No wonder the other reviewers, who are more expert in jazz than I, are raving about this album. I have a few jazz Christmas CD's, but this is the first which is so creatively arranged and performed that it requires one's full attention. Just as it would be discourteous to a story teller if a listener lent half an ear to the story and another on partying or private conversation with a companion, it would seem inappropriate to relegate these selections to background music for a cocktail party. The arrangements are so original (even on the standards), and the expression so complete that, even though one could classify the selections as mood music, I would consider them especially appropriate as concert material to showcase Gallagher's genious. However one feels about the recording, there's no doubting that it's a wonderful addition to any Christmas collection.
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Pianist Rick Gallagher approaches traditional Christmas fare (save for the original title cut) with a traditional piano trio. While not as outgoing as Skafish, Gallagher has refined chops to burn and shows them off on the upbeat opener “Silver Bells,” where he incorporates blues and country elements in his playing. “Snowriding” is a Vince Guaraldi-inspired romp via A Charlie Brown Christmas, full of block chords and Dave Brubeck rhythm changes. Think “Linus And Lucy” crossed with “Blue Rondo A La Turk.” “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” is played as a ballad with a “Little Drummer Boy” undercurrent. “The First Noel” has a slight Latin flair and “Carol Of The Bells” a McCoy Tyner a al John Coltrane tension. 

A welcome surprise is the elevation of Paul McCartney's “Wonderful Christmastime” into the seasonal canon where it has always belonged. The Frank Loesser “What Are You Doing New Year's Eve” provides the bona fide standards angle. “I Saw Three Ships” is beautifully off time and jointed. Snowriding is a premier, straight-ahead, holiday jazz recording. Where Skafish chooses to explore, Gallagher chooses to plow even furrows of sound and time.
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Pianist Rick Gallagher's brand-spanking-new Snowriding(Ridgetone Music 6244) arrived at literally the last second, and I'm sure glad it did. I didnt get to shout 'Stop the presses,' but playing this CD the required minimum of three times 'while still making my deadline' was a bit of a scramble.

Worth it, though. I covered Gallagher's first seasonal release, A Sleigh, a Song and a Baby Boy, in 2003, and rated it one of the year's keepers.

This one's even better.

With ample support from his sidemen - Paul Thompson (bass), Thomas Wendt (drums) and George Jones (percussion) - Gallagher delivers a set of truly tasty jazz: solid solos, well-rehearsed give-and-take between musicians, and inventive arrangements that never stray too far from the melody.

The song selection is good, as well; "Here We Come A-Wassailing" (cute delivery on that one) and "Caroling, Caroling" don't pop up that often on holiday jazz albums, and this disc also features the first jazz cover I've ever heard of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime."It's a clever presentation, highlighted by the just-enough use of background jingle bells.

The handling of "Joy to the World" is equally inventive; the carol emerges as a medium-tempo strut of the sort that would bring the congregation to its feet. "Carol of the Bells" and "Silver Bells" are lively finger-snappers, the latter featuring a lovely bass solo by Thompson.Gallagher includes an original composition, "Snowriding," which boasts Vince Guaraldi-style piano hooks and occasionally echoes that composer's "Skating." Gallagher's work is equally catchy; if this is any example, he should write more stuff.

The album concludes with Gallagher's haunting, solo piano version of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear": the perfect way to conclude a sublime collection of music.

--Davis Enterprise, Derrick Bang, Sacramento, CA, December 2006
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Most musicians only get one opportunity to make a Christmas album, but Gallagher has followed his excellent 2002 A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy with a terrific new piano trio (plus percussion) collection. As with the first, Gallagher's arrangements succeed by keeping the tune familiar without sacrificing the jazz. Traditional and contemporary tunes are joined by his original uptempo waltz title track. Also check out "Silver Bells," a Latin-tinged "First Noel," Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime," and a bluesy "Joy To The World."

--Jazz Week (Ed Trefzger), December 2006
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