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Our Review

Tom Ransom's Pure Joy: A Ransomed Christmas, Volume 2 is a better than average set of classic carols performed in an enjoyable New Age flamenco style. While some of the accompanying parts appear (from the liner notes, at least) synthesized, Ransom's guitar work is the real deal. One of the techniques he employs is to play the song's theme, while mixing in as counterpoint a second, oftentimes non-Christmas song. For example, on The Little Town Of Bethlehem, Ransom mixes in hints of Kenny Loggins' Return To Pooh Corner, to pleasant effect.

In similar fashion, Ransom simply combines songs into medleys. Now I am not always a big fan of medleys, but allowances must be made with holiday tunes: we've all heard these songs a few times, so one can't really get one's panties in a bunch because an artist isn't respecting the integrity of a single song. And in fact Ransom's While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks/How Great Our Joy/The Hallelujah Chorus is robust and joyous and not at all hard to listen to.

Ransom's style is energetic and sunny. There is not a loser in the bunch on this record. Fans of New Age Spanish style guitar will enjoy Tom Ransom's Pure Joy: A Ransomed Christmas, Volume 2.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the promotional materials:

Tom Ransom holds a degree from the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston as well as a BME from the University of Missouri/Kansas City Conservatory of Music. As owner and producer of Ransomed Productions, Tom has served recording artists in the Kansas City area since 1988.

Ransom has just Finished producing his thrid CD "A Ransomed Christmas, Vol 2" in which he arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered the entire work.

"A Ransomed Christmas Vol 1," released in 2000, has received great reviews from listeners across the nation as well as national radio airplay on selected stations. Anthony Glise of Aevia Productions Ltd. says of the CD, "Christmas music with a fantastic new approach--pure enjoyment."

Several cuts from Ransom's "On My Way To Paradise," an independent contemporary jazz CD, have also received airplay on smooth jazz stations across the United States.

Ransom also serves as a clinician, lecturer and juror at the annual St. Joseph Missouri International Guitar Festival.

Tom Ransom

Pure Joy: A Ransomed Christmas,
Volume 2

Artist link

Track List