Release Date: November 27, 2015
Label:
Dreamworld
Productions
Christmas Lights, Doug Hammer's tenth release, is a follow-up to
his award-winning Christmas album, Noel. It
contains seventeen traditional favorites and a new original composition, Christmas
Lights. There is a combination of new age, holiday, classical and more
mixed into the compositions.
Over the last year I have become more
appreciative of piano-based music than ever before. I find it simplistic and
complex, moving and emotional, relaxing and uplifting…those are a few of the
prominent terms that come to mind.
Doug’s piano playing invites you into a world filled
with the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child who is now an adult.
With all the bright colorful lights and the joy of taking a drive with your
family to see different houses and how their lights and decorations displayed
in all their splendor… the music sweeps you away to a magical place removed from your current
reality.
What is presented here is simple and
straightforward piano music with different elements sprinkled in, kind of like
Grandma’s special recipe for Christmas cookies. Doug’s talented fingers do all
the talking through this instrumental journey. With the stroke of each note the
Holiday is right at your doorstep beckoning you to come in and let it absorb
your being. If that is the intent here, it surely accomplishes that.
“Away In A Manger” is beautifully done. Doug’s fingers
delicately stroke the keys and you instantly envision the little Lord Jesus in
the manger. The effect is seamless, powerful and effective, taking you away to
when this event actually took place so long.
“Bring A Torch, Jeanette,
Isabella” is an upbeat track; it is like dancing on
the rooftops on a crisp winter night, thus asking the fair ladies to bring
along some light to lead the way. This probably has nothing to do with the
meaning of the song; however that is what it did for me. Everyone is affected
in different ways by music. The sheer beauty of unencumbered instrumental music
is the fact that you can paint your own picture as you go.
”Deck The Halls” is another age old-classic done in a
way you will likely hear for the first time. The piano playing is amazing. The
artist builds the song into his own by playing layer upon layer of keys and at
a very quick pace. It is like a tidal wave of music with one instrument serving
as the featured star. I absolutely loved it.
Doug closes the curtain on this newly born Christmas
classic recording with his original title track. It is a step away from the
norm as he turns the page on all the classic compositions and gives each listener
a taste of his own Christmas and his incredible talent for capturing the
moment. I found it a wonderful way to close out the album and it leaves it open
for another chapter to come perhaps?
It usually does not take me long to get my fill of
Christmas music because of the commercialism and it all kicking in prior to
Halloween now. This music however allows me to actually find the true meaning
of the Holiday and appreciate a talented artist pouring his heart and soul into
something that carries a message and heartfelt meaning. This is great
instrumental music that I think can be enjoyed any time of year, but for now
you are well advised to enjoy it and usher in the Holiday.
4.5/5 Stars
Tracks:
01. Angels We Have Heard On High
02. Joy To The World
03 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
04. Away In A Manger
05. Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant
06. Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
07. Deck The Halls
08. O Come, All Ye Faithful
09. What Child Is This?
10. Once In Royal David's City
11. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
12. Good King Wenceslas
13. Jingle Bells
14. Still, Still, Still
15. Coventry Carol
16. O Holy Night
17. Toyland
18. Christmas Lights
Key Tracks: Away In A
Manger, Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Deck The Halls
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder
December 5, 2015
Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews