Kelley Hunt: “Winter Soulstice” (2022) CD Review

The holiday season, at its best, has the ability to bring folks together, without agenda, without demands. And in these highly divisive and lonesome times, that sort of thing is desired, even needed. Kelley Hunt’s new holiday release, Winter Soulstice, has the right energy, the honesty, the passion and the joy to pull folks together. The disc contains some of the classic holiday songs, such as “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Silent Night,” and also includes some original compositions. Kelley Hunt plays piano on these tracks, and is joined by James Albright on acoustic bass, Philippe Bronchtein on pedal steel, Brandon Graves on drums and percussion, Stan Kessler on trumpet, Ken Lovern on organ, Chris White on trombone, Todd Wilkinson on saxophone, Sascha Groschang on cello, and Laurel Parks on violin. Joining Kelley Hunt on vocals are Wanda Jae and Allena Ross.

The album opens with a lively, joyful rendition of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” This is gospel with the energy to lift us all to the heights of the mountains, and it features some delicious work on horns. Plus, there is a delightful lead on piano, itself having the power to raise our spirits, to shake off the blues and dispel troubles. But of course it is Kelley Hunt’s vocal performance that drives this rendition forward and upward with great joy. She then slows things down with “Ancient Bell,” which has a more thoughtful, contemplative vibe. This is an original composition by Kelley Hunt. “So ring it loud and clear/Ring it so loud that the world can hear it/Like a million voices singing/Though the darkest night, you can hear it ringing/You can hear it ringing.” I love the work on strings, and the way this song builds, gaining in power and beauty.

Kelley Hunt’s rendition of “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” has a tremendous amount of soul, and also touches of country, with that great work on pedal steel. This is an excellent version, featuring a passionate, earnest vocal performance. Why can’t peace on Earth be achieved? I still believe that music can accomplish it (if anything can), music like this. That’s followed by “Children Go Where I Send Thee.” The piano gets this one up and moving. It’s a lively track that will likely get you up and moving too, or at least smiling. You can feel the cheer approaching at the song’s beginning, and know it will soon overtake you. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself leaping to your feet and shouting “Hallelujah!”

“I can see the future coming with its bright lights on/And I don’t know how I see it, but I do/It’s just around the bend from where we’ve always been,” Kelley Hunt sings at the beginning of “Bright Lights.” Ah yes, we can certainly use that sort of optimism. This is an original number, written by Kelley Hunt, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, and Al Berman, and it is also a timely song, touching upon the protest in Ferguson and children at the border. “We must keep on moving forward/Things cannot remain the same/Cast off the bonds of hatred.” Kelley Hunt delivers another passionate performance. Plus, this track features some excellent work on strings. Then “Still Still Still” begins with some pretty work on piano, and features a beautiful vocal performance. “One can hear the falling snow/For all is hushed, the world is sleeping/Holy star, its vigil keeping.” This track has such a soothing, peaceful tone. It gives me hope. It is followed by one of the best Christmas songs, “Silent Night.” This version is soulful, and features some good work on organ. It has a warm tone, and even feels celebratory as it continues. This track also includes a beautiful instrumental section.

“You You You” is another original composition. It has a great, cool energy right from its opening moments, like a delicious jolt. It is remarkable how she is able to take a line like “I’ve got my milk and cookies” and make it drip and shake with several shades of cool. There is an unmistakable joy to this song. I love the horns. And check out that lead on keys in the second half. That’s followed by “Auld Lang Syne.” I think many of us are looking forward to New Year’s Eve, and to hearing this song, because it means an end to the foul year of 2022 (I’m not the only one who had a terrible year, right?). Here Kelley Hunt offers a moving, thoughtful rendition, easing out of this year, while holding onto whatever is best about the past. This gorgeous rendition features more wonderful work on strings. “Together we will drink a cup of kindness then.” She then offers a livelier, more rowdy take on the song in the reprise, to conclude the album. Now the horns are celebrating. Here we go! Bring on the New Year.

CD Track List

1. Go Tell It On The Mountain
2. Ancient Bell
3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. Children Go Where I Send Thee
5. Bright Lights
6. Still Still Still
7. Silent Night
8. You You You
9. Auld Lang Syne
10. Auld Lange Syne Reprise

Winter Soulstice was released on November 4, 2022 on 88 Records.