David Tolk Christmas
After eighteen years of a perfect driving record, I got a speeding ticket this weekend, thanks to new age pianist David Tolk. I was absorbed with his new Christmas music and neglected to reduce my speed while passing through the rural town of Levan. Oops. Ninety bucks later I’m back to the music.
Tolk is known for his contemplative instrumental arrangements with yearning harmonies–often nostalgically weaving multiple timeless melodies together. Instrumentalists on this album include Ryan Tilby on all sorts of guitars (Ryan also produced the album), Aaron Ashton on violin, and Daron Bradford on various woodwind instruments.
Tolk throws a few surprises at us with this album. There is a wider variety of instrumentation–more vocals (provided by his daughter MacKenzie), more keyboard, even an organ. Fans of electronica will enjoy David’s arrangements of “What Child is This” and “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” The unplugged devotees will enjoy David’s traditional sounds in “The Holly and the Ivy” and “Still Still Still.” My favorite moment of all (yep, the one that sent shivers up my spine) happens in “I Saw Three Ships.” Guitar strings dance in a gentle flurry and then it happens: strings soar in from above to the tune of “Joy to the World.” Take it from me you’ll want to listen to this part at full volume. David Tolk Christmas is worth buying for that moment alone–not to mention the awesome front cover:)
Check it out at davidtolk.com.
