Our Review
Let's be honest. New age piano music can sound a bit bland and repetitive, pretty but pretty ho-hum. In contrast, Rick Seaton's "Ivory Angels: Christmas Carols Reinvented" lives up to its name; the artist reinvents our most beloved holiday carols in bright and creative ways. No ho-hum about it.
This Christmas CD is all about Seaton; he composed the music, he arranged the music, and he produced the music. Perhaps the reason this CD exceeds the boundaries of your average new age piano album is that Seaton manipulates a whole host of synthesized excitement, in addition to being a keyboard virtuoso. Thus, even though the piano is the immodest star at the center of this musical universe, there are well-crafted layers of other instrumentation interwoven across the top, the bottom, the middle. Nice.
Don't get me wrong--"Ivory Angels" is not an over-synthesized show. It has wonderful balance, providing splendor in the simplicity of some songs ("In The Bleak Midwinter" and "Angels We Have Heard On High" are such treasures) and intriguing beauty in the sophisticated complexity of other arrangements (the rockin' and syncopated "O Little Town Of Bethlehem," the swingin' jazz excitement of "Once in Royal David's City"; the intoxicating samba rhythm in "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"). There is a surprise around every corner.
What are the best moments on this disc? The opening "What Child Is This" is one, combining many strengths--drama, multiple layers, excellent piano, delicately simple interludes, and synthesized Mannheim Steamroller excitement. Seaton's presentation of "I Saw Three Ships" is another; I love the carol, and the artist's masterful excellent piano treatment had me holding my breath with expectation and wonder--SUPERB right down to the dramatic finish! The CD finishes strongly with a very inventive (both hard rockin' and not) "Masters In This Hall."
Kudos to you, Rick Seaton! For those who enjoy Mannheim Steamroller or just love exciting instrumental interpretations of Christmas standards, "Ivory Angels" may be just the reinvention you seek!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)
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From the liner notes:
Composed, arranged, and produced by Rick Seaton.
From the website:
"Ivory Angels: Christmas Carols Reinvented!" Lively, upbeat, classical, jazzy, new age & rock all in one! Rick is an accomplished pianist, organist, composer, freelance musician working and teaching in the Denver Metro area.
Rick holds a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Denver. He has also studied piano abroad with the Royal Danish Conservatory.
Rick has been active as a church musician in the Denver area for 16 years, and is currently organist at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Denver.
Rick's first CD, "Ivory Angels" has been very well received. Rick is presently working on his next album which will debut in fall 2004
Rick Seaton
Ivory Angels: Christmas Carols Reinvented
Artist link
Label: Rick Seaton
Length: 42 minutes
Genre: New Age
Release: 2003
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| What Child Is This |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| O Little Town Of Bethlehem |
| In The Bleak Midwinter |
| Once in Royal David's City |
| I Saw Three Ships |
| It Came Upon The Midnight Clear |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| Coventry Carol/Away In A Manger |
| Silent Night |
| Masters In This Hall |