Tracks
1.1 The First Noël 1.2 Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella 1.3 I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing in) 1.4 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 1.5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Take Five) 1.6 Carol of the Bells 1.7 Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) 1.8 Veni, Veni Immanuel (Come, Come Messiah) 1.9 Good King Wenceslas Comes A-Wassailing, Pt. 1 1.10 Good King Wenceslas Comes A-Wassailing, Pt. 2 1.11 O Little Town of Bethlehem 1.12 Joy to the World (Mary's Perspective) 1.13 O Tannenbaum (With Wind in the Branches) 1.14 Ding Dong Meriily on High (Le Branle de I'official) 1.15 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming / in the Bleak Midwinter 1.16 Still, Still, Still/It Camp Upon a Midnight Clear 1.17 Stille Nachte, Helige Nacht (Silent Night) 1.18 Toyland Fantasy (Bonus Track)
Notes
Tobin Mueller's "Midwinter Born" is a collection of jazz reinterpretations of traditional Christmas carols for solo piano. Mueller captures the quiet simplicity, expectant playfulness, and over-riding joy of the season. These songs will delight and surprise, move you and soothe you. "Midwinter Born" is destined to become one of your favorite annual Christmas albums. Mueller's playing style ranges from New Age to Neo-classical, modal jazz to honky tonk. The wonder of Christmas unfolds as he takes you on a yuletide journey through his musical imagination. Although Mueller approaches the music with a thoroughly modern mindset, the ancient quality of these melodies is never lost, as if each new twist adds one more layer of respect for the historical roots of each phrase. As Mueller puts it, "Being born in winter, as was I, provides an instinctual desire for finding and cherishing warmth..." Warmth and wonder abound in this collection of unique interpretations. Each song is a gift. The collection begins simply. A right hand ostinato evokes the crystalline cold and shining beauty of midwinter evenings. When the graceful melody of "The First Noël" is stated in the left hand, without ornament, the spirit of Christmas is unleashed. It sets the framework for the album. Even as the arrangements become far more complex, the idea of simple joy is never lost. Influence as wide ranging as Bill Evans and Dave Brubeck, Leon Russell and Rick Wakeman can be heard. "Few songs are more loved than the carols of Christmas" Mueller writes. "Most of us have memorized dozens, yet, for the most part, we have no idea who wrote them. Many were small town church organists or anonymous composers whose tunes predate the addition of lyrics that made them into Christmastime carols. Almost none of these composers and poets lived to know how popular their work would become." Tobin has dedicate this album to them. And to his mother, who passed along her love of this music and time of year, and, as Mueller notes, "never lost her willingness to toil in anonymity as a singer and arranger." To this end, Mueller has provided extensive notes about the history of each song on his website, tobinmueller.com. Please check it out. If you enjoy this Christmas collection, look into Mueller's earlier solo piano recordings, "13 Masks" and "Morning Whispers." You will not be disappointed!
