Guitarist Margaret Slovak and the lyrical Austin bassist Chris Maresh released a new CD on November 1, 2024, entitled A Star's Light Does Fall. This new album contains their enchanting instrumental arrangements of 11 classic and non-traditional Christmas songs, including “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “Infant Eyes” by Wayne Shorter. The physical CD is available from the “Store” section of this website, Bandcamp, Waterloo Records in Austin, TX, and from their live shows. The duo will be performing several shows in Austin to celebrate the release. The album is also available for streaming on all major platforms. Here is a description of the music, and an excerpt from their first review:
A Star’s Light Does Fall
Margaret Slovak & Chris Maresh
Starlight. Solitude. Stillness. A wide-open winter sky. This imagery defines A Star’s Light Does Fall – a jazz album that both embraces the magical essence of the Christmas season and re-imagines the entire genre of holiday music. Guitarist Margaret Slovak and bassist Chris Maresh, both from Austin, go deep on this recording. Their musical mission is anchored in space, intimacy, reflection. Margaret and Chris interpret classic carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Away In a Manger.” But there’s room for Wayne Shorter and Leonard Cohen on the album, too. Think of a holiday album in the spirit of Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden’s Beyond the Missouri Sky, a sublime mix of deep feeling and musical integrity. (Written by Brad Buchholz).
A Recent Review of A Star's Light Does Fall:
“There is an incredible warmth and peacefulness that radiates from the music created by nylon string guitarist, Margaret Slovak and double bass player, Chris Maresh. This duo offers us their awesome and individual talents in perfect harmony. . . . The way they musically melt together is like candle wax dripping down the candelabra to create a beautiful pattern.”
– Dee Dee McNeil: Making A Scene: The Independent Music Magazine –10/30/24