DAVID'S VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

     David Ian is better known as Dave Ghazarian, former lead guitarist of Church of Rhythm, and current lead guitarist of Christian pop/rock group Superchick.  He was born in Canada to Armenian immigrant parents.  In an e-mail to me he wrote: "Ontario holds a special place in my heart as I was born and lived in Toronto for 10 years of my childhood and I am honored that my music is reaching you!"  In the liner notes of VINTAGE CHRISTMAS (2011, Prescott Records) he writes: "Thanks to God for the gift of a Savior and a reason to celebrate this season of hope.  Thanks for songs with meaning and for those that are just plain fun."  A press release states: "Ian sought to create a vintage sound, one that harks back to classic jazz and Christmas LP's of the 1950's."  The jazz trio used to do this is David Ian (piano, guitars, bells), Jon Estes (upright bass, cello), and Brian Fitch (drums).
     The album is comprised of songs with vocals and instrumentals.  Let's look at the former first.  'Have Yourself a merry little Christmas' showcases the sweet, soft voice of Acacia from the sister duo Tal & Acacia, and includes these lyrics of well wishes: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/Let your heart be light/From now on our troubles will be out of sight/Have yourself a merry little Christmas/Make the yuletide gay/From now on our troubles will be miles away."  'Let it Snow' was written in 1945 by Julie Styne and Sammy Cahn, and features the cool, relaxed vocals of Andre Miguel Mayo singing these romantic words: "When we finally kiss goodnight/How I'll hate goin' out in the storm/But if you really hold me tight/All the way home I'll be warm/The fire is slowly dyin'/And my dear we're still good-byin'/But as long as you love me so/Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."  'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' is performed quietly by Acacia and is a call to worship the Christ child: "Joyful all ye nations rise/Join the triumph of the skies/With angelic hosts proclaim/Christ is born in Bethlehem/Hark! The herald angels sing/Glory to the newborn King!"  'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open Fire) was written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells in 1946.  The version here is quite traditional.  Acacia sings it, painting a perfect picture of the holidays: "Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe/Help to make the season bright/Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow/Will find it hard to sleep tonight/They know that Santa's on his way/He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh."  'Christmas Time with You' is the final vocal track and there are two versions of it on the album.  It is an original composition by David Ian himself, and nicely complements the rest of the album.  The first version is performed by Andre Miguel Mayo and includes these dreamy lyrics: "Icy streets are white and slick you know/Wear your cozy boots, we'll float through the snow/And with our rosy cheeks we'll sing (3X)."  The second version is a duet between Mayo and his now wife, Acacia.  It includes this additional lyric: "Christmas time with you/Forget the weather/Let's get together dear/I wish you were here now/Whatever the reason/We long for this season."  A press release states the song was "inspired by Ian's long-distance relationship with the woman who became his wife in 2009."
     Instrumentally this album holds its own.  'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' written in 1938, is given a subdued, slowed down treatment.  It would be good for dining by candlelight.  'The Christmas Walz' by Paul Francis Webster and George Cates, has a playful spirit to it.  It makes me want to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  'Home for the Holidays' sounds like a musical interlude or intermission and is my least favourite.  Bing Crosby took 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' to the top ten of the record chart in 1943.  The version here is pretty and could be playing in a small boutique while you are doing your Christmas shopping and sipping on hot cider.  'Silent Night' is played in such a way that it will help you contemplate and meditate on the birth of Christ and what it means to you.
     Ian related to me: "I really enjoyed making this record and I am hoping this will be the first of several solo projects I do in the jazz genre."  VINTAGE CHRISTMAS should be picked up by fans of artists such as Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, and Judy Garland.  I'm rating this fine holiday album 80%.  For more info visit http://www.iantunes.com/.

TRICIA'S ROAD

     It's been ten years since Superchick put out their first album KARAOKE SUPERSTARS, so what better time than now for lead vocalist Tricia Brock to release her first solo effort, a worship project, THE ROAD (2011, Inpop Records)?  In an interview with CCM Magazine's June 2011 digital edition, she shares: "My prayer for listeners is that these songs can be songs of hope that resonate in deep places of your soul like they have mine.  That you can be honest about hurts, and losses and pain and that these very places can lead you closer to the altar of God-to the one place of true healing, true forgiveness and love that make sense of all the unanswered questions."  The last couple of years have not been easy for Tricia.  Her mother-in-law was fighting cancer, she almost lost her mom to a heart attack, and she had a miscarriage.
     'Breath of God', a pop song of total surrender, begins the album: "On my knees I bow before You/So here I am, I lay my treasures down/I lay them down/From my lips a song of glory/With my hands I reach for more of You/For more of You."  'Lean' is an adult contemporary song about trusting in Jesus: "So I will lean upon the cross/I will lean into Your love/Your Spirit's living in me/Alive in me/I will sing when there is no song/In the dark/Lord, Your light is strong."  'You are my Shepherd' is a beautiful piano ballad written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee, that is a modern take on the message of Psalm 23: "You are my Shepherd in the wilderness/Whom shall I fear?/You are the God who goes before me/My Rock and my Shield/In troubled times/You will provide/And I shall not want/You are, You are my God."  'You Hear' suits Tricia's voice very nicely, and rejoices in the open conversation we have with God: "From burdens weighty with regret/And sorrows we cannot forget/You turn our tears to holiness/When You hear, oh You hear."
     'Jesus, I am Resting' is a peaceful, guitar based song of praise: "How great Thy loving kindness/Vaster, broader than the sea/How marvelous Thy goodness/Lavished all on me/Yes I rest in Thee Beloved/Know what wealth of greace is Thine/Know Thy certainty of promise/And have made it mine."  'The Altar' is a reverent song of intimacy: "There's a place/A place of healing/There is no shame, within Your scars/This place is sacred/This place is secret/Here in the presence of a holy God (2X)...Be still and know that He is God (2X)."  'Always' is an anthem featuring strings, written by Jason Ingram and Kristian Stanfill.  It presents a realistic view of life and offers a proper response to the trials we face: "Trouble surrounds me/Chaos abounding/My soul will rest in You/I will not fear the war/I will not fear the storm/My Help is on the way (2X)."  The song's background vocalists include Melissa and Ben Greene.  'Impossible' is upbeat and points to the Source of our victory as Christians: "He has won where we have failed/He is hope where all hope is lost/He's the One whose hands were nailed/Forgiveness bought by blood and a cross/Glory to His name (2X)." 
     'Everything in Me' is one of my favourites and is a catchy pop song of dedication to God: "With everything that's in me/Until there's nothing left/I will sing for You/With everything that's in me/Until my body's broken/I'll live for You/Take every breath/Take every part/How could I give anything less than everything?/Than everything."  'Overwhelmed' is a quiet song written by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee, and featuring these beautiful words: "Your tenderness is moving/You refresh my soul/With words of pristine water/That bathe and make me whole/Your holiness is burning through my very soul/Your words consume like fire/I'm purified like gold."  'Broken for Love's Sake' gently closes the album and begins with this prayer: "You've come to seek and to save/Those who've lost their way/So seek me or I won't be found/You've come to keep and sustain/Those whom You have named/So keep me, O keep me now."
     THE ROAD was produced by Tricia's husband Nick Baumhardt, who also shares writing credits with her on some of the tracks.  It is a mostly mellow, contemporary worship project that finds her adoring the Lord for what He has done and for who He is.  It is neat to see a different side to this Superchick gal.  The photos of her are very compelling.  I'm rating THE ROAD 87%.  For more info visit http://www.triciabrockmusic.com/ or http://www.inpop.com/.