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Our Review

So simple, yet so profound. Philip Wesley's delicate Comfort and Joy is an elegant new age album of solo piano portraits. This music creates a beautiful backdrop for intimate get-togethers with family and friends this holiday season. If you enjoy the new age stylings of David Lanz, you will welcome Wesley's superb playing with open arms and a glad heart. Relax--Wesley has everything well under control.

Comfort and Joy has twelve tracks; the first nine are ancient traditional carols, and the last three are Wesley creations. With almost an hour of instrumental music, the twelve excellent arrangements are fully-developed and well-executed. Most cuts are four to six minutes in length, and the soaring music stays with you long after the notes fade.

The album opens in a hush with "Away in a Manger." The opening bars are incredibly fragile and soft, like the breath of an angel across your cheek. You can see the newborn babe blissfully sleeping in the manger. As the number progresses the tempo and volume accelerate, and the experience becomes more intense and joyful. Wesley paints each piece with gentle rapture; the creative arrangements are multi-layered and exquisite. Although the soul of each familiar number remains recognizable as Wesley's hands run the keyboard, his treatment breathes vibrant new life into pieces like "Joy to the World," "Silent Night," and (my personal favorite & the longest track) "Carol of the Bells." Ahh. . . just lovely!

Wesley's own three numbers fit naturally with the traditional fare; each conveys the intended sentiment, especially the melancholy yearning underlying "Wishing for Home," the album's close.

Philip Wesley's Comfort and Joy is a timeless, new age treasure and a definite stress-buster. This outstanding album will protect you from the crasser aspects of the holiday season, taking you to a place that is serenely sweet.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Tracks 1-9 traditional. Arranged and performed by Philip Wesley.
Tracks 10-12 composed, arranged, and performed by Philip Wesley.
Recorded on a 7-foot Steinway Grand Piano July 2005 by Michael Dulin at Polymusic studios in Birmingham, AL.
Engineered by Michael Dulin.

My earliest memories of the holidays have always been about family, friends, and music. I can't remember a season without the sounds of the holidays, snow covered trees, and of course all the food! For many us though, this poignant time of year can also be very stressful. May the music on this CD bring you comfort, joy, peace, and a spirit of the holiday season all year long.

Many blessings to you and your family.
--Philip Wesley

Philip Wesley

Comfort and Joy

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Track List