Seven seasonal instrumentals heard early this morning:
KORJ (Butte Falls, OR)
- Greensleeves-Stevan Pasero (This impressively played guitar rendition of "What Child Is This?" is one of the longer versions I've heard. Pasero's prelude and embellishments respect and enhance the melody.)
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Georgia Kelly featuring Marcia Miget (A well-balanced, angelic version for harp and flute.)
WCRB Ultimate Holiday Classical Mix (Boston, MA)
- Percy Grainger: The Sussex Mummers' Carol (Jeffrey Biegel, piano) (This is such a warm reading of a carol that I'd overlooked. To me, this sounds like a Brahms interpretation of a Beethoven sonata. I listened to it three times, as a result, and also sought out equally inviting vocal renditions. I look forward to hearing more of this WCRB stream before Christmas.)
WDCB (Chicago, IL)
- We Three Kings-Dave Stryker (Stefon Harris's vibraphone playing gives this guitar-anchored interpretation mystery and depth.)
- Silent Night-Stanley Jordan (Reverential, somewhat bluesy piano. Jordan lets the notes resonate, making this carol breathe effectively. His approach reminds me of how Hank Jones played piano on gospel tunes with bassist Charlie Haden.)
WQXR Holiday Channel (Newark, NJ)
- Angels We Have Heard On High (Ayako Shinozaki, harp) (If ever a carol demanded such delicacy from a harp...)
- Silent Night (Ensemble Galilei) (A beautiful, tender viola-and-harp rendition.)
