Our Review
Robert Way's orchestral arrangements are flavorful and extravagant. Old school contemporary classical, they manage to cross the line, for me at least, into almost post-modern new age impressionism. At times elegantly regal, and at other times playful, these sixteen songs paint an inviting winter portrait by Courier and Ives. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is a nostalgic quality to Way's music that reminds me of my own childhood. This may be a reflection of his radio work during the 1960s and '70s, the time when I was coming of age and listening to a lot of mainstream AM radio; radio music from that era has a certain sound, easy for me to hear but difficult to characterize. That was the era of Muzak and other instrumental homogenization of popular music. Way's arrangements reflect the best impulses of that era. But at the same time, his music has the soothing quality of new age music. It is a splendid hybrid, and one that should garner wide appeal.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2008)
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From the liner notes:
Arrangements and orchestrations by Robert R. Way
From the Web site:
The Music Way is Robert Way, composer/arranger. His work
has had a broad scope ranging from radio jingles to religious
cantatas for narrator, large concert orchestra and large choir.
He has also composed for films, radio and TV programs.
Robert has an undergraduate degree in Music, a four year
graduate program in Theology and a 5 year graduate program
in Psychology.
His most active time period was from 1960 to mid 1970?s.
The absence from the music world (1975 - 1995) was due to
a career change to Clinical Psychology. Following retirement
in 1995, he returned to the music world which is his first love.
He regards his music as impressionistic and mood setting.
His Southern heritage is manifested in the impressionistic
settings of the Spirituals he grew up with as a child. The
interpretations are quite different from those we usually hear.
Robert Way Orchestra
Christmas Brings Joy
Artist link
Label: Reynall Music Publishers
Length: 55 minutes
Genre: Electronic
Release: 2008
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Christmas Brings Joy |
| Angel Questions |
| Long Ago And Far Away |
| God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen |
| Give Heed My Heart |
| Ice Crystals |
| Willie Take Your Little Drum |
| In That Poor Stable |
| Good Christian Men, Rejoice |
| O My Dear Heart |
| Masters In This Hall |
| The Happy Christmas Comes Once More |
| I Saw Three Ships |
| Sweet Lil' Jesus Boy |
| O Come, O Come Emmanuel |
| O Christmas Tree |