Our Review
Joe Curry's Midnight Clear is the sort of Christmas music one listens to very, very early in the morning or very, very late in the evening, times when listening at a low volume is a premium. His soft-spoken piano arrangements are gentle and unassuming, and at times accompanied by other soft-spoken instrumental voices, including flute (Betsy McCann), french horn (Sara Bergsven), saxophone (Mary McWeeny) and cello (Noah Turner Rogoff).
Not entirely instrumental (Joe sings The Christmas Song, Let It Snow, and O Holy Night), this is for the most part a CD you can place in the changer with other instrumental offerings. Curry's style is slightly formal, his arrangements sentimental. I particularly enjoyed his gentle treatment of Silent Night , primarily because of the inclusion of Betsy McCann's flute part. In contrast, his arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen featured a bit of energetic arrangemental piano riffing, accompanied by Mary McWeeny's "calming" soprano sax. But in both cases, he makes effective use of his other instrumental accompanists. In contrast, on Once In Royal David's City he, um, singlehandedly, renders the entire piece with just his piano.
Midnight Clear is a wonderful way to begin or end a wintry December day.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
Piano and vocals: Joe Curry
Flute: Betsy McCann
Saxophone: Mary McWeeny
French horn: Sara Bergsven
Cello: Noah Turner Rogoff
Credits
Arranger and producer: Joe Curry
Engineer: Matthew Zimmerman
Photography: Martin Berglin
Graphic Design: Laurie Sugiarto
All music was performed on a Yamaha C3 grand piano and recorded at Wild Sound Studio in MInneapolis, MN.
About the Project
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It's a season full of many traditions---from hanging Christmas lights and drinking peppermint cocoa, to decorating the tree and, of course, singing holiday songs.
For me, music is what makes the holiday festive. One fond memory is waking up to classic Christmas songs on a record my mom would play on school mornings in December. Other memories include playing the piano for Christmas Eve Mass and singing carols around my hometown. I have had a great time arranging songs and recording this album--even on sweltering summer days when Frosty most certainly would have melted. I hope this album will surprise, delight, and energize you with the holiday spirit.
Merry Christmas!
Joe Curry
Joe Curry
Midnight Clear
Artist site
Label: Joe Curry Recordings
Length: 45 minutes
Genre: Christian
Release: 2005
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| It Came Upon A Midnight Clear |
| Joy To The World |
| Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas |
| Silent Night |
| The Christmas Song |
| Away In A Manger |
| Frosty The Snowman |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow |
| Once In Royal David's City |
| The First Nöel |
| O Holy Night |