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Sweet! John Erickson's A Feeling of Christmas is a first-rate piano offering--one of the very best CDs that I've reviewed this season. The cool song selection spans many holiday greats, including a nice chunk of my personal favorites, and Erickson's exciting arrangements seamlessly meld classical and jazz stylings into an irrestible product. He's an intensely talented, though somewhat understated, pianist, and he receives superb support here. This album is one part solo piano, one part jazz trio (with Patrick Williams on acoustic bass and Tim Mulvenna on percussion), and all parts smoothly-executed Christmas joy!

The album begins beautifully with O Come, O Come Emmanuel, a magnificent 5-minute classical/jazz/new age melange; its intro weaves a delicate tapestry before the number oh-so-carefully transitions into a delicately-offered melody that ultimately bends into mesmerizing, jazzy twists. My description does not begin to do the piece justice--this opener alone is worth the price of admission. Carol of the Bells capitalizes on the full jazz combo, the bass and drums supplying excellent colors and textures while Erickson's keyboard whispers and wails the melody line. On the relatively brief treatment of Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, Erickson's solo piano makes terrific use of pauses and shifting tempos to make his expressive points. The drums on Angels We Have Heard on High punch up the excitement, and the bass and finger-snappin'/hand-clappin' percussion speak volumes on Good Christian Friends, Rejoice. Several tracks swim in truly inspired, flowing jazz improvisations (e.g., Coventry Carol and Gabriel's Message, which includes a cool tribal backbone), but even the most free-spirited cuts never let go of the rich melody underlying these holiday favorites. Everything fits together very, very nicely here.

John Erickson's A Feeling of Christmas is soul-satisfying seasonal music of the highest order. If you enjoy holiday piano instrumentals that shimmer with lyrical musicality and top-class musicianship, all wrapped up in a festive jazz-hued ribbon, then slip this album into your stocking this December. It will be the gift that keeps on giving year after year after year. Fantastic!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

John Erickson: piano (keyboards tracks 2&9)
Patrick Williams: acoustic bass
Tim Mulvenna: drums, percussion (bodhran track 6)
Mike Austin: bodhran (tracks 3&8)

All songs traditional, arranged by John Erickson except Some Children See Him and Silver Bells

Engineered by James Auwarter at Hinge Studios, Chicago, IL
Assisted by Daniel Christain and Shaka Dhlachla
Mixed and mastered by John Larson at Larson Recording


From the Website:

John Erickson's latest CD, "A Feeling of Christmas", is his third solo release and a collection of Christmas carols and hymns. Part solo piano, part jazz trio, the album features local favorites Patrick Williams on bass and Tim Mulvenna on drums. "A Feeling of Christmas" is also given a slight Celtic flavor on two tracks with Chicago bodhran player Mike Austin. Familiar songs like "Carol of the Bells," "Gabriel's Message" and "Silent Night" all carry the distinctive signature of Erickson who creates a whole new universe with his lush re- harmonization, extended melodies and subtle yet captivating force. He turns traditional Christmas songs into originals and lifts them beyond the holiday season, as music to enjoy whenever one feels like it.

"Some pianists forget: the technique is less important than its use. Silence has musical value, as does echo - blend it properly, and its impact can top the busiest of runs. John Erickson knows." ---John Barrett, Jr. JAZZ IMPROV Magazine.

Recognized for his lyrical, understated style, Chicago-based jazz pianist John Erickson has an equal love for the rich harmony and feel of jazz as for the concise, well-crafted pop song. Inspired by the music of artists such as Pat Metheny, Mark Isham, Paul Simon, Neil Finn and Steely Dan, Erickson believes that ultimately melody is king.

"I want to give the listener a melody to hum, something to hold onto, " says Erickson, "perhaps even offer a balance between things warm and familiar and things new and surprising."

John Erickson

A Feeling of Christmas

Artist link

Track List