Branden & James are a music duo whose collaboration brings the power of the operatic voice, with the warmth of the cello for all-around musical richness. Their Christmas offering “A Christmas Gift” due November 18 is beautifully stripped back with only vocals, cello, and piano on the majority of tracks.
For a Holiday album, they have managed to present a tracklist of rarer finds alongside much-loved standards. The production very much feels as though the listener is being serenaded by the fireplace. You can even hear occasional inhalations from James on exposed cello solo moments.
The duo, along with arranger James Clark, breathes new meaning into “I’ll be Home for Christmas” by combining it with the sentimental Broadway favorite “Bring Him Home.” The pairing brings aching melancholy to the track that is often performed with cheerful resignation.
Branden is clearly a talented vocalist who can adapt his classical training to a variety of styles but there are moments when the listener wishes he had the material to fully embrace his operatic instincts. However, it’s clear the repertoire choices make for a cohesive album.
Highlights on the album include “Caro Gesu Bambino,” the lovely duet of “Be Still” with American Idol alum Effie Passero, and “Bread of Heaven.” The stand-out though is the new interpretation of Bing Crosby’s “Blanca Navidad.” This shows Branden at his crossover finest and really draws in the listener with the addition of guitar, by Al Ramirez, to supplement James’ emotional cello. This track alone makes downloading the whole album worthwhile.