After all of my years of working on Christmas music with my piano students for 2-3 months each year, it takes a very special solo piano Christmas album to get my attention, and Lisa Downing’s "Christmas For Two" is just such an album. Downing’s impeccable technique and her unique interpretations of these Christmas standards make for a warm, cozy listening experience. There are usually at least a few carols in these Christmas collections that just don’t feel right, but this one has no fillers or near-misses - it’s excellent from the first note to the last. There are twelve tracks on "Christmas For Two," but almost all of them are medleys, so the actual carol count is closer to twenty-five. How’s that for a holiday bargain?
"Christmas For Two" begins with a wonderful medley of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells” - two of my favorites! I love the dark passion of both of these songs, and Downing gives them a fascinating combination of jazz, classical, and pop treatments that really work. Next up is a gorgeous arrangement of “O Holy Night” paired with “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” Flowing and peaceful yet dramatic in all the right places, this is another beauty. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Do You Hear What I Hear” is an unexpected combination, but it works incredibly well. Downing keeps “Emmanuel” dark and emotional as is the tradition, but it feels like a much more modern song. Conversely, “Do You Hear” is much more somber than you usually hear it, making it sound older and more classical. Amazing! The biggest surprise on the album is the “Canon in D Christmas Medley.” Rather than mixing in religious carols, Downing blends in “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” “Deck the Halls,” and “Jingle Bells”! You have to hear this one to believe it! “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “Silent Night” are the only songs that stand alone, and they are both very elegant arrangements. “What Child Is This?” and “We Three Kings” are graceful and delicate, but deeply emotional. The concluding track is “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “The Holly and the Ivy,” another duo I wouldn’t have thought to put together, but it works seamlessly. If you only buy one new Christmas album this year, be sure to check this one out! It’s my favorite so far this year.
Christmas For Two is available from www.lisadowning.com, Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes. Very highly recommended!
Kathy Parsons/Reviewer/MainlyPiano.com
Pianist Lisa Downing is new to me, but her Christmas/holiday release, Christmas for Two (a solo piano CD) sounds comfortably familiar, since it features one well-known holiday classic after another. However, the artist injects enough new wrinkles through her interpretations and arrangements that this is no mere shopping mall background, as evidenced during the first track, a medley of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells." I caught snippets of jazz here and there as well as other interesting twists and turns in time signatures and moods (from gentle passages to moments of energy and dark passion)...
Most tracks feature two carols offered as a medley. A welcome deviation from most instrumental offerings in this genre is the inclusion of the secular "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"...
Christmas for Two is a pleasant album for when you want to hear the holiday season’s "greatest hits" done with a little style and pizzazz.
Bill Binkleman/Reviewer/Zone Music Reporter
Lisa Downing displays an amazing amount of musical prowess in her latest album "Christmas for Two". She must have gotten the gift of music from Saint Nick himself because her inspiring music sounds as if an Angel created it. Although the songs are all instrumental, they evoke emotions of joy and contentment, so much that lyrics are not even necessary. Any fans of Liz Story and George Winston, or lovers of ambient music and solo piano will instantly fall in love with Lisa’s music. This upcoming Christmas would be incomplete without Lisa’s soothing and nostalgic music playing in the background.
Track 1: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ Carol of the Bells” is a powerful and emotive 2-in-1 song that takes you so deep into the music. It feels as if you were sitting next to Lisa while she plays it. It is a truly moving track with a butter-smooth transition and flawless piano that leaves you wishing the song was five minutes longer.
Track 3: “O Come, O Come Emmannuel” is a very haunting, yet mysterious song that definitely captivates the listener. Lisa again displays her angelic piano talent in this song as it smoothly tells a story of its own. The listener may find themselves getting lost in the song and replaying it over, and over again.
Track 12: “We Wish You A Merry Christmas/ The Holly and the Ivy” is an incredibly beautiful two part song that makes you wish Christmas was already here! Lisa’s transitions are so exceptional in this track that you only realize the first song is over minutes into the second one. This is definition of an uplifting song!
Jesse Pimenta/Reviewer/Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion
In true artistic fashion, Lisa Downing uses the piano as her palette to create what is a masterpiece collection of holiday classics. Nurturing both her love and gift for music since a child, Downing’s solid musicianship has evolved into what is now a successful resume of solid albums, and a host of remarkable performances. To add to her list of credits, Lisa composed the "Christmas for Two" album, a pianists remake of Christmas favorites. Between the song selection, overall arrangement and expressive instrumentation, this 12-plus track lp is definitely the result of Downing’s classical training. Combining what is an undoubted mastery of the keys and a fine-tuned ear, this album is one of her finest pieces.
Track 1. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ Carol of the Bells”
The fusion of these two songs made for a perfect pair. Beautiful chords and tweaks to the classic melodies produced an elegant introduction to the rest of the album.
Track 8. “ Silent Night”
The overall arrangement and sonic quality of this particular rendition can only be described as angelic. Downing’s ability to transform the song into a new creation without sacrificing the classic undertone is what separates this version of “Silent Night” from any other. It flows. The transitions are smooth, and even to the untrained ear, Lisa Downing’s performance enhances keystroke after keystroke.
Track 10. “What Child is This/ We Three Kings”
This is a well-thought out, perfectly executed song arrangement, even considering the hybrid of two polar-opposite songs. Even nearing the conclusion of the album, it is clear that Downing made a conscious effort to not only draw the listener in but to captivate them. Sonically speaking, this is definitely an ear and soul pleaser…just in time for the Christmas season or the off-season.
Camille Davis/Reviewer/Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion
