Our Review
Neal Ewers' The Joy Of Christmas turned out to be fine way to start a sleepy Sunday morning, with late-arriving material stacked almost as high as I can reach, and a cup of hot coffee perched atop the stack.
The liner notes suggest Mr. Ewers produces such authentic-sounding instrumentals because he uses the state-of-the-art Kurzweil K2500XS keyboard. This is good information since it would not have been possible for me to discern the difference had there been an exhaustive list of orchestra players and their instruments the sound seemed so real.
Along with its companion, the 1999 release Peace On Earth, the sheer completeness of Mr. Ewers work offers itself as a wonderful all-in-two Christmas collection for lovers of soothing instrumental holiday fare.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
Instrumental Carols Arranged and Performed by Neal Ewers
Vocal samples courtesy of Spectrasonics' "Symphony of VOices"
Cello samples courtesy of Sweetwater Sound
Selected instrumental samples courtesy of Miroslav Vitous "Symponic Orchestra Samples
Pipe organs of France Saint VIncent de Marignac and Cathedrale Saint Alain de Lavau.
Cover design consultation from Peggy Denton, George Roberts, GLoria Ruff
Design stitched by Genevra Ewers
CD layout, design and covery photography by Under the Bridge Publishing 608 215-4394.
Neal Ewers
The Joy of Christmas
Artist link
Label: Ravenswood Productions
Length: 75 minutes
Genre: Traditional
Release: 2003
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Joy To The World |
| Sweet Little Jesus Boy |
| The First Nöel |
| Sussex Carol |
| O Come, O Come Emmanuel |
| Away In A Manger (Medley) |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| Lullaby For The Christ Child |
| We Three Kings |
| I Saw Three Ships |
| O Sanctissima |
| Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella |
| Song Of Hope And Promise |
| O Little Town Of Bethlehem |
| Ding Dong! Merrily On High |
| Lo How A Rose |
| What Is This Fragrance |
| Now Is Born The Divine Christ Child |
| All My Heart This Night Rejoices |
| Good King Wenceslas |
| In The Twilight Of An Evening |
| Silent Night |
| O Come All Ye Faithful |