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Our Review

Every so often, Christmasreviews.com receives a letter from someone asking where to find "traditional" Christmas music. Most questions we receive are tough to answer, but this is one of the toughest, because it is difficult to know what someone means by "traditional". For me, traditional sounds a lot like Calvin L. Coolidge II's The Very Best of Christmas.

Traditional is all of the songs I grew up with. Coolidge has done his level best to get all of the traditional favorites on a single CD (The Very Best of Christmas weighs in at an ample 69 minutes, 22 songs). Every song, save one, is a holiday Chestnut. The only somewhat rare track is The Angel Gabriel, of which I can find only three other recordings. So, Coolidge does not over-promise with his The Very Best of designation.

Traditional also brings to mind the unobtrusive and unprovocative sound of background music I used to hear on the Reuters News Summary channel in East Texas during the '70s. Characteristic of this genre, Coolidge's arrangements are straightforward and likably familiar. Although a few cuts could be described as new age (think Mannheim Steamroller, but without the moog effects), most are quite traditional.

The liner notes don't offer much guidance, but I believe Coolidge plays guitar and keyboards, while several of the harmony tracks are programmed. By design, Coolidge has created a smooth, tasteful and tasty pastiche that could easily displace Butch Baldassari's mandolin stylings on the Weather Channel.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)

Our Review

One man (the namesake of our 30th president) plus over 100 instrumental sounds equal one solid and innovative instrumental album for the holidays. With 22 tracks providing well over an hour of music, The Very Best of Christmas is a showcase of diverse synthesized orchestrations. To top it all off, how cool must it be to have a handle like Calvin L. Coolidge II? Presumably, no one forgets your name or botches the spelling!

Prolific Cal has self-produced several albums that span a surprising number of styles and genres. On The Very Best of Christmas, Cal demonstrates some elasticity, not so much with respect to mood or genre, but with respect to his choice of synthesized sounds. The music is straight-ahead, easy-listening instrumental music with a new age flavor and a focus on ancient carols. The arrangements are stylish, but not overproduced, letting the timeless melodies shine through.

Favorite pieces include the ever-lovely "Coventry Carol" with its bells and the flowing piano treatment on "Away in a Manger." The synthesized strings and horns on "Angels We Have Heard on High," the CD's longest track, are also impressive. The Very Best of Christmas finishes well with a dynamic "Joy to the World" that employs a true potpourri of instrumental excitement.

If you yearn to have a presidential relative in your home for the holidays, and you don't have any blood ties with Bush, Clinton, Carter, Nixon, Roosevelt or any other first family, just keep Cal in mind. With The Very Best of Christmas, Calvin L. Coolidge II will fill your home with his personal instrumental performance on 22 seasonal sensations!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the Web site:

"Composing music is like acting," says Calvin Coolidge II (Grandson of the 30th President). "The objective of a great actor is to play their roles so convincing that the audience is unaware that it is this same actor who is playing another different role. I think this can be done with music."

His first CD, an intimate recording, Clear Dream Day, showcases his spontaneous compositional skills as these light-spirited solo guitar compositions were recorded on the spot as they were being created.

His second CD, aptly titled SECONDS, adds top musicians from both the West and the East coasts to his masterful guitar playing and his strong musical compositions. SECONDS is often described as "intelligent instrumental soft rock backed up by a smooth jazz ensemble" and shows his ability to effortlessly weave Rock, Folk, New Age, Classical, and Jazz elements into one smooth recording. Several of his fans have told him that they keep this CD in their car players permanently - and no wonder. It is produced by Grammy-nominated artist Paul Speer (David Lanz, Michael Stearns, David Arkenstone) and features the woodwinds of New Age/Jazz great, Richard Warner (David Lanz, Tingstad and Rumbel).

His self-produced third CD, CLUB TIAJ, shows his venture in a new direction and gives each listener an expansive array of sounds. CLUB TIAJ combines Dance, World, Urban, Rock, Pop, New Age, Classical and Ambient styles into one cohesive and upbeat CD. This music is FUN! It is danceable - and songs like TRIBE and NIGHT HAUNT FAREWELL are 2 of the more mysterious songs that are on this CD. CLUB TIAJ is named The Best Recording of 2003 from Wind and Wire along side recording luminary YANNI.

Calvin L. Coolidge II

The Very Best of Christmas

Artist link

Track List