Marimba intro, then check out Nathan Daughtrey's holiday CD

Let me tell you about my new favorite CD. It's my friend Nathan Daughtrey's, "The Yuletide Marimba." Before I met Nathan, I'm not altogether certain I knew what a marimba was! Only a vague idea. It occurs to me that you also might not know what a marimba is! So first I invite you to enjoy Nathan's performance of "Una Limosnita por Amor de Dios," by Agustín Barrios Mangoré. Originally for solo guitar, Nathan adapted it for the marimba:

Now that you have a sense of what the marimba sounds like, think of how perfect that instrument would sound playing your favorite holiday music. In "The Yuletide Marimba," Nathan has included traditional Christmas carols such as "O Holy Night," and "What Child is This." But we're also treated to less traditional pieces such as "In the Bleak Midwinter," and "Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella."

The thing that strikes me about this CD - aside from the sometimes haunting, ethereal sound of the marimba, that is - is that it's subtle. By the time we actually get to Christmas, sometimes I am up to here with Christmas carols. Which is not what I want at all. I love the music of this time of year. I want to enjoy it all the way through December 25! These carols have been with me throughout my entire life and some of my happiest memories include these songs as the soundtrack behind them. But over the years I've found that there's such a thing as too much. Too much fanfare behind the carols. Too many instruments, too many voices, too many repetitions. And so once we arrive at December 25, often the last thing I want to hear is another Christmas carol.

Not this year. This year I'm feeling really good about my ability to enjoy the season in the way I prefer. And this CD is gonna' help me get there. Its understated beauty brings the music I love without overwhelming me. It's good to listen to, with great focus. And it's also great to play in the background, coaxing a soft, peaceful mood. It's simply beautiful!

If you, too, have been looking for a new CD to add to your holiday collection, and haven't been able to quite put your finger on what you needed, give this one a try. And you have many options for acquiring it! If you're one of those people who wants to hold the CD in your hands, pop it into your CD player, display the case on top of your stereo so your friends know what's playing, then you can get it from C. Alan Publications for only $9.95.  And? If you prefer to get your music digitally, you can now buy it from iTunes!

Don't forget to check out Nathan's website, and learn more about his other musical offerings!

Comments

[Dena]

I've played my CD non-stop since I got it. A great way to chill with some holiday music.