Our Review
"WinterSongs and Traditionals" is all about one man and his acoustic guitar, although you will swear that several guitarists must be playing. Billy McLaughlin performed and produced this CD, his first holiday album ("A Simple Gift," his latest holiday offering, is also reviewed on this site), and he is a tremendously talented musician.
As the title suggests, this instrumental CD has more than Christmas tunes; it includes some "WinterSongs" that extend the season. Lovely pieces such as "The White Bear," "Drift," and "South by Winterwest" nicely break the mix of more traditional holiday numbers. All of the acoustic guitar solos are beautiful; my favorites include a wonderfully layered "Carol of the Bells" and a straightforward-but-creatively-unique "Away in a Manger."
McLaughlin's guitar-playing is flawless and technically amazing. He makes the intricate pieces sound deceptively simple. The artist creates a mood here that is uniformly warm, welcoming, and calm.
For those craving the delightful simplicity of acoustic guitar treatments of traditional winter songs, Billy McLaughlin's "WinterSongs" is the natural selection.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)
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From the liner notes:
All songs are traditional holiday melodies arranged for guitar by Billy McLaughlin, except Track 11 (J.S. Bach).
Produced and performed by Billy McLaughlin
From the website:
Billy McLaughlin is a five-time Minnesota Music Award winner will 11 CD releases and Billboard Top-Ten Chart history. His touring experience is extensive including 15 years of national touring and stops in Japan and Europe. The National Association for Campus Activities has awarded Billy with three National Campus Entertainer of the Year Awards (Jazz) and a Hall of Fame Achievement Award. Critics around the globe recognize Billy as an innovative world-class acoustic guitarist, composer, and producer. Billy graduated with honors from the University of Southern California but now resides in his home state of MN where he is proudly raising two boys.
Billy McLaughlin
Wintersongs and Traditionals: A Guitar Collection
Artist link
Label: Proton Discs
Length: 45 minutes
Genre: Celtic
Release: 1994
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| What Child Is This? |
| The White Bear |
| Angels We Have Heard on High/Hark the Herald Angels Sing |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| An Old English Carol |
| Carol of the Bells |
| Christmas Is Coming |
| Away in a Manger |
| Drift |
| Winter Wedding March |
| Wachet Auf from Cantata No. 140 |
| South by Winterwest |
| O Tannenbaum |