Our Review
A Celebration of Old World Christmas Music is all about one talented guy, Richard Searles, doing it all. He plays the instruments (guitars, dulcimer, recorders, concertina, chimes, percussion), created the lovely arrangements, and recorded and mixed the whole affair. At the day's end, Searles should be one proud fellow; this instrumental release is a sweet melange of 18 holiday tunes done in the Celtic/folk style, with some worldly spicing thrown in. Quite the delicious dish!
Searles' arrangements often focus on the guitar, but he lets his imagination expand the sound to many levels and layers, concocting a delightful tapestry of sound. For example, his Masters in This Hall is one of the finest I've heard; the song has jazzy undertones and a mystical Eastern vibe--extremely cool, but totally accessible. Fum, fum, fum is similarly robust and stylish. On occasion, the holiday tunes reflect synthesized background "orchestration" (like on Ave Maria), and though tastefully executed, the feel is not quite as authentic or warm as on those that feature acoustic instruments. In contrast, Searles' guitar-centric pieces like Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring have tremendous heart, and his Away in a Manger (featuring the concertina, I think) and
This pleasing instrumental offering covers 18 tracks in 47 minutes, providing an impressive "world tour" of sacred and secular holiday numbers from another era. With Richard Searles as the tour guide, the trip is guaranteed to be rewarding. So sit back, relax, and let Searles show you the sights.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)
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From the liner notes:
Richard Searles: Classical & Steel String Guitars, Hammered Dulcimer, Recorders, Concertina, Chimes, and Percussion
Recorded and Mixed by Richard Searles
Mastered by David Donnelly, DNA Mastering
All arrangements by Richard Searles, Earth Dance Music
Richard Searles
A Celebration of Old World Christmas Music
Artist link
Label: Earth Dance Music
Length: 47 minutes
Genre: New Age
Release: 2006
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Carol of the Bells |
| The Boar's Head Carol |
| O Holy Night |
| Masters In This Hall |
| Shepherds' Cradle Song |
| Ave Maria |
| Away In a Manger |
| God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen |
| Orientis Partibus |
| What Chld Is This? |
| Fum, fum, fum |
| Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring |
| Pat a Pan |
| Riu, riu, chiu |
| This Endris Night |
| Baloo, Lammy |
| Carol of the Birds |
| Silent Night |