Holiday/New Age/Classical Review: Jennifer Thomas-Winter Symphony

Release Date: November 20, 2015

Label: Tickled Ivory Music

Website

Jennifer Thomas is a talented multidimensional artist. She is a composer, pianist and violinist with a lot of respect coming from her peers in the industry. With Winter Symphony she takes tradition and several genres and creates a magnificent soundtrack. The album is titled appropriately as it is a shimmering and magical journey. At times certain parts did remind me of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I knew after hearing the first track that this recording was going to be prolific and moving.

The curtain opens to a spectacular unraveling of sound and color with “Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus),” and the chorus indeed sounds like it was heaven sent.

The brilliance of “Carol of the Bells” opens the door to the Holiday with parts of a legendary track that come alive with cascading piano and orchestrations. Classical and New Age music merge with tradition for an entirely new universe of music for a listener to enjoy.

As an individual that gets inundated with Holiday music every year it becomes harder and harder to get my attention and any particular release to make a lasting impression. I have been fortunate this year to hear several great unconventional recordings that gave me a new perspective and outlook on this special Holiday season.

“Ice Dance” is a musical ballet with the grandeur of orchestrations, a choir and Jennifer’s tinkling and alluring piano strokes. It is quite beautiful…you can envision a lone ice skater joined by others as the song reaches its apex then winds down like a snow globe in your mind gently bringing it back to the singularity of purpose this dance represents.

As mature and distinct as this music is it can most certainly bring to light the child inside all of us. Remember when you were the wide eyed little girl/boy full of the wonder of Christmas morning? It is all here for you to absorb and hold in your heart for as long as you wish or to listen to again and again.

Winter Symphony needs a stage with actors to play out the parts of this engrossing musical story. I would not be surprised to see it all come to life on a stage or on the screen someday soon. If that does not happen I will surprised. There is so much going on in this music, it makes you feel alive and grateful for life and all there is to enjoy. The power of music proves once again that it can heal and change an attitude within minutes. The spirit of humanity and the holidays are alive and breathing in this music, do not miss it!

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Carol of the Bells, Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus), Ice Dance

Tracks:
01. Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
02. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
03. Carol of the Bells
04. Alleluia (feat. Felicia Farerre & The Ensign Chorus)
05. Ice Dance (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
06. I Saw Three Ships
07. Breath of Heaven
08. Theme from Home Alone (Somewhere in My Memory)
09. What Child Is This (feat. Taylor Davis)
10. Silent Night (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
11. Winter Symphony
12. O Holy Night

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

December 22, 2015

Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Holiday/Christmas/New Age Review: David Lanz & Kristin Amarie-Forever Christmas

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Label: DKL Records

Website: http://davidlanz.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KristinAmariesmusic

David Lanz & Kristin Amarie are frozen in time with their release Forever Christmas. The recording was released last November and rings true a year later and certainly will well beyond that. After all what is time but a ticking clock? Good music is timeless, and this particular album is a thing of beauty and grace to usher in one of the most sacred Holidays celebrated the world over.

Lanz is a world renowned pianist and the talented vocalist Amarie become one on Forever Christmas. The two artists are also life partners and that bond is evident in their musical partnership. The synergy and flow of this music is exceptional.

The music presented is traditional, new age and classical all fused together to make a non-traditional listen. I mean that in a very positive way. This is not what you are hearing blaring over the speakers every year at your local retail store. This music is precise with a lot meaning. It is enlightening and relaxing and in the same instance as uplifting as Holiday music could possibly be.

The title track leads the way into the magical time of Christmas. It is not only special to children but to everyone that celebrates it. People gather to exchange gifts and show their love and appreciation for each other. The music itself is a celebration.

As you make your way through this newly discovered Holiday classic, a traditional ageless song is revisited. “Silent Night” is one of the most memorable tunes ever crafted and David and Anmarie do it justice. The piano is delicate and inviting and Amarie sounds like the angel singing it, bringing with it the light of love and creation with every breath. This is a magnificent rendition that I will not forget.

Then there is always the one instrumental that catches my ear, lifts my spirit and moves me. That track was “What is Christmas.” David’s piano playing is superb. As his fingers glide across the ivory keys as the meaning of the season and the Holidays consume you.

Christmas is forever and with one listen to Forever Christmas you will feel that is your reality, at least for as long as you are listening. Alternatively, if you decide to carry those feelings and meanings with you every day then this can serve a twofold purpose. This kind of music makes us all realize how important friends and family are and if you let the music flow through you so will the spirit of giving and the Holiday.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Forever Christmas, Silent Night, What is Christmas (instrumental)

Tracks:
01. Winter Prelude
02. Forever Christmas
03. Snow Dance
04. Oh Holy Night
05. La Estrella de la Navidad
06. Jubilate
07. Sweet Winter Love
08. What is Christmas
09. Winter Star
10. A Thousand Lights
11. Sweet Winter Love instr.
12. Silent Night
13. What is Christmas (instrumental)
14. Heavenly Peace

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

December 5, 2015

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

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