Album Notes

Rick Friend first became a renegade musician in 1967 when he ran away from home to play music. Anywhere. He went from place to place. From an Off-Off Broadway musical, to wandering across the USA, visiting farm families and playing their pianos for fun and company (and a home cooked meal.)

It took him about 15 years to decide to actually make a living at music. Which took him to a private club in Toronto, Canada. Which felt like prison, since he was instructed not to play with too much energy, as it might distract the customers. His need for creative expression was stifled to the point where he sneaked into the club one night and recorded this Christmas CD. It is full of imagination and feeling.

The music, from which Rick derives his improvisations, needs no describing.

The titles are:

1. Joy To The World
2. Deck the Halls
3. Drummer Boy
4. Good King Wenceslas
5. The 12 Days of Christmas
6. The First Noel
7. Silver Bells
J. Livingston, copyright 1950
Arr. Ray Evans, Paramount Music Corp
8. Jingle Bells
James Pierpont
Shawnee Press
9. We 3 Kings
10. Let It Snow
Lyrics - Sammy Kahn
Music - Jule Styne, copyright 1945
CAHN MUSIC COMPANY
11. Silent Night
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Lyrics - Ralph Blain
Music - Hugh Martin, Copyright 1934
Shawnee Press

All tunes arranged & performed by RICK FRIEND.