Customer Reviews

Christmas: Winter Nights

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3 star:		(1)
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What!! A Christmas album by DiMeola!!

I must admit I was a bit sceptical at first because so many Jazz/Fusion artist have made overly sweet and sentimental Christmas albums, but of course I shouldn't have doupted the master, this album is really good.

Al playes acoustic guitars on the album along with percussion, keyboards and a multi string harp Herman Romero plays additional guitar and percussion and then there is a player from Ukraine, Roman Hrynkiv who playes an ukrainian instrument called Bandura which is a plucked string instrument with a bright sound which fits this music wery well.

The music is a mix of well known Christmas songs and new compositions by DiMeola, there is of course a Christmas feel to the album but it's all in great taste and underneath the calm surface Al is burning.

I'm going to give the c.d a rest for now but come December this c.d. is going to be played a lot. This Christmas is definitely going to be fun, musicaly speaking at least.

I bought this CD after hearing a Christmas track played over the radio. It is absolutely fabulous. Winter nights includes some seasonal tracks as well as eclectic choices - the arrangements are wonderful. Check out his version of the beautiful Peter Gabriel ballad "Mercy Street ". Done as an instrumental in Dimeolas style it fits perfectly with the winter theme of this CD. Don't just save it for the holidays - select the great non seasonal tracks for any gathering.

I first encountered Al Di Meola as the lightning-fingered guitarist for the fusion group Return to Forever and later on solo albums like ELEGANT GYPSY and SPLENDIDO HOTEL. But on WINTER NIGHTS, he is in a more subdued mood. Many of the tracks feature Ukrainian musician Roman Hrynkiv on bandura, a folk instrument similar to a lute. The two perform together to marvelous effect like on the Di Meola original "Zima" and the more traditional "The First Noel." In addition, Hrynkiv plays solo on several shorter pieces ("Winterlude No. 2, 3 and 4"). With only a scattering of recognizable Christmas songs, you can enjoy this album year 'round. [Running Time - 51:25] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you like both Al Di Meola and Christmas music, you will have no trouble enjoying Winter Nights. But, if you enjoy the music of Al Di Meola but don't particularly care for Christmas music, you may find yourself wavering as I did for years before finally caving in and buying this. It took the assurance of a friend whose musical judgement I trust to get me to finally spring for this album. And I am glad I did. I find Winter Nights to be mostly mellow and very enjoyable, far from the mawkish display I expected.
The opener Zima is one heck of a great song done in the inimitable style that characterizes Di Meola's early work. The featured trio then gets down to the business of painting a musical picture of peace and tranquility befitting the album's theme. In addition to the opener, I think the strongest cuts are: Carol of the Bells, the traditional Greensleeves, Mercy Street, and the brief but pleasing Winterlude No. 2. As for the rest, they are all effective in leaving the listener with that peaceful, easy feeling good Christmas music should impart.
So if you are hesitant to buy Winter Nights like I was, shed your doubts and give this album a place in your collection. You'll be glad you did! The CD comes with a thin insert that tells the story of this CD and gives the fan a little useful album info.

What a challenge ? Conceptualize the beauty and spirit of cold winter nights. Well to my ear, these instrumental interpretations distill that chill in the air and render a meaning from the twinkling stars.Eight songs are original, five imaginary revisions of seasonal standards, and two inclusions of popular pop tunes stripped of vocals yet bellowing like the changing wind. The talented trio of artists creative echoing of a fresh blanket of snow and the darkness of night upon melody, their quite complexity between percussion and other playables,and their use of todays mixing techno all combine to answer. .... Post Script~ Great background seasonal drumel and even better headphone dozing.buyit...save it...