CD Review: "Pretend It's Christmas"

"Pretend It's Christmas" is a yuletide release by Indiana-based musician Paul Parnell, and it is also his inaugural effort as a recording artist.   In addition to providing the vocals, Paul served as composer and lyricist, and played piano and Hammond B3 organ.  "Pretend It's Christmas" is an admirable effort from a multi-faceted musician.

Paul has a strong voice with a good bari-tenor range.  The opening album namesake track immediately displays Paul's strength as a vocalist, and throughout the album the more spiritual songs are supported by the power and purity of his voice.

Paul's songwriting is founded in the Christian rather than the secular aspect of the holiday, with most of the songs exploring the spiritual side.  However, my two favorite songs were "Christmas Indiana" and "I Found My Christmas Baby", the two most secular and least religious songs on the record.  These were more creative, and relied less on standard phraseology.  Oddly enough, Paul's vocals did not display the power and range on these as well as on the others.  So, while the songwriting was average on the more religious songs, they were more indicative of his vocal talent.

Modern, contemporary Christian music is not a genre to my musical taste.  However, Paul Parnell very competently performs his songs, and he will find his audience.  He is an emerging artist, and will improve his songwriting skills.  Most importantly, especially for a new artist, is that Paul's reverence and passion for this project are evident.  For that, I admire Paul Parnell.

For more information about Paul Parnell and to hear selections from his CD, please visit his website:  http://paulparnellmusic.com/home/

This CD was provided to me as a promotional item.

CD Review: "A Winter Gathering"

There are many sub-genres within the Christmas Music canon:  orchestral, kiddie, crooner, rock, pop vocal, pop instrumental, and so on.  Listeners have their favorite styles, and preferred times and places to listen to a particular selection.

With "A Winter Gathering", Shauna Burns has risen to the top of the "Mystical" Christmas music genre, and indeed may be a bona fide pioneer.

"A Winter Gathering" is a nearly flawless, beautiful listening experience.  Ms. Burns performances on vocal and piano define the mood from the opening "Winter Star" through the album's closing piece, an instrumental version of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen".  She is joined by musicians on percussion, Celtic Harp, Cello, and even Penny Whistle and Uilleann Pipes.  Together, the cast of artists complete the vision of a mystical, magical Winter's night.

What is most striking is the song selection and sequencing.  Ms. Burns' songs form a journey through a night, following a star.  In her hands, "White Christmas" becomes not a reminiscence but a hope for the future.  'What a Wonderful World" is a capstone message of joy following "The Gathering".  Perhaps a gathering at a stable some 2000 years ago?  These songs take on new meaning in this setting, different than their traditional secular place in the world of Christmas music.

"Silent Night", one of the most challenging songs for an artist to capture and make their own, is another highlight.  Ms. Burns performance is one of ethereal beauty, and truly striking.  Preceding and paired with "The First Noel", these songs provide a climax to the album, followed by the four-song denouement to bring the record to a close.

I have to give a nod to the production.  Shauna Burns and James Clark, with Sean O'Dwyer, have given us a gem for the Christmas season.  Without the vision and drive of the producers, an artist's work will not reach its potential.  Not the case here - kudos to the producers.

I highly recommend "A Winter Gathering".  Once your Christmas tree is up, turn off the house lights and let the Christmas tree lights softly illuminate the room, queue up this abum, and enjoy it in the quiet solitude of a Christmas evening.  For me, that describes the time and place for this amazing record.

Shauna Burns Music:  http://www.shaunaburns.com/

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"A Winter Gathering" was sent to me as a promotional CD from Red Rock Music/Miles High Productions.

Official Disclosure

As readership of Merry and Bright grows, I'm getting the opportunity to review promotional materials submitted to me.  I'm happy to share my opinions of these materials with my readers.  To cover the bases regarding disclosure, here is my statement regarding reviews and materials received:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF FACTS:

1.) I swear or affirm all of the following statements are true.

2.) The albums or CDs I have reviewed at this blog prior to November 2011 have been my own purchases, gifts given to me by friends or family, or have been purchased and downloaded online.

3)  Unless otherwise noted, all reviews posted at this blog after November 1, 2011 will be music from my own purchases, gifts by friends or family, or legally downloaded music files.

4)  CDs received as promotional material and reviewed here will be clearly indicated as being unsolicited promotional material. 

5)  No compensation will be accepted for reviews.  Any compensation, gifts, or other material beyond the CDs and related promotional material will not be accepted.  Any submissions containing currency, gifts, or other non-promotional material will be returned to the sender.

6)  Opinions expressed in reviews are my own.  Opinions expressed in comments are the opinions of the commenters only.  Profane, distasteful, or other comments not meeting the standards of the blogger will not be tolerated and will be removed.

Thanks for  your patience (and thanks to Captain OT for providing a disclosure statement model).

And thanks to Joe for catching a critical omission of a "not".