'Tis the season for shameless self-promotion (& a free download)

Around this time last year, I inundated Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and my own website with annoyingly persistent updates about my holiday recording project. Well, according to T.V. commercials, shopping center decorations, and (most importantly) the beautiful red Starbucks cups, the holiday season has once again descended upon us. Therefore, I'm taking this as my cue to begin the shameless self-promotion of my (somewhat) new holiday CD, The Yuletide Marimba.

(By the way, you will be rewarded if you continue reading to the end. I supposed scrolling down now would work too, but where's the fun in that?)

The funny thing about a holiday recording project is that all of the arranging, recording, and CD mastering occur during holidays for which the music was not intended, such as Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, & even Thanksgiving (though radio stations may beg to differ). Me? I would listen to Christmas music year-round if it weren't for all the dirty looks (you bunch of Scrooges!). If my iPod is on shuffle and a Christmas tune sneaks in there, I will not skip past it, regardless of the season, so scowl away.  Anyway...

If you are a new friend/follower/fan, you can read the four blog entries from last year detailing the ins & outs of the Yuletide recording project (including the reasons I hate recording). Here's the track list including brief descriptions of each tune:

1. A Winter Prelude (a.k.a. the chorus to Jingle Bells played slowly by solo marimba)
2. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen (would love some comments about comma placement)
3. Silent Night (with some slightly altered harmonies... don't get mad)
4. Carol of the Bells (with orchestra bells... imagine that!)
5. O Holy Night (new rhythmic setting)
6. Deck the Halls (with dumbek. yeah, i said it.)
7. What Child Is This? (which was recently reviewed as overly-dissonant. you be the judge.)
8. In the Bleak Midwinter (does anyone know this tune?)
9. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (or this one?!)
10. Silent Night (again, but in a setting for marimba quartet)
11. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen (ditto)
12. Deck the Halls (ditto sans dumbek)
13. A Winter Postlude (lovingly referred to as "A Christmas Requiem" by the other members of the quartet)

My Christmas Gift to You...
Free download of God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
* Right-click or Control-Click (for Mac) and choose Save File As or Save Link As)

Your Christmas Gift to Me (or where to buy my album)...
Electronic Download: iTunes

Physical CD: C. Alan Publications
or if you are in close proximity to me, I'll hook you up

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Comments

[Jeff Sass]

I have attempted to play through a few of these arrangements. I really like God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen and Silent Night so far. These are a bit of a stretch for me but that is a good thing! I have added the CD to my Christmas percussion wish list for this year! Thanks for the blog post!