Our Review
Low-key and always lovely, Vance Marino's classical guitar on Comfort & Joy gives you less and more than you might expect. First, keep in mind that this is classical guitar, so the music is sweeter and more muted than you would hear from a steel-stringed guitar. Second, the album contains no light-speed guitar gymnastics; instead, Comfort & Joy does what the title suggests, methodically wrapping listeners in a cozy blanket of comforting holiday favorites. Finally, this instrumental release is totally unexpected in format, simply mimicking the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) breakdown of four-part choirs. In other words, Marino's guitar tracks the four parts, creating beautiful, basic harmonies that will hang in your head long after the music ends. This also makes the music ideal for a sing-along, which I attempted in my dining room while reviewing this album on a particularly cold November night in Minnesota. My family was not amused.
Comfort and Joy contains 18 tracks with all the usual suspects. The pieces are largely ancient sacred carols, and every title is well familiar. The album's stark beauty is uplifting; I especially enjoyed "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," which continued to build on its simple melody until the number's satisfying close. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" also greatly benefits from the sparse, yet deeply heartfelt, approach.
Vance Marino has put together a very cool Christmas release. All too often, holiday offerings are crassly over-produced; Comfort & Joy takes listeners in an entirely different direction. This is the perfect album to put on your audio system for a quiet evening at home or for a small seasonal affair. It lets you think and cherish the moment, and don't we all need a little more of that?
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)
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From the liner notes:
Vance Marino, Guitarist
All songs arranged, adapted, and performed by Vance Marino
Produced by Vance Marino & tracey James Marino
Engineered by Vance Marino
From the Web site:
VANCE MARINO and TRACEY JAMES MARINO have been writing, producing and performing music together since they met in 1995.
Vance Marino
Comfort & Joy
Artist link
Label: SongMaker Productions
Length: 41 minutes
Genre: Classical
Release: 2005
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Joy To The World |
| Carol Of The Bells |
| It Came Upon A Midnight Clear |
| O Little Town Of Bethlehem |
| We Three Kings |
| Angels We Have Heard On High |
| What Child Is This? |
| Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming |
| O Holy Night |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| What Star Is This? |
| Hark! The Herald Angels Sing |
| The Coventry Carol |
| Away In A Manger |
| Go Tell It On The Mountain |
| The First Nöel |
| O Come, All Ye Faithful |
| Silent Night |