John Cowan Finds Comfort and Joy at Christmas

Posted: December 2nd, 2009 at 2:19 pm | By: Craig Shelburne

One of the most expressive vocalists in Nashville, John Cowan is ringing in the holiday season with a new album, Comfort and Joy. If you're throwing a Christmas dinner party, you should consider getting this album to set a stylish mood because this elegant collection of Christmas favorites is just restrained enough to blend into the background. However, if your guests catch Cowan's commanding rendition of "O Holy Night," you'll certainly hear them ask, "Who the heck is that singer?" In that case, you can inform them that Cowan used to sing in New Grass Revival and that he remains a popular draws at festivals like Telluride and MerleFest. Cowan dedicates the album to his late father and that tenderness is evident in renditions of "Silent Night" and "The Christmas Song." If you like a little bit of mandolin and fiddle with your R&B (and I don't mean ribbons and bows), may this album bring you comfort and joy.