James Villa– By Michal Elizabeth Smith –
I’d like to share a bit of holiday cheer with you on this eve of Christmas Eve, by calling attention to Arlington, Texas’ very own a cappella quintet, Pentatonix. Their Christmas album, PTXmas, comprised of six cover songs was released in mid- November. The band then released a Deluxe Edition featuring “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Go tell it on the Mountain” several days later. A cappella’s roots are found in churches, but have gained grounds in the secular world within the past year with help from the hit comedy film, Pitch Perfect.“Little Drummer Boy” incorporates realistic drumbeats using solely the lips of Kevin Olusola and flawless harmonies executed by members, Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, and Avi Kaplan.
Other featured tracks on the album include “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, “Carol of the Bells”, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”, “O Holy Night”, and “This Christmas”.
