Jim Brickman - Peace
Windham Hill - BMG

"Peace" is a perfect name for this one, besides being a good Christmas album; all the music has that "Brickmanized" sense of quietness. Brickman says the whole project was a labor of love, "You know I love writing music but what I love better is playing holiday music. The hymns and the music of Christmas are some of my real favorites to play." The pianist reworks "Oh, Come Emmanuel" and calls it "Rejoice," "I chose sort of a choir approach and it's a combination of some original music along with the song" - It's very touching in that Enya angelic way. This being Brickman's second Holiday album he had a few rules on choosing the songs, "I picked tunes that were primarily the hymns and classic carols so right off the bat I kind of scratched off a lot of the pop songs like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song." Brickman says he simply wanted tunes "That really felt the most comfortable on my hands to play." Hear; hear I always say if the player is comfortable and has the chops then the audience will be comfortable. Like all Brickman albums this one has a few choice vocal songs most notably "Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama. Brickman says even though he had his own rules for the album the "Blind Boys," who have been together since 1948 also had certain criteria, "They won't sing about anything that has anything to do with kissing or anything to do with love so we had to pick specific songs that were appropriate." Brickman's plan was to take us back to that old fashioned cozy Christmas feel and he does it with "Let It Snow." The album also features Christy Starling from NBC's Today talent show on "Sending You a Little Christmas." The tune about being without your sweetie on the holidays was inspiring for the pianist to write, "I thought of how it would make an impact emotionally if you took a book and took all the stuff that you know that person loved about the holidays and basically sent them Christmas." Colin Raye does lead vocal on the title song which is already a hit on A.C. radio but the treasures on this album lie in the original Brickman solo piano tunes. "Early Snowfall" reminds us why Brickman has easily carved a firm place for himself in new instrumental music. "Blessings" is another melt your heart, quiet mood Brickman tune that will get your finger on the repeat button. A great feel good album for the holiday that built the formula. - by John Beaudin

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