David Young is a classically trained musician, a professional rocker (guitarist, vocalist, songwriter), who finally settled on playing the recorder - you know, that instrument we all were taught in elementary school, the thing that looks and sounds something like a flute. Oh, wait, did I say "the" recorder? Make that TWO recorders. Mr. Young plays two different recorders (a large and a small) at once, in harmony. No, I don't mean that he records two different tracks on the CD. He puts the mouthpieces of both recorders in his mouth at the same time and walks around local fairs and plays them, live, at once. That's where I first heard - and saw - him, and that's where I got my two Christmas CDs. You can now buy his CDs the more boring way - online - but I would suggest you at least check out the bio on his website (www.davidcelestialwinds.com) before doing so!

Merry Christmas is David Young's second Christmas album. It is rather unique, as the recorders are the featured instruments for the entire album. You will also hear harp, bells, pan pipes, other renaissance sounds, but there is also orchestral and piano support for this album. The liner notes are actually a "letter" from the artist explaining the interesting circumstances of the recording of this album. The location of the recording is interesting, also. ("Heaven.") I must say the quality of the recording is superb - very clear and crisp, like the snowy scene on the cover art.

The songs are mostly traditional, even classical in a few instances:
Ode To Joy
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
The First Noel/Minuet in G/We Wish You A Merry Christmas
The Christmas Minstrel (WRITTEN BY DAVID YOUNG)
Happy Christmas (John Lennon)
Away in a Manger
O Christmas Tree
What Child Is This
Pachebel's Canon
Silver Bells
White Christmas
47 minutes long

A note about the medley with The First Noel - this is most unusual, and The First Noel is played almost in a march-like timing or phrasing that I found interesting. You would not sing it to this timing, but it was interesting. This is carried over into the original work that follows, The Christmas Minstrel. What an appropriate title for a song written by this artist who travelled all the fairs and shows to sell his CDs? I had to go back and play The First Noel medley over to make sure they were different songs. They ARE different, but the theme of The Christmas Minstrel winds through his First Noel medley also, and it is obvious that he "found" it while arranging this medley, and then developed it into a song of its own. Nice job.

This is a very relaxing, soothing kind of Christmas CD, and I alternate it with the other David Young CD long after Christmas as a relaxation treatment, often through February or even March. David's first Christmas CD is my favorite -see my related review. http://www.epinions.com/content_163947318916 It's even MORE relaxing than this one. But if you're more into classical music, you may prefer this one and its orchestral support to the simpler harp and recorder of the other CD.

This review has been brought to you by Tom's Lean-n-mean III challenge. For details: Lean-n-Mean III






Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep