Newtown Recording Studio Has Released A New Approach To Traditional Christmas Music

A new music CD has been released by Newtown-based Azure Spring Music featuring the songs of Matt Mattingly and Carolyn Cavanagh.

The CD, entitled Christ Is Born, is a new approach to the traditional Christmas music. While respecting the classics, Mr Mattingly and Ms Cavanagh have weaved together a soft and sweet gentle message of God’s love with musical distinctiveness.

The project was birthed out of an array of lullabies Ms Cavanagh sung to her daughter Kathryn over the years. After hearing countless repeats of Christmas carols, she wanted to record Christmas songs that would be a gift to her daughter — one she could always carry with her as a reminder of her mother’s love.

She worked at variations for treating a powerful subject in a powerful way while going beyond former constructs of what comprises a Christmas song in the first place. As the project continued it grew a new and deeper element of the Christmas Story as Ms Cavanagh, who lives in Woodbury, added the talents of singer/composer Matt Mattingly, a resident of Seymour.

“He brought in a whole new set of new perspectives from the side of Joseph and the wise men that are captivatingly different,” said Ms Cavanagh.

(The album’s birth, as mentioned in its liner notes, was also in part due to the loss of Ms Cavanagh’s mother. Because of this, Ms Cavanagh began an introspective look at her life and what she was leaving for her own daughter.)

One of the features of the album is the unique blend of musical styles between Mr Mattingly and Ms Cavanagh. They are very complementary to one another, yet create a positive friction that adds a true vibrancy to the songs and the arrangements.

Although geared to the contemporary Christian market, the musicians are confident Christ Is Born will have a smooth crossover to a span of genres through the holiday season.

Above all, the artists have developed an album they hope won’t be the kind that one realizes has ended when the silence is noticed. The lyrics and composition will hold the attention of the listener because it has all been crafted to speak to people about a vivid message of God’s love and gift to all.

“The project has had its moments,” admitted Mr Mattingly, “especially when you consider the expense of an independently produced album like this. But the end result is worth it. We have been blessed in this endeavor and it has turned out to be a gem we can all be proud of.”

Both artists agreed that taking music from sketchy ideas to fruition was a difficult task.

“I believe God’s hand was in this project from the start,” said Ms Cavanagh, “and he provided the means for us as we needed help. The album has been a true labor of concentration, sacrifice, and love.”

The project has been in process since the fall of 2002 and was released just in time for people to enjoy as the holidays approach.

Mr Mattingly has been involved with music for well over 25 years. His musical career began about the time he grew tall enough to reach the keys of an old piano in the shed of his childhood home in North Anson, Maine.

After a decade or so hiatus he returned to his music with a new and different level of energy.

“I returned to acting and music because it was something I had to do. I was compelled — I had no choice,” said Mr Mattingly.

His music career was primarily leading music in churches where the soul work must truly touch the heart of worship. He then wrote a piece for the 1988 film Rain Man, and also acted on screen for the movie, playing an autistic savant.

After working on backup vocals on Ms Cavanagh’s, songs she invited him into the entire Christ Is Born project.

Ms Cavanagh has been writing, recording and performing music for over 15 years. Now about to go on tour with Christ Is Born she enters the familiar realm of travel and new acquaintances. She feels very much at home with concerts and touring, once again a part of her life as a singer musician.

“It’s like an old friend’s welcomed return,” said Ms Cavanagh.

She spent most of her early career touring and singing with the pianist and composer Jeffery Watson.

Ms Cavanagh worked as a choir director for the Irondequoit Community Chorus and the Christ Church Choir in East Greenwich, R.I. Underdog Entertainment called on Ms Cavanagh to record a Hallmark commercial and were thrilled with her “Enya-like” vocals. She also drew interest with Maine-based composer Tim Janis who invited her to share a Christmas concert with him and his ensemble at Messiah Christian Church, Wells, Maine, in 2003.

The album was recorded primarily at Virtual Productions in Newtown, a privately owned production studio tucked back into the woods of the Historic Hattertown area.

Owner/producer Mike Damon also wrote the arrangements for most of the original music. Professional musicians were brought in from New York City, Maine, and Connecticut. Mr Damon’s credits include CD releases for artists in myriad genres, as well as composition and sound design for films, TV, and games.

Copies of Christ Is Born ($11.98 each) are available online directly from the recording studio. Song samples can also be heard online, at www.AzureSpringMusic.com.

Check the website for updated information about local performances by Ms Cavanagh and Mr Mattingly.

For additional information, Virtual Productions can be reached at 364-1642.