Christmas: Winter Nights

Al Di Meola

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 28, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00000K1B2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,395 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jazz guitarist Al DiMeola gives new meaning to the phrase world music by working with Ukrainian bandura player Roman Hrynkiv. Here DiMeola explores a special collection of instrumental seasonal works, underscoring them with layered percussion. A number of captivating originals and intricately arranged standards surface here, including "Carol of the Bells, "Ave Maria," and "The First Noel." DiMeola certainly titled the album right: these seasonal songs readily capture the penetrating chill and peacefulness of a star-laden winter sky. Recommended. --Martin Keller

From Jazziz

Al Di Meola lends some holiday cheer to his latest album, Winter Nights. On the disc, Di Meola performs classic holiday songs such as "The First Noël," "What Child Is This?" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." But he doesn't stop there. Di Meola also has composed some of his own holiday tunes, such as "First Snow Lullaby" and "Zima." On the recording, Di Meola plays acoustic guitars, harp, keyboards, and percussion and is joined by Roman Hrynkiv on bandura and Hernan Romero on acoustic guitar and percussion.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS WITH AL., September 29, 1999

By	Örn Leifsson (Reykjavik Iceland.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should not be overlooked, January 6, 2001

By A Customer

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars + 1/2 stars...A Christmas Album to Enjoy Year 'Round, December 29, 2006

By	Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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