Aural Awakenings: Episode 44 (A Christmas Special II)

Another Christmas themed episode featuring a wintry blend of Celtic, neoclassical & contemporary instrumental music!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM-EP-SINGLE
Loreena Mckennitt / The Seven Rejoices of Mary / A Midwinter’s Night Dream
Jennifer Thomas / Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy / Winter Symphony
Mediaeval Baebes / In Dulce Jubilo / Mistletoe & Wine
Rick Sparks / Christmas Night / Christmas Night
Ashley Davis / The Silence of Snow / Songs of the Celtic Winter
Ryan Marvel / Ukrainian Bell Carol / Winter II
Cantus / Fjellheim: Pater Noster / Northern Lights
Stephen Wallack / We Three Kings / Reflections
Sangeeta Kaur / Stardust / Illuminance
Tom Caufield / Carol of the Drum / I Heard It Was Christmas Day
Unto Ashes / Lord of the Dance / Excelsis Vol. 2: A Winter’s Song
Ross Christopher / In the Bleak Midwinter / In the Bleak Midwinter
Dana Cunningham / What Child Is This / What I Hear
Peter Calandra / Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) / Carpe Noctem

Album Review: Christmas Night by Rick Sparks

Rick Sparks is a pianist and composer whose recordings have been warmly received in neoclassical, new age and contemporary instrumental music circles. He also heads-up the long-running internet radio station The Cove on Live365 which has been a leader in the field for many years. Having begun piano lessons at age seven, Rick subsequently lent decades of service as a church pianist and earned a master’s degree in music. Influenced by iconic pianists such as George Winston and Jim Brickman, he eventually went on to release his debut album, Christmas Love, in 2007. Followed up by a handful of albums over the years, Rick recorded another Christmas album in 2020, which is his latest titled Christmas Night.

Comprised of ten compositions spanning approximately forty-three minutes, Christmas Night was partly inspired by the annual BBC broadcast of the King’s College Christmas Eve service in Cambridge, England. The ensuing result is one of the most magical albums of the season, with its synthesized arrangements of familiar carols and two originals prominently featuring celestial choirs, glistening bells and classical strings throughout.

One of my favorite pieces on the album is the opening title track, “Christmas Night”, which along with the closing piece, "Nativity", was composed by Rick. Delicately whimsical, it convey a wintry ballet feel that conjures images of falling snowflakes and the smell of evergreen trees. Also noteworthy is Rick’s uniquely varied rendition of “In the Bleak Midwinter”, which is led by a gentle piano melody accompanied by textural choral figures.

Not surprisingly, one of the album's most soothing compositions is the classic Christmas lullaby “Silent Night”, and if I didn’t know otherwise, I could have easily mistaken this rendition for fellow new age music artist Liquid Mind. Musically evocative of heavenly realms and radiant streams of light, an alternate piano variation comes in towards the end as the melody seemingly moves in a cinematically ascending pattern towards the sky.

Enthusiastically recommended to fans of both Christmas carols and peaceful synthesizer music, Christmas Night is a beautiful expression of Rick’s personal faith and musical talent, which is suitable not just for Christmastime but all winter long! ~Candice Michelle

Available at Amazon, iTunes and other online music retailers. For more information, please visit the artist’s website.

Aural Awakenings: Episode 43 (A Christmas Special)

A Christmas themed episode featuring a seasonal blend of Celtic, neoclassical & contemporary instrumental music!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
Moya Brennan / Angels We Have Heard On High / An Irish Christmas
Jocelyn Obermeyer / First Light / Christmas From the Heart
Ashley Davis / Nollaig Moon / Songs of the Celtic Winter
ELEON / Christmas Island / Peaceful Christmas 
Sarah Brightman / Colder Than Winter / A Winter Symphony
Dana Cunningham / We Three Kings / What I Hear
Blackmore’s Night / Emmanuel / Winter Carols
Giuseppe Dio / O Tannenbaum / Merry Christmas
Camille Nelson / O Holy Night (feat. Marj Desius) / Acoustic Christmas
Nightnoise / Snow On High Ground / Celtic Christmas
David Lanz & Kristin Amarie / Sweet Winter Love / Forever Christmas
Rick Sparks / The First Noel / Christmas Night
Michael Neal / Snow / Lapse
Enya / Miraculum / And Winter Came
David Arkenstone / White Sentinels / Snowfall

Album Review: Acoustic Christmas by Camille Nelson

Recording artist Camille Nelson is a supremely talented Billboard-charting guitarist and violinist whom I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing in the past. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and now living in Switzerland, she’s also younger sister to Steven Sharp Nelson of the hugely successful classical crossover group, The Piano Guys.

Camille’s latest album, Acoustic Christmas, is a heart-warming collection of Christmas carols that showcases acoustic folk, neoclassical and adult contemporary styles of music, with half the album featuring guest vocalists.

Leading the album is a relaxing acoustic version of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” which immediately paints an idyllic window scene of a cozy fireplace and snowfall outside. Evoking memories of Christmases past and an overall sense of soul-soothing comfort, Camille continues with a softly flowing rendition of “Joy to the World”, with its warm acoustic layers subtly rising and falling like gently rolling waves. Following next is “Little Drummer Boy” which features a soulful vocal performance by Yahosh Bonner. One of the most pronounced songs on the album, it’s smoothly guided along by organic percussion throughout, as improvised vocal and instrumental touches seemingly take the listener on a joyous night ride through a starry winter night.

One of my favorite pieces on the album is “Wexford Carol”, wherein Camille adds a lovely Celtic twist with violin. Likewise, a repeating guitar pattern underscores the main melody throughout, which creates a meditative atmosphere of old-world mystique. Another sung performance ensues with “Still, Still, Still”, which is a lovingly tender lullaby-like piece showcasing the harmonious female vocals of KORA.

More beautifully peaceful instrumentals follow like “Once in David’s Royal’s City” and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”, as well as a couple more vocal pieces – notably the timeless classic “O Holy Night”, which features singer Mari who's performance is supported by Camille's beautifully simple acoustic arrangement. Perfectly concluding the album is a solo acoustic rendering of “Silent Night” to help calm the spirit and close out the night.

Capturing the nostalgia of past Christmastimes, Acoustic Christmas will appeal to fans of both contemporary acoustic and traditional Christmas carols. Wonderfully reminiscent at times of some of the iconic Christmas albums released on Narada and Windham Hill Records throughout the 1990’s, Acoustic Christmas is both classic and modern in sound and style – peaceful yet spirited – down-to-earth yet divine! ~Candice Michelle

Available at Amazon, iTunes and other online music retailers. For more information, please visit the artist's website.

Album Review: Merry Christmas by Giuseppe Dio

Giuseppe Dio is an Italian electronic music composer who’s explored everything from deep space to dream house on his previous recordings. This time around, he eases comfortably into the holiday spirit with a lovely 24-minute EP that’s simply titled Merry Christmas. Rendering six compositions on electronic synthesizers, Dio has selected a very fitting collection of songs that all beautifully complement one another.

Processional drums, soaring synths and celestial vocal tones majestically open “Adeste Fideles” (aka “O Come All ye Faithful”) which is eventually followed up by the much beloved “Auld Lang Syne”. Vividly conjuring images of decorated cathedral halls and colorful Christmas lights, Dio’s symphonic electronic arrangements pleasantly recalls much of Vangelis’ more cinematically oriented works.

I was most delighted to see a rendition of Franz Schubert’s iconic “Ave Maria” included here, as I’ve always found it to be one of the most beautiful pieces of religious music ever written. Dio puts an epically cosmic and wintery spin on the composition, all while perfectly preserving the sacred reverence of the original masterpiece.

Another highlight is the nocturnally peaceful “O Tannenbaum” (aka “Oh Christmas Tree”) which wraps the lead melody in spacious notes and twinkling stars, effectively conveying a cold winter’s night.

Call it “new age Christmas music” if you like. Either way, this fantastic little collection of cinematic cosmic carols is easily one of the most enjoyable holiday listens of the season! ~Candice Michelle


For more information, please visit the artist's website. This EP is also available on Amazon, iTunes and other retail and streaming platforms.

Aural Awakenings: Episode 22 (A Christmas Special)

TIME / ARTIST NAME / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
00:00 / Altan / Soillse Na Nollag / Celtic Christmas
04:29 / Thano Sahnas & Lauren Sahnas / Angels We Have Heard on High / Christmas from the Heart
08:20 / Dulce VAS / Silent Night / Christmas Picante
11:59 / Blackmore’s Night / Oh Christmas Tree / Winter Carols
16:52 / David Wahler / Snowflake / Christmas at Home
21:21 / Phoenix Rising / Five Year Christmas / In My Dreams Again
25:18 / Enya / The Spirit of Christmas Past / And Winter Came
29:26 / Michael Kollwitz / Pile of Presents / Pile of Presents (single)
33:05 / Pam Asberry / Sing We Now of Christmas / Thankful Heart, Joyful Mind
38:11 / Moya Brennan / The Wexford Carol / An Irish Christmas
41:44 / Sultans of String / Niel Gow’s Lament/Rakes of Mallow/Rouge River Valley / Christmas Caravan
47:20 / London Music Works / Carol of the Bells (Introduction) / The Nativity
48:55 / Seay / Winter’s Light / A Winter Blessing the Gift
53:57 / Anne Trenning / Do I Hear Christmas / Beautiful Song

Album Review: Thankful Heart, Joyful Mind by Pam Asberry

Classically-trained pianist and composer Pam Asberry follows-up her summery Seashells in My Pocket album with a wintry Christmas album entitled Thankful Heart, Joyful Mind. Comprised of twelve solo piano compositions, the album features exquisitely elegant arrangements of both religious carols and secular holiday songs of varying moods and tones that range from delightfully cheery to solemnly reverent.

The album opens with an Italian Christmas carol composed by Pietro Yon in 1917 entitled “Gesu Bambino”, as it moves along at a brisk yet leisurely pace. The next piece is a traditional French carol entitled “Sing We Now of Christmas”, which boasts a beautifully expressive yet contemplative arrangement. Here, Asberry transitions smoothly from subtly starker chords in the lower register to more glistening notes in the higher register, before perfectly wrapping up the piece in a mysterious, minor-key figure. Likewise, Asberry impressively contrasts the deeper moods of pieces like these with that of more jubilant songs such as “Over the River and Through the Wood”, which showcases a delightfully carefree melody set to a gentle waltzing pace. This lovely piece evokes images of a sunny winter wonderland with its intermittently-placed, lightly twirling notes deftly mimicking snowflakes falling to the ground. One of my favorite pieces on the album is Asberry’s magnificent rendering of the 13th century French carol “March of the Kings”. Opening in a formidable manner with boldly striking chords, the composition eventually moves into a feathery, twinkly bridge towards the latter part, before gradually receding into its initially darker motif. Not surprisingly, with Asberry having formerly led a church choir from organ, those roots come through quite evidently on this remarkable piece, as one can easily imagine the reverent sound of the pipe organ (or in this case, her piano) reverberating throughout the church halls.

Likewise, Pam Asberry renders a couple of more accessibly familiar Christmas tunes such as “Away in a Manger” and “White Christmas”. However, overall she’s opted for more out-of-the-box and less frequently covered pieces here, which is a defining characteristic of the album that I especially enjoyed. Easily one of this year’s favorite holiday albums, Thankful Heart, Joyful Mind musically conveys both a reverence and cheerfulness that will surely delight the senses all season long! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available on Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby and Google Play.

Spotlight: Christmas Plain & Simple III by Michele McLaughlin

Michele McLaughlin is a self-taught pianist and composer who relays musical storytelling via her instrument. One listen to any of her albums and it becomes evident right away that she was simply born to play and compose on the piano. The third installment of her Christmas trilogy, entitled Christmas: Plain & Simple III, is comprised of 12 compositions that includes one original piece. Literally absent of any fancy bells or whistles, Michele artfully distills the essence of these wonderful Christmas classics. 

The album opens on a cheerful note with a rendition of the popular English carol, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Adding her signature touch, Michele employs a rippling effect on the piano between takes on the main melody. Following next is one of my favorite carols entitled “Good King of Wenceslas”. A song written about a Bohemian king who embarks on a journey amid the harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant, Michele’s unique take on this classic seemingly transfers the feeling of a long-distance traveler braving the cold. Here she opens the piece with drifting solo notes in the higher register, before introducing a galloping motion on the keys with her left hand and then applying a tapping effect on the main melody with her right hand. Imparting a resonating sound, these particularly intriguing aspects lend the piece a great deal of added dimension and color. 

Michele also recreates “What Child is This?” (a carol adapted to the melody of the traditional English folk song, “Greensleeves”) on her piano, while lending her own improvisation with an added touch of opulence from about the middle of the piece onwards. Also notable is Michele’s gentler, more introspective take on the typically cheery and upbeat “Jingle Bells”, in which she begins the piece with her own melodic introduction before transitioning into the main familiar chorus. 

One of the livelier moments on the album includes the song “Christmas Canon”, of which Trans-Siberian Orchestra originally set to the melody of Johann Pachelbel’s "Canon in D Major". Applying a more dynamic assertion on the piano, Michele similarly captures the nostalgic feel conveyed by the original tune. Perfectly closing out the album on a personally comforting, calming note is “Peace”, of which Michele composed. 

Capturing the true spirit of Christmastime along with all its uniquely special moments, memories and often bustling nature that each holiday season brings, Christmas: Plain & Simple III would make a wonderful addition to any Christmas music collection. I could almost smell the hot cocoa, spices and evergreen while listening! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album can also be purchased at Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby and Google Play.

Spotlight: Winter Carols by Blackmore's Night

Winter Carols is a double-album of Christmas and holiday songs by the band Blackmore’s Night, comprised of Ritchie Blackmore (of Deep Purple and Rainbow) and his wife Candice Night. Performing a style of music that is often described as renaissance folk-rock, their signature sound naturally provides the perfect musical context for these timeless compositions. The first disc includes fifteen studio recordings while the second disc features live versions of five pieces from disc one. Disc two also includes four additional variations of “Christmas Eve”, with the original version likewise appearing on disc one. Performed and sung in the spirit of hundreds of years ago when peasants and royalty alike shared in the joy of the holidays, the pieces on Winter Carols often paint transportive mental images of old European houses and castles among a magical winter scenery complete with people enjoying food, festivities, music and dance.

Sounding off the album with a cheerful rendition of “Deck the Halls”, a flute initially plays the main melody, which is then followed by Candice on vocals accompanied by a full arrangement. Next is the longtime familiar, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”, which has always been one of my favorite traditional Christmas carols. Beginning at a slower pace, acoustic guitar and processional drums lead the way as Candice sings the main melody. Gradually picking up the pace, a lovely instrumental bridge enters that sounds traditionally Arabian, accompanied by an exotically transportive mid-eastern oboe sound.

One of the liveliest segments on the album is the pairing of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / O Come All Ye Faithful”, which bridges two classic carols. Seemingly conveying a parade of lights, dancing and celebration, the rather pop-rockish tune also features an impressive riff of soulful electric guitar. Another notable highlight is the beautiful instrumental, “Winter (Basse Dance)”, which effectively conjures images of a cozy, crackling fireplace with its relaxing arrangement of classical guitar and orchestral strings.

The band also performs a song for Hanukkah called “Ma-O-Tzur”, which is a Jewish liturgical poem. Showcasing a lovely guitar and string arrangement, Candice sings the melody first in Hebrew and then in English in a lightly soaring manner. One of my favorite Advent and Christmas hymns is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, which the band has simply rendered as “Emmanuel”. Here Candice sings its supernal lyrics amidst acoustic guitar and strings, until the arrangement eventually welcomes a whimsical flute melody towards the middle.

And lastly, I was most happy to see the band’s original composition, “Christmas Eve”, included on this album, as it brings back wonderful memories of the first time I heard it during a Christmas holiday spent in Austria a couple of years ago. Perfectly capturing the inexplicably magical air of Christmas Eve with its celebratory arrangement of singing, sleigh bells, guitar and percussion, hearing this festive albeit nostalgic piece still reminds me of riding in a car one night as it snowed. The second disc also includes four edits/versions of this song, which differ notably from the original in that they’ve been remixed with an added dance/techno beat, however I greatly prefer this version.

Having grown up intimately familiar with some of the carols rendered here, I felt naturally inclined to sing along (whether aloud or mentally). As a result, my only real criticism of this album is that Candice changes some lyrics on a few of the songs that she apparently felt bothered by, which threw me off slightly a couple of times. Perhaps if she felt that uncomfortable singing the lyrics to a specific carol, she should have just sung something else altogether. Aside from that minor quip I greatly enjoyed Winter Carols, and likewise I’m a fan of the band’s many other works. Overall festive and fun (as opposed to more reverent sounding), I’d especially recommend this album for holiday and wintertime celebrations! ~Candice Michelle



For more information please visit the band's website. This album is can also be purchased at Amazon, iTunes and Google Play.