MuzikMan's Reviews And News: Holiday

Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

12/15/2020

Go Walkin’ In A RICK WAKEMAN Wonderland With A Deluxe Reissue Of The Holiday Favorite CHRISTMAS VARIATIONS!

Los Angeles, CA - Tis the season for holiday music to be heard on every street corner, in every grocery store aisle and over every personal stereo playing the same 5-10 songs over and over and over again. As mid-December approaches, the discernible music lover will be in search of the uniquely crafted, expertly arranged holiday versions to break the merry monotony. Enter Rick Wakeman’s much-loved album from 2000 Christmas Variations. Featuring a mix of familiar tunes - “Silent Night,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” - as well as lesser known classical-based compositions such as “Christians Awake Salute The Happy Mourn” and “Once In Royal David’s City,” this superb album offers bold interpretations of holiday songs as played by one of the most celebrated keyboardists in all of music. And this year brings a special offering as a deluxe reissue of Christmas Variations has just been released. Not only does this reissue offer a complete revamp of the artwork, it also 2 bonus tracks: “Silent Prayer” and a very moving live performance of “Amazing Grace.”

Christmas Variations is available now on digital, digipak CD and a glorious 2LP colored vinyl set in a gatefold jacket!

Order the album: https://orcd.co/rick_wakeman_christmas_variations

Track List:
1. Silent Night
2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
3. Christians Awake Salute The Happy Mourn
4. Away In A Manger
5. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
8. Once In Royal David's City
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. Angels From The Realms Of Glory
BONUS TRACKS
11. Silent Prayer
12. Amazing Grace (Live At Lincoln Cathedral 2018)

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

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Go Walkin’ In A RICK WAKEMAN Wonderland With A Deluxe Reissue Of The Holiday Favorite CHRISTMAS VARIATIONS!

Christmas Variations is available now on digital, digipak CD and a glorious 2LP colored vinyl set in a gatefold jacket!

Order the album: https://orcd.co/rick_wakeman_christmas_variations

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

12/14/2020

Alan Davey’s HAWKESTREL Continues To Spread Space Rock Cheer With Holiday Album SPACEXMAS!

Includes performances by Glenn Hughes, Rick Wakeman, Robby Krieger, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Nik Turner, Jürgen Engler, Nigel Potter, Adam Hamilton, Danny Faulkner, Steve Leigh and more!

Los Angeles, CA - 2020 has been one helluva productive year for Alan Davey. Not only did Mr. Davey, best known as the former bass player for British space rock legends Hawkwind, launch a new album by his Hawkwind supergroup Hawkestrel, the adventurous Pioneers Of Space, but he also saw the release of a 4CD set of demos called Four-Track Mind as well as a 3CD set from Davey’s prog rock side project Pre-Med and even joined Danny B. Harvey’s rockabilly project Headcat 13 for an album! And now to top it all off, Davey has returned with a sleigh full of superb musical guests on an all-new Hawkestrel Christmas album! SpaceXmas includes performances by former Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes, keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, The Doors’ Robby Krieger plus Hawkwind alums Huw Lloyd-Langton, Nik Turner, and lots more who blaze their way through revamped versions of holiday favorites such as “We Three Kings,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” next to original compositions such as “It’s A Wonderful (Funny Old) Life” and the hilarious “Twelve Daze Of Drinxmas.”

Davey had this to share about the album, “My goal with this album was to turn Xmas songs into non-cheesy space rock pieces anyone could enjoy listening to. That was difficult enough, but in 110 degrees Fahrenheit in July/August and in the Californian high desert was kind of surreal. It turned out better than I expected.......Happy SpaceXmas!”

SpaceXmas is available now digitally as well as on CD and in a very special limited edition Christmas color splattered vinyl!

Order the album: https://orcd.co/hawkestrel_pioneers_of_space

Track List:
1. Oh Holy Night
2. We Three Kings
3. It's A Wonderful (Funny Old) Life
4. Silent Night
5. Seasons
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. Für Kirsty
8. Ein Weihnachliches Lustobjekt
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. Jingle Bells
11. Hallelujah
12. Twelve Daze Of Drinxmas

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

Alan Davey’s HAWKESTREL Continues To Spread Space Rock Cheer With Holiday Album SPACEXMAS!

Includes performances by Glenn Hughes, Rick Wakeman, Robby Krieger, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Nik Turner, Jürgen Engler, Nigel Potter, Adam Hamilton, Danny Faulkner, Steve Leigh and more!

SpaceXmas is available now digitally as well as on CD and in a very special limited edition Christmas color splattered vinyl!

Order the album: https://orcd.co/hawkestrel_pioneers_of_space

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

10/24/2019

Prog Ensemble Potter's Daughter to Release Holiday Inspired Track "This Winter's Child"

NYC - Art Rock & Jazz Folk Fusion artist Potter's Daughter to release holiday-themed single “This Winter's Child” on November 1st, 2019! The single will be available both digitally, and as a CD single for the band's debut on MRR, the single made its debut during pre-sales at this year's ProgStock.

Potter's Daughter was formed in New York City while Dyanne Potter Voegtlin was studying classical piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music. A pupil of Robert Goldsand and Mike Longo, Dyanne searched for the marriage of classical theory and virtuosity with the freedom and innovation of jazz both in study and performance. Together with a rotating group of masters from many schools of music, Dyanne performed regularly in New York City, as well as in north-eastern Pennsylvania.

Now, together with long-time friend, Amit Chatterjee, (producer, arranger, and guitarist), and Ian C. Voegtlin (composer, bassist, guitarist, and saxophonist), they are looking forward to releasing their second single, “This Winter's Child.” This single returns to the acoustic and eclectic sound of their debut album, “The Blind Side.”

Featuring beautiful virtuosic piano and haunting vocal melodies, “This Winter’s Child” is indicative of the Progressive Folk style of Potter’s Daughter’s vocal music. Potter’s Daughter’s unique mix of Progressive Folk vocal music and instrumental Prog/Fusion makes them one of today’s most interesting new artists!

Recording and Production Info:
“This Winter's Child”
Featuring Ian C. Voegtlin: Bass and Guitar
Dyanne Potter Voegtlin: Piano and Vocals
Amit Chatterjee: Percussion
Lyrics by Ronda Dubiel and Dyanne Potter Voegtlin.
Produced by Amit Chatterjee
Cover art by Ian C. Voegtlin

Quotes:
“…Great writing and performing. Absolutely beautiful and rich music…brilliant, poetic, fresh…” - Grammy Award winning composer and arranger Lee Johnson (The Grateful Dead Symphony)

“…just beautiful..I love your voice, and chord progressions are sublime” - Jon Anderson (lead singer of progressive rock band, Yes)

Potter's Daughter Online:
Website: https://pottersdaughterband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PottersDaughterBand/
MRR Artist Profile: https://mrrmusic.com/potters-daughter/

Listen // Buy // & Share:
Amazon: amzn.to/2qsUdKn
Bandcamp: bit.ly/2Mqk1PM
CD Baby: bit.ly/33JPG4E
iTunes: apple.co/2P1hTQm
Spotify: spoti.fi/35O57uo

Media & Booking:
pottersdaughterband@gmail.com

Label Contact:
Nick Katona
nick@melodicrevolution.com
Melodic Revolution Records ● 1705 Edgewater Drive ● Box 540212 ● Orlando, Florida ● 32854-0212

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Prog Ensemble Potter's Daughter to Release Holiday Inspired Track "This Winter's Child"

12/28/2018

New Holiday Song By Jon Anderson - Love Is Everything

Here's a new Holiday song by Jon Anderson - Love Is Everything

www.jonanderson.com

New Holiday Song By Jon Anderson - Love Is Everything

Here's a new Holiday song by Jon Anderson - Love Is Everything

www.jonanderson.com

12/21/2018

Guitarist Markus Reuter Releases First Christmas Album

Download the album for free!

Poly-disciplinary musician and touch guitarist Markus Reuter has just released his first Christmas album - a free, limited-availability-period recording of five traditional Christmas songs (each of which has been given Markus’ distinctive loop/solo/soundscape treatment). As with much of Markus’ music, the pieces are accessible and enjoyable while concealing hidden depths. Beneath and behind Markus’ soulful touch guitar renditions of the original melodies, billowing detailed soundscapes are built on re-examinations and explorations of the pitch series of each tune. Listeners can enjoy the simple snowfall, or choose to tunnel deeper into the ice kingdom. A parallel universe... strangely hypnotizing.

The album is available for free download from https://iapetus-store.com/album/winter-solstice-free-download between 17th and 31st December 2018 (and is available long-term as a free 5.1. surround sound version from https://surroundmusic.one/album/winter-solstice/).

For more information:
http://www.markusreuter.com
http://www.iapetus-media.com
http://www.touchguitars.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Guitarist Markus Reuter Releases First Christmas Album

Download the album for free!

11/17/2018

Seventies Hitmakers America's Christmas Album "Holiday Harmony" Released Worldwide!

London - Remember the seventies, when the charts were filled with classic songs such as “A Horse With No Name”? Now Gonzo Multimedia has released worldwide the Christmas album from the band who had that international hit, America, featuring ten familiar Christmas songs and three original songs. With Andrew Gold (another name from the seventies) as producer and multi-instrumentalist, fans of seventies pop music will enjoy this. The set opens with “Winter Wonderland,” which even reminds us of their biggest hit with its arrangement. Other tracks here also provide reminders of their hits.

The year 2018 marks the 48th Anniversary of America. Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.

From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America's audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans, all bearing testament to the group's enduring appeal. “I think that the ingredients of the America sound are the basic fundamentals that translate internationally,” explains Beckley. “The Italians are huge fans of dance music, but they also love a ballad - they're romantic at heart. It's the same in the Far East. A lot of times in these countries, we see people singing along, and they don't really know what the words mean. Music is truly the international language.”

If you enjoy America's seventies classic hits, you will love America's “Holiday Harmony.” As a Christmas album alone, it is undoubtedly one of the very best.

Tracks:
Winter Wonderland | Let It Snow | White Christmas | A Christmas to Remember | Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Sleigh Ride | Silver Bells | Christmas in California | It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas | Winter Holidays | Frosty the Snowman | Silent Night | The First Noel | A Holly Jolly Christmas (2010 Collector’s Edition Bonus Track)

Release Date: 9th November 2018

To purchase: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/16132

America's official website: http://www.venturahighway.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

10/18/2018

Take A Ride This Christmas With Rock/Soul Legend MITCH RYDER On His First Ever Holiday Album!

Los Angeles, CA - Of the many gifts given to the world by the Detroit music scene, from the compositions of Duke Ellington to the raw punk power of The Stooges and current Hall Of Fame nominees The MC5, one of the most enduring has been the unforgettable voice of Mitch Ryder. Whether performing with or without his Detroit Wheels, Ryder has been one of the most dominant figures in the Motor City’s bountiful music scene for the last 4 decades, stuffing the world’s musical stockings with such sweet hits as “Devil With A Blue Dress On,” “Jenny (Take A Ride)” and lots more! This year he proudly presents a collection of brand new recordings to celebrate the spirit and soul of Christmas, called Christmas (Take A Ride), which finds the blue-eyed crooner offering fresh takes on holiday classics made famous by Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen along with seasonal favorites “Let It Snow,” “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and more! Christmas (Take A Ride) will be available on both CD and digital starting October 26 via Goldenlane Records, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc.

Also be sure to watch for a new album from Ryder featuring very special guest appearances by James Williamson (The Stooges), Sylvain Sylvain (NY Dolls), Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers), Joe Louis Walker, Brian Auger and more!

Track List:
1. What Christmas Means To Me
2. Blue Christmas
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Someday At Christmas
5. Jingle Bell Rock
6. Santa Claus
7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
8. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
9. Sleigh Ride
10. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
11. Let It Snow
12. Put A Little Love In Your Heart

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/mitch-ryder-christmas-take-a-ride-cd/
Buy the digital: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/christmas-take-a-ride/1438765132

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com

GOLDENLANE RECORDS
Facebook @GoldenlaneRecords
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenlaneRecords/
Twitter @GoldenlaneRecs
https://twitter.com/GoldenlaneRecs

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com

12/22/2015

Holiday/New Age/Classical Review: Jennifer Thomas-Winter Symphony

Release Date: November 20, 2015

Label: Tickled Ivory Music

Website

Jennifer Thomas is a talented multidimensional artist. She is a composer, pianist and violinist with a lot of respect coming from her peers in the industry. With Winter Symphony she takes tradition and several genres and creates a magnificent soundtrack. The album is titled appropriately as it is a shimmering and magical journey. At times certain parts did remind me of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I knew after hearing the first track that this recording was going to be prolific and moving.

The curtain opens to a spectacular unraveling of sound and color with “Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus),” and the chorus indeed sounds like it was heaven sent.

The brilliance of “Carol of the Bells” opens the door to the Holiday with parts of a legendary track that come alive with cascading piano and orchestrations. Classical and New Age music merge with tradition for an entirely new universe of music for a listener to enjoy.

As an individual that gets inundated with Holiday music every year it becomes harder and harder to get my attention and any particular release to make a lasting impression. I have been fortunate this year to hear several great unconventional recordings that gave me a new perspective and outlook on this special Holiday season.

“Ice Dance” is a musical ballet with the grandeur of orchestrations, a choir and Jennifer’s tinkling and alluring piano strokes. It is quite beautiful…you can envision a lone ice skater joined by others as the song reaches its apex then winds down like a snow globe in your mind gently bringing it back to the singularity of purpose this dance represents.

As mature and distinct as this music is it can most certainly bring to light the child inside all of us. Remember when you were the wide eyed little girl/boy full of the wonder of Christmas morning? It is all here for you to absorb and hold in your heart for as long as you wish or to listen to again and again.

Winter Symphony needs a stage with actors to play out the parts of this engrossing musical story. I would not be surprised to see it all come to life on a stage or on the screen someday soon. If that does not happen I will surprised. There is so much going on in this music, it makes you feel alive and grateful for life and all there is to enjoy. The power of music proves once again that it can heal and change an attitude within minutes. The spirit of humanity and the holidays are alive and breathing in this music, do not miss it!

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Carol of the Bells, Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus), Ice Dance

Tracks:
01. Angels We Have Heard On High (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
02. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
03. Carol of the Bells
04. Alleluia (feat. Felicia Farerre & The Ensign Chorus)
05. Ice Dance (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
06. I Saw Three Ships
07. Breath of Heaven
08. Theme from Home Alone (Somewhere in My Memory)
09. What Child Is This (feat. Taylor Davis)
10. Silent Night (feat. The Ensign Chorus)
11. Winter Symphony
12. O Holy Night

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

December 22, 2015

Provided By New Age Music Reviews

12/05/2015

Holiday/Christmas/New Age Review: David Lanz & Kristin Amarie-Forever Christmas

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Label: DKL Records

Website: http://davidlanz.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KristinAmariesmusic

David Lanz & Kristin Amarie are frozen in time with their release Forever Christmas. The recording was released last November and rings true a year later and certainly will well beyond that. After all what is time but a ticking clock? Good music is timeless, and this particular album is a thing of beauty and grace to usher in one of the most sacred Holidays celebrated the world over.

Lanz is a world renowned pianist and the talented vocalist Amarie become one on Forever Christmas. The two artists are also life partners and that bond is evident in their musical partnership. The synergy and flow of this music is exceptional.

The music presented is traditional, new age and classical all fused together to make a non-traditional listen. I mean that in a very positive way. This is not what you are hearing blaring over the speakers every year at your local retail store. This music is precise with a lot meaning. It is enlightening and relaxing and in the same instance as uplifting as Holiday music could possibly be.

The title track leads the way into the magical time of Christmas. It is not only special to children but to everyone that celebrates it. People gather to exchange gifts and show their love and appreciation for each other. The music itself is a celebration.

As you make your way through this newly discovered Holiday classic, a traditional ageless song is revisited. “Silent Night” is one of the most memorable tunes ever crafted and David and Anmarie do it justice. The piano is delicate and inviting and Amarie sounds like the angel singing it, bringing with it the light of love and creation with every breath. This is a magnificent rendition that I will not forget.

Then there is always the one instrumental that catches my ear, lifts my spirit and moves me. That track was “What is Christmas.” David’s piano playing is superb. As his fingers glide across the ivory keys as the meaning of the season and the Holidays consume you.

Christmas is forever and with one listen to Forever Christmas you will feel that is your reality, at least for as long as you are listening. Alternatively, if you decide to carry those feelings and meanings with you every day then this can serve a twofold purpose. This kind of music makes us all realize how important friends and family are and if you let the music flow through you so will the spirit of giving and the Holiday.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Forever Christmas, Silent Night, What is Christmas (instrumental)

Tracks:
01. Winter Prelude
02. Forever Christmas
03. Snow Dance
04. Oh Holy Night
05. La Estrella de la Navidad
06. Jubilate
07. Sweet Winter Love
08. What is Christmas
09. Winter Star
10. A Thousand Lights
11. Sweet Winter Love instr.
12. Silent Night
13. What is Christmas (instrumental)
14. Heavenly Peace

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

December 5, 2015

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

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12/15/2020

12/14/2020

10/24/2019

12/28/2018

12/21/2018

11/17/2018

10/18/2018

12/22/2015

12/05/2015