Music Review: Jim Brinkman: Grace

Jim Brinkman: Grace, 2005.

Jim Brinkman plays piano.  For the most part this is his piano version of several gospel songs, but on a couple of songs he has guest artists providing vocals.  For example Michael Bolton sing “Hear Me (Tear into Wine) in which he asks God to help turn his troubles into blessings.  Ginny Owens sings “Amazing Grace.”  Mario Frangoulis sings “Ave Maria.”  He sings with a group, Selah, for “Be Thou Near to Me.”  “How Great Thou Art” is a favorite, and with the piano the melody comes out clearly and you remember the words and this song is beautiful.  However the two songs I like the best are strictly piano.  The first is called “Joyful” and is a version of “Ode to Joy.”  I love this music.  The second he calls “Jesu” which is a version of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”  I think these two are a couple of my favorite songs of all time, and his version are very nice.  However in Jesu, he wonders with his fancy playing a couple of times, so I actually prefer Joyful.

Music Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas: Vince Guaraldi Trio

This is the original sound track recording of the CBS television special.  Vince Guaraldi arranged or wrote most of the music.  It is performed by piano, bass and drum.  The music throughout has a Jazz feel, and is all instrumental except for "Christmas Time is Here" and  "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" sung by the Peanuts children.  I really enjoy the music, and it has a very catchy rhythm.   "Linus and Lucy" is a classic.  This song sets your blood moving.  This is the music most associated with this presentation.  Even Miranda likes to play it.  the movement in the bass hand of the piano is just cool.  Another song that moves is "Skating".  I must admit, the middle of the music gets a bit lengthy; of course this is because just listening to the music, you don't have the animated action to watch.