New Age Music Reviews: Tom Caufield

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Label: Bohemian Embassy

Hearing Holiday music is reserved for the season in which it is celebrated right? Well that is not always the case. At times there is that rare recording dedicated to Christmas classics that can be listened to at any time of year. Tom Caufield’s I Heard It Was Christmas Day happens to be one of those albums.

Caufield easily strums and picks his way into your heart and mind with expert six-string playing. He creates superb textures and intimate sounds that draw you in and keep you.

“I Heard It Was Christmas Day” has a prolific name and the kind of diversity in playing that I found very impressive. Along with Tom’s playing there are some bells jingling in the background that sound like a horse drawn sleigh. It all created a picture in my mind, like a classic Norman Rockwell painting set to this most beautiful and tasteful music.

“Silent Night” was always a song that gave me chills and touched my soul. Tom’s playing is well thought out and tastefully done. Like gentle falling snow with the North Star shining brightly in the sky; his notes hit your consciousness and put you right in the manager with baby Jesus.

Acoustic music with such intricacies and simplicity is difficult to make into something memorable as this album. Tom accomplished this with little help of other instruments besides his guitars. This has a lot going in the background of each track however his guitar is right out front and that is what your senses key in on. If there ever was peripheral hearing like there was sight (like a quarterback seeing the entire field) then this would be the time to use it.

The best thing about this music is that is relaxing and it sets your mind at ease. As the guitar flows, so does your feelings pushed along by the music.

“God Rest You” is a brilliant track. You would never believe it was a Christmas while listening. It comes across more like a soundscape for a good western or some desert scenery. At around the 2 minute mark or so the song shifts so you get a taste of the original melody. I really appreciate the transitions in this track and I thought it was brilliant. It was country meets holiday and they get together for an old fashioned Christmas set to some incredible acoustic music.

There was a lot to like about I Heard It Was Christmas Day and not a thing to complain about. Musical perfection is difficult to arrive at. It seems the more I hear recordings like this I am becoming more convinced that it entirely possible. This album has the full respect and appreciation of my diligent ears and I think many other listeners will feel the same way.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: I Heard It Was Christmas Day, Silent Night, God Rest You

Tracks:
01. Joy To The World
02. Hark On High
03. Carol of the Drum
04. What Child Is This?
05. I Heard It Was Christmas Day
06. Silent Night
07. God Rest You
08. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
09. Aude Lang Syne

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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November 12, 2016

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews