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Our Review

I love reviewing holiday music. Oh, on occasion the task can get a tad tedious, but for the most part, it's a tremendously rewarding pursuit. And when I hear fine offerings like Sam Stryke's Christmas, all is right with the world.

Christmas is a fantastic, eclectic blend of new age and jazz, a marriage that is neither boring nor predictable. Stryke is an accomplished pianist whose intensely creative arrangements make these holiday standards vibrantly alive. Although there are two solo piano tracks (a densely layered, yet simple, Still, Still, Still and Stryke's warmly evocative, self-penned Winter), this album offers considerable variety beyond Stryke's exquisite keyboard action. For one thing, the single vocal cut is riveting, a revised Holly and the Ivy complete with Stryke's new lyrics and Alice Peacock's richly emotive voice (hmmmm.... does Alice have a holiday release?). On other tracks, Stryke's piano is joined by strings, brass and/or percussion, and the mix is elegant and outstanding, through and through. My favorite number might be the compelling Carol of the Bells/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel medley with its multiple layers of guitar, deep strings, and cool percussion intertwined with Stryke's ever-present piano foundation. Excellent!

Music like this just makes me feel good. The mood is mellow, but stimulating, in a most pleasant way. Talent shines from every note, and the production values are superb. Shine on, Sam Stryke; your Christmas has already brightened my holiday season and will be a good companion for many seasons to come!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Musicians:

Sam Stryke - Piano, Hammond B3
Alice Peacock - Vocals on "The Holly and the Ivy"
Sandy Torano - Acoustic Guitar on "Carol of the Bells/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "Deck the Halls," and "O Tannenbaum"
Fareed Haque - Classical Guitar on "Carol of the Bells/O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "Remembering Decembers," and "Good King Wenceslas"
John Rice - Fiddle, Mandolin, and Acoustic Guitar on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "The Holly and the Ivy," and "Angels We Have Heard on High"
Steven Houser - Violincello
Winston Damon - Tuba, Trombone
Larry Kohut - Acoustic Bass
Larry Beers - Drums
Jose Rendon - Percussion
Thomas Yang - Strings Contractor

Violins - Thomas Yang, Jeff Yang, Rika Seko, Katherine Hughes, Teresa Fream, Karl Davies
Violincellos - Margaret Daly, Jill Kaeding, Richard Yeo, Steven Houser

All music arranged by Sam Stryke
"Remembering Decembers" and "Winter" composed by Sam Stryke
"The Holly and the Ivy" original lyrics by Sam Stryke

Produced by Sam Stryke

Sam Stryke

Christmas

Artist link

Track List