Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

The uplifting music on Dublin Gospel Choir’s funky and soulful second album could be just the thing to get a cranky and reluctant populace interested in Christmas at the end of a bad year, writes KEVIN COURTNEY

THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING season is almost upon us, and once again the air is ringing with the sound of politicians asking us to do the patriotic thing and spend our ever-shrinking kitty at home. It’ll take more than threats and cajoling, though, to persuade us to cancel our annual trip to Newry and shop in the Republic. Perhaps what the capital needs instead is a stirring anthem to swell our hearts and loosen our wallets, a seasonal song that makes us want to shake our hips, clap our hands and dance down Grafton Street, credit cards held aloft like holy offerings.