Label: Peaceful Vibes
Website
Dan
has some incredibly talented people join him on this release and since there is
the song “Twelve Days of Christmas,” he gives us 12 tracks to enjoy and guess
what the twelfth track is? Everything seems to fall in line so far…just wait.
What
Daniel sought to create was a musical holiday adventure that was steeped in
traditional Christmas Carols and Indian Classical Music. This, of course,
provided the opportunity to combine these elements with some improvisation. The
cross-section of instruments included on this recording includes Sitar,
Santoor, Harmonium, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Tanpura, Tabla,
Percussion, Bansuri Flute, Indian Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and Violin.
Just stop and think about the kind of sounds all of those instruments can make
and you will be filled with anticipation before hitting the play button.
This
is exactly the type of Holiday album I love to hear actually, rather than the
same songs year after year with no expectations of change or any kind of new
experience. I do respect these traditional songs and from whence they came,
however, I do enjoy an artist that is willing to try something entirely
different with enough confidence that it is going to work. When it does work, a
listener can become mesmerized and also very appreciative of the worldly
experience that is being offered.
The
core foundation of Indian Classical music is three components, Drone, Rāga and
Tāla. The Drone is the part of the music that is continuous throughout the
song, the Rāga is the melody and the Tāla is rhythm. So, what you get are two
classic traditional forms of music intersecting for a fantastic combination of
sounds, rhythms, textures, and color.
Think of it as big Christmas tree with a multitude of different colored
lights, that is what this music is and it’s absolutely beautiful, meditative,
spiritual and joyous.
Dan’s
love for both traditions is what inspired this album and why it turned out so
well. I usually get the “Bah! Humbug!,” feelings when I see all the holiday
things coming out the same time just before Halloween, it just feels so
artificial and money driven. So along comes musical projects like The Spirit of Christmas to put it all
into a proper perspective and allow me to focus on the true meaning of the
holiday and the pure beauty and worldliness of the music.
Music,
the universal healer, it makes the world a better place and this kind of
release make you think about the entire planet, not just your own community in
a town or city. This is a worldwide spirit that comes in many different forms,
languages, and sounds, it really is a beautiful thing and I am grateful for the
reminder of that. Thank you, Dan, for transforming me from the Scrooge into old
Saint Nick! This truly is The Spirit of
Christmas.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
December 7, 2018
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Tracks:
01. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
02. Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – Movement 4)
03. Jingle Bells
O4. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
05. We Three Kings
06. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O7. Carol of the Strings (Bells)
O8. Silent Night
09. Joy to the World
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
11. Good King Wenceslas
12. Twelve Days of Christmas
Tracks:
01. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
02. Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – Movement 4)
03. Jingle Bells
O4. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
05. We Three Kings
06. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O7. Carol of the Strings (Bells)
O8. Silent Night
09. Joy to the World
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
11. Good King Wenceslas
12. Twelve Days of Christmas
