Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land

Desert Wind | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 27, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Desert Wind Music
• ASIN: B00004KD7B
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,627 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Randy Harward, The Event Newsweekly Magazine, Review, December 23, 1999

Desert Wind is an extracurricular activity of Alan Scott Bachman, Utah's Assistant Attorney General. You wouldn't know it from the picture in the CD, he looks just like any other guy you'd find in a drum circle - except here plays nine instruments (Boston Steinway Grand Piano, mandolins, mandola, mandocello, acoustic guitars, alto recorder, harpsichord, keyboards, sleigh bells, and oriental bells - gasp!)

Not that Desert Wind is a one-man project. Eight other musicians playing 16 more instruments mostly percussion)perform ten different Middle East rhythms (Ready for another list? Beladi, Ayoub, Masmoudi, Bolero, Khaleegy, Maqsoum, Saidi, Mid-East and Persian 6/8, Rock-Beladi.) on Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land. The exotic rhythms infuse the standards with new energy, making this one of the more interesting holiday releases. For more info, visit deswind @aol.com or write to: Desert Wind, P.O.Box 3722, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110.

Product Description

This is the FIRST Christmas CD we know about featuring passionate and exotic rhythms from the Middle East. ~Perfect for those who wonder what music Jesus may have heard in Israel! This full length CD includes familiar and new original Christmas songs set to the Middle Eastern rhythms including beladi, ayoub, masmoudi, khaleegy, maqsoum, saidi, bolero, Mid East and Persian 6/8 and rock beladi! Gorgeous flute work, awesome hand drumming, tasteful piano riffs, and the occasional / powerful vocals from Amy Faust combine to create Desert Wind's musical prayer for the new millennium. Oh, did we say, this music is GREAT for dancing ~ anytime of the year! Instrumentation on this album includes: Boston Steinway grand piano, flute, wooden flute, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar, harpsichord, keyboards, sleigh bells, tablas, riq, dumbek, tar, djembe, Persian zarb, trap drums, and vocals.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Christmas CD from Desert Wind, June 20, 2000

By 

Janae Friend (Park City, Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land (Audio CD)

I couldn't believe it! "Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land" is the most original and uplifting holiday CD I have ever heard. ~And this is June! I was looking for some new dance music, and my friend Justin encouraged me to listen to this. He mentioned that there were several songs that could be danced to year round. What a surprise!

In addition to the several familiar Christmas songs like "Joy to the World," and "The Little Drummer Boy," there was a fascinating instrumental version of a 16th century song called "Gaudete." Where did that come from? Then there were the original and mezmerizing songs by Alan Scott Bachman called "Christmas Peace" and "Dance of the Angels."

I'm guessing that angels dance year round! ~ and the flutist must have been in heaven. I have NEVER heard such consistently interesting and beautiful flute work. The flute solos develop into a whirlwind of joyful expression as they emerge from traditional phrasing to exotic, Middle Eastern configurations. It is easy to envision the dance that goes with her music.

I don't know where this album came from, but now that I found it, I am compelled to let the world know about this music.

Alan must be flying on the piano when he plays these songs, and it would be great to see him live!

Amy sang on just a few of the songs, but it was as though she was finally able to let go. I don't know Amy, but I can just imagine that she has sung Christmas songs her whole life ~ and NOW she had the opportunity to let loose, Desert Wind style. I would love to have been a fly on the wall when she recorded the most "amazing" version of AMAZING GRACE ever! ~You just have to hear this one. And don't wait for December.

With all of the passionate and exciting hand drumming which provided the foundation for this refreshing CD, and fifteen songs to choose from, I promise, I will be dancing in December!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Proud of my Christmas gift!, October 16, 2001

By 

Susan Rose "suzenrose" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land (Audio CD)

This music is enchanting and mesmorizing, pulsating and uplifting. It is the best Christmas music I ever heard, and only hope there is a sequel someday.

Last year I got a copy for myself and gave four as Christmas gifts. I was really proud of my gifts due to the incredible
reaction I had from the people who listened to this music
and got back to me with rave comments.

One person was my team leader (who is really into Christmas, waiting for it most of the year), told me about how she loved it and played it for all her guests. My fiance liked it so much that he took it to work and played it in his office. My head doctor,(I work in a hosptial) who is from India and Hindu said her husband just loved the beat and rhythm and played it over and over. My other friend thought it was the best she had heard too.

If you want rave thank you's for your Christmas gift from friends and co-workers, this is it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhythms are clear and perfect for the season, December 31, 2006

By 

Nacheska Gentry Combs "Dance Director" (DFW, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land (Audio CD)

Designing a Holiday dance workshop to tie in with the Christmas season...this CD was a perfect addition to songs I had picked from other artists. The Rhythms were kicky and energetic to give the dancers I taught the feel of the season along with a nice rhythm to dance to. I definitely recommend this music for a high energy performance piece too.