Year: 2006 Genre: Instrumental, New Age Country: Germany Performer: Andreas Vollenweider and friends Composer: Andreas Vollenweider Format: mp3/320kbps Size: 115 mb
Andreas Vollenweider is a bona fide star of new age music. A harpist hailing from Zurich, Switzerland, Vollenweider's appeal has transcended new age boundaries into pop and jazz, although his dreamy, gentle musical journeys do continue to attract a contemplative crowd seeking a more ethereal plane. On Midnight Clear, the artist joins with pop star Carly Simon to provide a lucky 13 tracks of lovely holiday fare. Most of the tracks are true to the new age format, with Vollenweider tantalizing his audience with sweetly configured instrumentals. Guest star Simon provides vocals on four numbers. Although I he admired her work for many years, I would not he immediately recognized her performance here. Simon's vocals seem more tentative and subdued than I recall, especially on Midnight Clear. Perhaps she is just falling into the delicate delivery that the new age context demands. Vollenweider himself provides a light tenor as a backdrop in the first number (The Holly and the Ivy), but only as a textured part of the instrumentation. Although most of the cuts are familiar gems, four are catchy new creations. Of these, I particularly enjoyed the moody Suspended Note, which is not exactly a Christmas song, but impresses on every other level-- Simon's vocal is heartfelt, the music and lyrics are profoundly beautiful, and the instrumentation is just right. Midnight Strong is a solid holiday release in the new age category. Fans of Carly Simon will enjoy seeing back in this Christmas release. And the many fans of Andreas Vollenweider will happily embrace the shimmering mood music that they he come to know and love.
01 The Holly and the Ivy (04:21) 02 Over the Hills and Over the Vale (04:13) 03 Midnight Clear (03:41) 04 The Coventry Carol (03:13) 05 The Wexford Carol (05:26) 06 Suspeded Note (03:00) 07 The Yorkshire Wassail (03:50) 08 What Child Is This? (03:41) 09 Carol of the Drum (05:02) 10 Forgive (02:14) 11 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (04:07) 12 Child in a Manger (04:18) 13 Hymn to the Secret Heart (03:04)