David Arkenstone - The Ultimate Christmas Playlist (2018)

Grammy-nominated composer David Arkenstone blends global, cinematic, and rock elements into his version of new age music, which has appeared in film, television, and video game scores as well as dozens of his own albums. A music lover since age ten, when he moved to California from Chicago, Arkenstone immersed himself in all kinds of music and played keyboards and guitar in numerous bands as a 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 was showcased on albums like 1998's The Celtic Book of Days and works from his band Troika, which released a series of albums from the mid-'90s to the early 2000s.

By that time, Arkenstone's solo career was thriving, with several Billboard hit albums and three Grammy nominations (for 1992's In the Wake of the Wind, 2000's Citizen of the World, and 2004's Atlantis) to his name. As the 2000s continued, Arkenstone branched out, incorporating Egyptian and tropical elements into his music, along with the sounds of the Earth in his Natural Wonders Collection series. He also worked on several acclaimed video game soundtracks, including 2007's World of Warcraft: Taverns of Azeroth and 2010's World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. His horizons continued to expand in the 2010s, and his work reflected the growing influence of ambient and chillout within the realm of new age music. By the time of 2016's Fairy Garden, Arkenstone also returned to the more vibrant, mystical approach of his early work along with forays into dark ambient sounds. In 2017, he paid homage to the romantic culture and cinematic history of Italy with Italian Nights. ~ Heather Phares

Tracklist:

01. Deck The Halls
02. Good King Wenceslas
03. Sleigh Ride
04. The First Noel
05. Away In A Manger
06. Winter Fantasy
07. Angels We Have Heard On High
08. Snowdance
09. Joy To The World
10. O Come All Ye Faithful
11. Christmas Day In The Morning
12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
13. The Bells Of Christmas
14. Snow On The Mesa
15. I Saw Three Ships
16. The Wexford Carol
17. Carol Of The Bells
18. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
19. The Coventry Carol
20. Noel Nouvelet
21. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
22. Angels In The Snow
23. The Little Drummer Boy
24. Wassailing
25. Gaudete
26. Jingle Bells
27. O Christmas Tree_Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant (Medley)
28. Patapan
29. The Darkest Midnight In December
30. Silent Night! Holy Night!
31. Spirit Of The Season
32. Bottom Of The Punch Bowl
33. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
34. What Child Is This_
35. New Snow
36. Arabian Dance
37. Do You Hear What I Hear
38. O Holy Night
39. The Holly And The Ivy
40. We Three Kings
41. Veni Veni Emmanuel
42. Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella