STEVE HOLT: Christmas Light

Steve Holt

Christmas Light

© 2003 Steve Holt (634479110429)

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Gorgeous grand piano, majestic synths - acoustic and electronic instruments - heavenly music with fresh arrangements - this is what Christmas Light is about.

notes

"...powerful and dramatic."

"... breathes new life into of some of the world's most popular music of the Christmas season. "

"We Three Kings" is particularly magnificent as a concerto for piano and string orchestra..."

It started out as a small project - Christmas music from our studio for friends and family to enjoy. It became the largest project we ever did. Steve Holt and Inner Music worked nearly a full year on the production of Christmas Light, a landmark recording of some of the most renowned carols with new arrangements. Gorgeous grand piano, majestic synths - acoustic and electronic instruments - heavenly music with fresh arrangements - this is what Christmas Light is about.

Almost every track represents a different musical genre with different orchestration. Arrangements vary from large ensembles with full orchestral accompaniment to pop/country rock, jazz, and folk. More than anything, this music will speak to you; it comes straight from the heart.

Christmas is a sacred time. It is a celebration of the greatest aspects of mankind. It is a celebration of peace on Earth. It is a celebration of spiritual enlightenment, the highest state of consciousness. It is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the highest spiritual ideals: Love. Service. Remembrance. Come and celebrate with us, and enjoy the music of Christmas.

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  • author: Helen

    CHRISTMAS LIGHTS an absolute sensation. In league with all sensational music, it touches and soothes the savage beast that lurks in the human heart. Steve's CD improvises upon traditional Christmas music embodying the sound of ethereal flutes, enraptured piano, and his handiwork on the synthesizer attends the deep and penetrating sound of stringed instruments and percussions. The effect is very cleansing, nourishing, uplifting, and inspiring. I've only been playing mine in repeat mode.. It's simply beautiful stuff! A gift from the gifted!

  • A great addition to our family collection of Christmas Favorites !!
    author: Art Hansen

    Steve's music is very calming during the hectic hustle/bustle time of the Christmas Season. We especially enjoyed the almost haunting version of the Drummer Boy. But we truly enjoyed listening to all the selections. Nice quality Christmas music is often hard to find but we sure did find a goldmine here.. It is now a definite part of our home's holiday music. Thanks Steve, Art

  • So peaceful, so beautiful, such a gift
    author: Connie Davis

    It's a Christmas CD, and funny enough I just finished listening to it. It's worthy of listening to year around. I bought one for my best friend; I know she'll love it too. It put me in the spirit to bake cookies. Thank you, Steve! Thank you, God, for giving Steve the talent and means to create this work of art.

  • Steve Holt's innovations enhance the strengths of these holiday numbers, never o
    author: Carol Swanson, ChristmasReviews.com

    Christmas Light is an instrumental CD that provides something for everybody. Canadian Steve Holt has enjoyed much acclaim for his jazz artistry, and he demonstrates that talent here. The CD, however, goes well beyond traditional jazz concepts. The artist injects a broad range of musical genres, peppering the CD with moments of pop, country, rock, folk, new age and, of course, jazz. In addition to putting together the varied arrangements, Steve plays all of the instruments himself, including synthesizers, piano, and percussion. It's an appealing package. When I first picked up this CD, I must confess that I had some doubts. After all, the cover features an individual who appears to be in deep meditation, and I feared that the music might lack personality or even be sleep-inducing. As it turns out, I should not have worried. From the first cut to the last, Christmas Light brings life to standard holiday offerings through innovative arrangements, and it always keeps you guessing regarding what style will present itself next. For example, The Little Drummer Boy opens the CD with a relatively straightforward drumbeat and melody line, then transforms into jazzy synthesized improvisation. The tones of Coventry Carol are much more serious and staid; still, the music moves through creative cycles within those confines. Since I adore jazz piano, I found We Three Kings to be a special treat; its rich and warm jazz treatment had me tapping my toes. Some songs are certainly more low-key than others; O Come All Ye Faithful is a high-energy affair, whereas God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is darker and more subdued, although it still reflects fascinating twists and turns in the underlying melody line. Folk music stylings are abundantly apparent in What Child Is This, and the treatment is gorgeous. Christmas Light closes with a lovely, pristine and relatively unadorned version of Silent Night-a fitting close to a fine set. Because the CD embodies so many varied styles, it is difficult to pin down the approach at any given moment. This makes the Themes & Variations part of the title particularly appropriate. Steve Holt's innovations enhance the strengths of these holiday numbers, never obscuring the natural beauty of the selections. So kick back, relax, and enjoy the many faces of Christmas Light.

  • The music carves an amiable path through various styles.
    author: The Ottawa Citizen

    Nine traditional (Christmas) songs are given non-traditional interpretations by Holt, who is the sole performer on piano, synthesisers, and percussion. The music carves an amiable path through various styles.

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