Traditional songs with a uniquely contemporary slant. Michael Barden knows how to work a keyboard. This music is thrilling, relaxing, and joyful. I highly recommend it.
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I spent more time than usual thinking about how to characterize Michael Barden's style of play (it's my job), and concluded that his style is somewhat genre-defying. Because the final cut, I'll Be Home for Christmas is a live improvisational jazz performance with Simon Weller (saxophone) and Larry Schneider (bass), one might surmise that Mr. Barden plays jazz piano. However, the remainder of the CD features contemporary "pop" piano arrangements, but played with the percussive weight, the tempo, and the energy of a barrelhouse bluesman. The result is a catchy, can't-quite-put-your-finger-on-it style which sounds more individualized than eclectic. (In other words, I don't know what Michael Barden's musical influences are, but his style is uniquely appealing.) 

At any rate, his energetic arrangements won't be mistakenly called "new age". However, they share the positivism of many new age recordings, and the CD, taken as a whole, plays out as thoughtful but optimistic. The first eleven selections are sacred carols, with Mr. Barden's only tip o' the hat to contemporary secularism that final jazz number. But he is able to make his production work, primarily because the carols hang together so well (almost as it were a really, really long medley of popular carols). 

If you enjoy listening to contemporary piano stylists, you will enjoy Michael Barden's Glory to the Newborn King.
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"Glory to the Newborn King" is a  collection of eleven solo piano arrangements and one jazz ensemble improvisation of various Christmas carols. Michael Barden's influences are varied, and range from classical to rock to jazz and new age. The first eleven tracks were originally released on cassette in 1994. In 2002, they were edited and re-recorded, and the songs were put into a different order. The last track came from a live performance of a jazz trio in 12/01. Barden has a big, full sound, but this album isn't about showmanship. It is the sound of an accomplished musician who is passionate about his material. The arrangements are quite original and different, so this is a very nice album if you want to hear a new (but not overly radical) take on some old favorites. My favorite track is a jazzy "We Three Kings," a  song that works well in many different musical settings and styles. This one seems mostly improvised, letting the melody slip in and out. "Silent Night" has some unusual harmonies and lots of open space to suggest just how still that night was. Both gentle and reverent, this is a very effective arrangement of the world's most-recorded song. "Joy to the World" is big and celebratory, with lots of interesting chord progressions and a strong, almost march-like rhythm. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is upbeat and rhythmic, and starts the collection on a joyful note. The ensemble piece is "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with piano, bass, and  sax. Other titles include "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Away In a Manger," and "O Come O Come, Emmanuel." All are very well-done and enjoyable. "Glory to the Newborn King" is available from www.cdbaby.com.

- Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications
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