RICK SEATON

Ivory Angels: Christmas Carols Reinvented

Seaton Studios (2003)

review by Michael Woodhead

Christmas comes early this year or, perhaps if you missed it last year, you can recall the joyous season with this marvelous collection of 'reinvented' Christmas carols. And it doesn't have to be Christmas for anyone to enjoy this CD - the carols are so unlike the carols we normally associate with Christmas that the music can be delighted in at any time of the year. With a sprinkling of light jazz, contemporary pop, new age fusion and a very improvisational feel, Rick Seaton offers charming renditions of familiar melodies that delight, uplift and inspire on the one hand, and that make us pause for reflection on the other.

Just a few observations on some of the eleven pieces: A sprightly version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" stirs together fuzz guitar, piano, recorder, drums, and cymbals to yield a very contemporary version of this ages-old song. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a passionate piano solo that instantly draws one into a concert setting. Close your eyes and be carried away. A carpet of synth music introduces "It came Upon a Midnight Clear" which is then carried along by piano, again, as the synth flows in and out to punctuate and enhance further verses on flute. A slight off-beat gives a new and different, but nice version. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" presents us with a syncopated beat that further enhances the more contemporary feel of the whole album. Harp and angelic voices caress our ears with a lovely rendition of "Coventry Carol" and "Away in a Manger," and then the CD rounds out with a rousing, Celtic-type version of "Masters in This Hall."

As I said, the music presented here can be enjoyed year round without a Christmas-type atmosphere, and I look forward to seeing what Rick presents us on his upcoming fall 2004 album. Rick is an accomplished pianist, organist, composer, and freelance musician working and teaching in the Denver Metro area, and is currently organist at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Denver.

My Favourite: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"