Vintage Christmas Trio (Prescott Records)
David Ian
Released in 2017
DownBeat Four-Stars Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ka98Oog974guZFzUU3IC2RpogYWrgE6Z8
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4VxwWAfkgf4uG6XzWwL6Sh?si=Lj4o8mReRu2Z4y–pYuP-g
About:
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TRIO is David Ian s long-awaited full-length follow up to his debut success Vintage Christmas. His purest release to date, this album features instrumental-only jazz trio interpretations of Christmas favorites using the most minimal elements–highlighting Ian s craft as pianist and arranger. David Ian s delightful performances transport you to an era that birthed the most sentimental songs of this season.
The opener, Deck the Halls welcomes in the Christmas spirit with a swinging trio. David Ian s signature sound shines throughout the album as he transforms the often stately Joy to the World into a jazz/blues injected festivity and then carries the listener into a dreamier state with the ever-loved classic White Christmas.
The lyrical bass solos of Jon Estes tastefully splash their way on numerous tracks supported by the clever drumwork of Josh Hunt, who together comprise a perfectly ornamental rhythm section.
We Three Kings takes on a new form with a reflective mood; an unexpected arrangement of a Christmas classic, more forgotten in recent years. In Silver Bells, Ian masterfully and fluidly switches back and forth from swing to straight time.
The close of the album is a solemn O Come, All Ye Faithful, stripped down to just piano and percussion. If you listen closely, your ears might catch the chirps of a winter bird complementing this moving musical performance.
Let this vintage soundtrack enrich your Christmases present and future.
Track Listing:
1. Deck the Halls (Dave Ghazarian) 04:19
2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Dave Ghazarian) 03:50
3. Joy to the World (Dave Ghazarian) 03:07
4. White Christmas (Irving Berlin) 03:22
5. Good King Wenceslas (Dave Ghazarian) 03:31
6. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Dave Ghazarian) 03:18
7. We Three Kings (Dave Ghazarian) 03:08
8. Up On the Housetop (Dave Ghazarian) 03:15
9. Silver Bells (Ray Evans / Jay Livingston) 03:28
10. O Come All Ye Faithful (Dave Ghazarian) 02:42
Personnel:
David Ian: piano
Jon Estes: bass
Josh Hunt: drums, percussion
Produced & Arranged by David Ian
Recorded and Mixed by Bill Deaton
Mastered by Sangwook “Sunny” Nam
Artwork: Jeremy Morgan
Review:
Pianist David Ian, a native Canadian with polite merriness to share, has delivered Vintage Christmas Trio, his third and best holiday release. Supported by the fine acoustic bassist Jon Estes and the agile drummer Josh Hunt, Ian explores the strengths of “Silver Bells,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “Up On The Housetop” and seven more tunes. Ian has an intelligent playing style, always avoiding the weak emotion that plagues less thoughtful musicians.
Frank-John Hadley (DownBeat)
