune to certain seasonal trends and traditions. Apple cider, White Christmas, and Reese’s peanut butter Christmas trees are all like warm blankets to me during this time of year, and Christmas Selections on the Pipe Organ has earned a special place in my heart and my holiday music rotation. First things first, the production is stellar. The warmth of the recording makes me feel as though I’m in the presence of a crackling fire no matter where I’m at. So much attention was paid to how this project was recorded and it shines through in every track - the deep, low resonance and the shimmering highs are brilliantly captured to provide the listener with a truly immersive experience.
Cult Love and crew setting up the hall for recording.
One could only get a more authentic sound if they were present in the pews. Another one of my other favorite things about this album is the track listing. Mr. Cantwell really made the right call by choosing a more obscure selection for this project - I’ve heard Jingle Bells and Silent Night, I don’t need another rendition. As for the few songs on here that I do recognize by name such as Auld Lang Syne and Carol of the Bells, they appear as incredible improvisations on the B-side that have a new life breathed into them by the majesty of the organ and the talent of Mr. Cantwell. Cult Love, Casey Cantwell, and all involved parties really knocked it out of the park with this unexpected treat that I feel can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
The cassette is limited to an edition of 75 and can be purchased here.
Happy holidays and happy new year.