David Arkenstone - Celtic Christmas (2006)

Far more traditional and tasteful than many of the other holiday outings that fall under the new age umbrella, David Arkenstone's Celtic Christmas collection relies on mostly acoustic instrumentation, offering up a predictably warm yet refined set of familiar tunes like "I Saw Three Ships," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Good King Wenceslas," and "We Three Kings." Arkenstone treats the material with equal parts reverence and whimsy, and his subtle melodic variations give the whole affair a slight Elizabethan feel.

California's David Arkenstone blends global, cinematic, and rock elements into his new age sonic tapestries. A music lover since the age of ten, when he moved to California from Chicago, Arkenstone has immersed himself in all kinds of music, and played keyboard and guitar in numerous bands from his youth. It was when he discovered the lush arrangements and exotic approach of Kitaro that Arkenstone ventured into new age music. The increasing synergy between computer technology and musical instruments also inspired him; most of his works were created partly or entirely on his Macintosh along with synthesizers and guitars. This blend of electro-acoustic textures is showcased on albums like 1998's Book of Days, and works from his other project, Troika. Arkenstone returned in mid-2000 with Caravan of Light. Frontier followed a year later. In 2002, Arkenstone had two Grammy nominations and several Billboard new age smash hits under his belt. The legacy continued with the releases of Sketches From An American Journey in June 2002 and Atlantis in September 2004. ~ Heather Phares.

Tracklist:

01. I Saw Three Ships (5:13)
02. Good King Wenceslas (4:39)
03. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (4:20)
04. The First Noel (5:11)
05. Christmas Day in the Morning (4:50)
06. We Three Kings (4:43)
07. The Wexford Carol (4:46)
08. Wassailing (4:02)
09. Patapan (3:33)
10. What Child is This? (4:36)
11. Bottom of the Punch Bowl (4:09)