John Cassel celebrates Christmas
at Trapp Family Lodge – again
www.timesargus.com
 |
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent
The recent snows made us all aware that winter is close at hand and Christmas is now just days away. This one holiday has inspired more music and a truckload of albums that no other holiday can compete with. While it is essentially a religious day, Christmas is also the iconic inspiration behind winter celebrations.
John Cassel, whose new CD "Moon Dreams" was reviewed on these pages recently, has just released his second album of Christmas music from the Trapp Family Lodge, and, like his previous Christmas album of 2006, this is a fine recording.
Cassel, a regular performer at the lodge, keeps the music on a traditional course. The 11 tracks include both traditional carols such as "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Tannenbaum" along with popular songs of the season. In the pop vein he has chosen "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and "The Christmas Song," among others.
Cassel contributes one song, the hopeful "Let There Be Peace for Christmas." This track ends the album and includes vocals by Cassel and the Fairfield Elementary School Singers. This is a fine coda to the album and a potentially new song to add to the roster of popular Christmas tunes.
"Christmas Music from the Trapp Family Lodge, Volume 2" is a very enjoyable album for several reasons. First, Cassel is an excellent musician. On the traditional numbers such as the opening "Silent Night," his playing is respectful without being plodding. On the popular tunes, like "Winter Wonderland," he stretches out adding his own jazz interpretations to these familiar, and often overworked, songs.
Secondly, this is, as with "Moon Dreams," a lovingly recorded album. Cassel's piano is deep of sound and rich of tone. Credit his recording engineer for understanding how to record this instrument.
Finally, this CD — which also includes cameo appearances by Johannes von Trapp on recorder, Bonnie Klimowski on cello, George Voland on trombone, Rich Steel on flugelhorn, Will Patton on bass and Skeeter Camera on drums — is essentially a quiet and introspective recording. Blaring and glaring Christmas music is the bane of the holidays as it pours out of speakers in virtually every store while also filling the radio airwaves 2-4/7 for nearly a month. This CD, however, is thoughtful, respectful and essentially low-key. Put it on, decorate the tree, wrap the gifts and enjoy the season without getting your nerves in a jangle.