Christmas: Winter Nights

1. Zima

2. Carol of the Bells

3. Winterlude Duet No. 1

4. Greensleeves

5. Mercy Street

6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

7. Winterlude No. 2

8. Midwinter Nights

9. Scarborough Fair

10. Winterlude No. 3

11. First Noel

12. Inverno

13. First Snow

14. Winterlude No. 4

15. Ave Maria

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.

Christmas: Winter Nights,Al Dimeola,Telarc,Christmas,Christmas / Chanukkah,Christmas Music,Fusion,Guitar Virtuoso,Holiday,Jazz-Rock,Pop,World Fusion

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Tracks:

Zima
Carol of the Bells
Winterlude Duet No. 1
Greensleeves
Mercy Street
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Winterlude No. 2
Midwinter Nights
Scarborough Fair
Winterlude No. 3
First Noel
Inverno
First Snow
Winterlude No. 4
Ave Maria

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

Customer Reviews:

+ 1/2 stars...A Christmas Album to Enjoy Year 'Round.......2006-12-30

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

com"YULE"ation Cleric: Zeal for Zema`s Zenith.......2001-07-09

What a challenge ? Conceptualize the beauty and spirit of cold winter nights. Well to my ear, these instrumental interpretations distill that chill in the air and render a meaning from the twinkling stars.Eight songs are original, five imaginary revisions of seasonal standards, and two inclusions of popular pop tunes stripped of vocals yet bellowing like the changing wind. The talented trio of artists creative echoing of a fresh blanket of snow and the darkness of night upon melody, their quite complexity between percussion and other playables,and their use of todays mixing techno all combine to answer. .... Post Script~ Great background seasonal drumel and even better headphone dozing.buyit...save it...

Should not be overlooked.......2001-01-06

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.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS WITH AL........1999-09-29

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.

Tracks:

Spring: 'Christovskaya' (Dominical)
Spring: 'Kachulnaya' (Lullaby)
'Jagoryevskaya' (Song For St. George's Day)
Summer: 'Platsch S Kukoschkoy' (Lament With Cuckoo)
'Dukhovskaya' (Song For Whitsuntide)
'Tolotnaya' (Fertilizing Song)
Autumn: 'Postovaya' (Song For Ember Days)
Autumn: 'Vosennaya' (Autumn Song)
'Svadebskaya' (Nuptial Song)
Winter: 'Sviatoshnaya' (Song For Christmastide)
Winter: 'Maslennaya' (Song For Shrovetide)
'Posledniaya' (Closing Song)
January - At The Fireside
February - Carnival
March - Song Of The Lark
April - Snowdrop
May - Starlight Nights
June - Barcarole
July - Song Of The Reaper
August - The Harvest
September - The Hunt
October - Autumn Song
November - Troika Ride
December - Christmas

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