Review and More

Our Review

Jim Brickman's outstanding Homecoming has special significance for me. The album's sentiment is all about "coming home," and Brickman, who hails from Shaker Heights, Ohio, attended the same high school as several of his collaborators here (Anne Cochran, Gerald Levert). Although I have lived for many years in Minnesota, I actually grew up in Shaker Heights. Both of my parents died in recent years (my mom just three months ago), and the lovely music here is provoking both tears and smiles, and for me, that is the quintessential holiday experience--families, friends, love, and cherished memories.

Brickman is a renowned pianist, and he really doesn't want to be pigeon-holed as a "new age" wonk. I can sympathize. The "new age" moniker conjures up images of crystals and fringe spirituality, and the baggage can definitely be off-putting. Brickman's glorious brand of music is more like an inventive, free-spirited classical/pop blend. Whatever it is, the sophisticated sound is adult contemporary, multi-layered, and marvelous. These piano instrumentals will sweep you away.

On a totally superficial note, this Brickman fellow is extremely good-looking. He reminds me of a clean-cut John Corbett (the off-beat actor who was "discovered" on "Northern Exposure" in the early 1990s). But I digress...

Brickman's solo piano pieces always work for me. Auld Lang Zyne, for example, can sound tired and hackneyed; here, however, it sparkles under Brickman's touch. Although most tracks are instrumentals, this release includes some well-executed vocals. Richie McDonald, Lonestar's lead singer, adds rich country tones to Coming Home for Christmas TWICE (including the bonus mix). This original title track is a holiday creation that sounds familiar the very first time through, and McDonald's heartfelt rendition makes the welcome even warmer. Gerald Levert's powerful and gruffly emotive vocal on My Angel (Christmas) is especially moving because the artist unexpectedly died shortly after recording the track last year. Other highlights include the intensely lovely Joy, pairing Brickman's piano with David Klinkenberg's solo violin (the Ode to Joy has rarely sounded so inspired), and the ever-shifting tempos and rhythms of I Saw Three Ships, one of my favorite carols.

After listening to Jim Brickman's Homecoming, I am confident that I'll be home (in Shaker Heights, Ohio) for Christmas, if only in my dreams. Thanks, Jim, for providing the magical transport that will surely take me there this holiday season and for many years to come.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

More

From the liner notes:

Jim Brickman: Piano
Solo Piano Produced by: Jim Brickman

On tracks 1,2,4,8,10:
Produced and Orchestrated by: Tracy Silverman
Violin & viola, Percussion Synths: Tracy Silverman
Cello: Paul Nelson
Oboe and English Horn: Jeff Smith
Edited and mixed by Tracy Silverman & Russ Long

Others:

On track 3:
Vocals: Richie McDonald
Bass, guitars, mandolin, additional drums, programming, bells: Randy Cantor
Background Vocals: Cris Willis
Violin: Tracy Silverman
Drums: Nick Bunda

On track 6:
Solo Violin: David Klinkenberg

On track 7:
Peter White & Anne Cochran
Lead Vocals: Anne Cochran
Drums: Adam Gershon
Bass: Corey Britz
Guitar: Brian Hendricks
Background Vocals: Michelle Renay, Steve Sundholm

On track 9:
Produced, Arranged and Mixed by: Tom Ameen
Percussion, Strings: Tom Ameen

On track 11:
Produced, Arranged and Mixed by: Dan Shea
Enginered by: Benny Shea

On track 13:
Vocals: Richie McDonald
Produced by: Frank J. Myers
Strings Orchestrated and Conducted by: Jerry Williams


From the Website:

Jim Brickman's new holiday CD Homecoming is filled with "Brickmanized" holiday favorites as well as soon-to-be classics "I'm Coming Home for Christmas" sung by Richie McDonald (lead singer of Lonestar), "I Heard The Bells" (feat. Anne Cochran & Peter White), and a very special holiday performance of "My Angel" by the late Gerald Levert. David Klinkenberg and Tracy Silverman also make special guest appearances on the album.

Jim Brickman revolutionized the sound of Adult Contemporary music with his pop-style solo piano and the romantic popular song.

Jim Brickman

Homecoming

Artist link

Track List