Every holiday season a CD comes along that heads directly toward the unusual. Oh, you see the names of familiar carols, such as "The First Noel," or "O Holy Night" or "Silent Night," but that's where creativity comes in. This collection of instrumental holiday music from the Australian group, Rivertribe, has native Australian instruments meeting Celtic with a tinge of Middle Eastern, to boot. Mannheim Steamroller is somewhere in this vicinity. Rivertribe's didgeridoo, darabukka or kalimba instruments now take a giant leap of faith and visit the world.
There are twelve selections on this CD, ranging from the familiar "Silent Night" (is there ever a holiday CD without it?) to "Little Drummer Boy", and then the not-quite-as-well-known "Once In Royal David's City" and a Rivertribe concept, "Out of Egypt." The first song, "The First Noel" gives the flavor of the CD with a rhythmic interpretation of this classic carol. On the other hand, "O Come All Ye Faithful" goes against type with a soft and flowing accompaniment in which the melody rises to the top like rich cream. How many times have you heard this song boom through all four verses? In this case, you are halfway through it before realizing what the title actually is.
"Once in Royal David's City," as befits the title, is presented formally, and even though you may not be familiar with the melody, you find it meditative. "O Holy Night" uses a light harp (beams of light instead of strings) which sounds like an instrument from old science fiction films, the Theremin. This is not meant unkindly, as experimentation in music is what it is all about, and Stuart Favilla knows just what to do.
"I Saw Three Ships" is done in rousing Celtic style reminiscent of "Riverdance." While, "The Little Drummer Boy" (as with "O Come All Ye Faithful") has an easy, relaxed beat, with oboe-like melody and softer drums and brushes in the background. "Angels We Have Heard On High" has a trumpet melody and jazz beat that segues into a Middle Eastern mix. "Silent Night" is not the usual, with background sounds like that of a jungle (it can be a silent night without snow, right?) and done in soft jazz. "Be Thou My Vision" has a shimmering background and is the most hymn-like of the selections on this CD, while the last one, "Out of Egypt" is a Rivertribe original. This one begins with a Middle Eastern sound, rather wailing, in fact, like a call to prayer that longs and lingers at the same time in the mind.
Rivertribe has two previous CDs out, Journey and The Blessing. If you are not familiar with their work, try them. The judicious use of native instruments in a jazz beat or Middle Eastern mix shows ingenuity and the ability to meld cultures. The multiplicity of instrumentation at hand is virtually endless, as with the moves that could be created by a dancer. Rivertribe shows you how they choose to do it. Change is good.
3 tocks
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