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Our Review

Winter Canvas is strong in so many ways. First, it's an excellent name--both for a seasonal album and its title track. The name immediately conjures up the stark beauty that is winter, and this music paints a magnificent portrait of the season. Second, this instrumental offering centers on two tremendously emotive voices--the piano (Roger MacNaughton) and the cello (Steve VanRavenswaay)--and their conversations speak volumes throughout the album. MacNaughton and VanRavenswaay are MacRaven, and Winter Canvas is MacWonderful.

Let's start at the beginning. Winter Canvas presents 11 tracks, and more than half (6) are well-crafted MacNaughton originals, beginning with the opening Christmas Eve. The bright and airy first few bars evince snow swirling as dusk falls on December 24th, and the whole number is a joy. That's another terrific feature of this album; the freshly-minted numbers are great and blend seamlessly with the age-old classics. MacNaughton's sweet arrangements energize even ubiquitous pieces like Silent Night, which intersperses dreamlike passages with the straightforward melody. The graceful and melancholy 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime is perhaps my favorite of the bunch (and is the longest track). The piano and cello trade off on the rich melody line, and the result is mesmerizing.

In the end, it's that interplay of piano and cello that sells me on Winter Canvas. The piano gently dances and swirls; the deep-voiced cello speaks with authority and nuance. This instrumental release is a classical/new age blend, and the effect is comforting and relaxing, yet exhilirating. This is mood music of the very best kind. If you seek tasteful, sophisticated treatments of holiday music, both old and new, invite MacRaven to your home this Christmas season, and ask them to bring along their Winter Canvas. So lovely!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Roger MacNaughton--Piano
Steve VanRavenswaay--Cello

All original songs and arrangements by Roger MacNaughton
Performed by MacRaven

Piano and cello combine to weave musical threads throughout seasonal favorites and picturesque originals.

MacRaven

Winter Canvas

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Track List