Cold Blow these Winter Winds features an eclectic collection of styles from traditional to contemporary. There are exquisite carols Lullay lullay and Christ Child's Lullaby with harp and vocals by Mary MacMaster and Corrinna Hewat; a powerful a cappella performance by Eliza Carthy on the traditional Dives and Lazarus; a rollicking version of Shane MacGowan's Fairytale of New York; Rory McLeod's take on the John Prine chestnut Christmas in Prison; and a delightful instrumental Little Drummer Boy, with Rory Campbell's Border pipes leading the way.

Recorded live at a benefit concert on Christmas at Queen's Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland, on December 21, 2003, Cold Blow these Winter Winds album featuring a star-studded line-up of traditional musicians from Scotland and the North of England.  With a portion of the proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care, the project was organized by Rory Campbell (Old Blind Dogs, Deaf Shepherd) and first broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on Christmas Day 2003.

"This is a fantastic line-up, that made for a very special night," says Campbell. "The CD is seasonal material relating to the Christmas period, but don't be afraid to play this music at any time of they year. Try belting out 'Little Drummer Boy' in July. I did!"

Featuring: Rory Campbell (Border pipes, Whistles), Eliza Carthy (Fiddle, Vocals), Corrina Hewat (Harp, Vocals), Andy Lang (Guitar, Vocals), Mary MacMaster (Harp, Vocals)
Rory McLeod (Guitar, Vocals), Tim Matthew (Fiddle, Vocals), Billie Owens (Vocals), Dean Owens (Guitar, Vocals), Karine Polwart (Guitar, Vocals), Marianne Campbell (Fiddle), Donald Hay (Drums), Aaron Jones (Bouzouki), Kevin McGuire (Bass), Dave Milligan (Piano)