the accidentals

"Their homage to cult rotten film director Ed Wood, Jr. is just one example of what makes them unique.... inspired." - Roy Sander, Backstage

"This group’s irreverent sense of humor inspired Denis Leary to feature them in his
Merry F#$%n’ Christmas special on Comedy Central.” - NYmag.com

This uber-talented group is led by Margaret Dorn, someone we reviewed 10 years ago when she sang as part of the legendary Carolling Carollers (see here). Not surprisingly then, An Accidental Christmas: A Cappella Holiday Classics is a home run.

Just as the album title suggests, this is outstanding, straight-up, a cappella singing of Christmas offerings. The song selection is broad--20 tracks cover the gamut, from hushed sacred numbers to high-spirited, contemporary, secular pieces.

The success of offerings like this turns on the quality and precision of the voices, and these vocal instruments are priceless. This award-winning group features professional singers from various parts of the music industry. Listening to the Accidentals is like having the world's most amazing group of carolers in your living room throughout the holiday season. Each piece is beautifully executed, each arrangement is well-crafted, and each note is delivered with heart and grace. This is wonderful music.

Although most tracks are not played for humor, the Accidentals are also famous for their off-center sense of fun. In fact, the album's centerpiece is Rudiana, an outrageous take-off of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Arranged by Bill Mitchell, this creative, well-executed track takes aim at diverse musical genres, playfully skewering each, from classical to tango.

My favorite cut is probably the gorgeously layered and gutsy Wassail Song, which highlights everything I love about a group like this. In the hands of lesser singers, this number sounds anemic and clumsy; here, everything clicks like clockwork. Impressive! The Accidentals also successfully tackle The Hallelujah Chorus; it is wonderful to hear eight voices attack and conquer this holiday icon.

Happily, I actually have two releases by The Accidentals to review this season. Stay tuned for the more recent (2007) offering, I'm Not Going Home for Christmas, reviewed here.

- Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com

"and beautiful artisans and singers." - Grace Roy, SONY Execuyive Producer, A&R

Every breath they take and every tone they emit is exquisitely coordinated to create a smooth symphony of sound... They combine harmony with humor and a slightly off-center perspective... No matter what the song, this group can handle it... The Accidentals blend their individually-distinct voices and bring forth sounds that would give any orchestra a run for its money." - Laurie Lawson (online review)

"...but their material is startlingly original." - David Finkle, The Village Voice

... they sing some of the most complex arrangements in all of acappelladom....prepare to be blown away...great sense of humor... You'll laugh, you'll cry, it's beautiful, it's funny, you'll be beguiled by one of the best a cappella albums of the new millennium!" - CD review of "Popular" in Primarily A Cappella

"The Best A Cappella Group in America!" - New York Post