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Michael Medley Christmas Piano-We Three... Review by Gary Hill Michael Medley (who although not a household name, has done 5 recordings, including a live video) released this CD of solo piano Christmas songs several years ago. This is a great disc for sitting by the fireplace with someone you love during the holiday season. The disc can be purchased directly from Medley for $14.48 for CD or $10.48 for cassette (both prices include shipping). He can be contacted by email at Zappaq@aol.com, fax (949-249-4379) or snail mail (24852 Wave Crest Lane, Dana Point, CA, 92629. Please mention that you read about it in the Music Street Journal. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: The Early Years Volume 4 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-The-Early-Years .

Track by Track Review

Silver Bells Medley puts in a very pretty and delicate rendition of this holiday favorite.

What Child Is This? This is a very beautiful interpretation of a wonderfully beautiful song.

Meditation III Somewhat Wakemanish, this is an intriguing original composition with strong classical leanings.

We Three Quite dramatic, this one features a very unusual arrangement.

Oh Holy Night This cut is a greatly pretty arrangement and performance of this classic.

Meditation IV A lovely and gentle original composition, this is quite a brief piece that seems to lead directly into the next number.

Day 12 Beginning in an almost playful mode, this quite dramatic piece, with Emersonesque leanings segues into Drummer.

Drummer A jazzy sort of arrangement of A Little Drummer Boy, this is quite an entertaining cut.

Comin` To Town A playful and rousing rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town, this one calls to mind Keith Emerson.

Angels This is a delicate and pretty number.

More Angels A more sedate, thoughtful and slower tune, this one is quite beautiful.

Ring! (Ukranian Bell Choir) This is a beautiful and enchanting piece with a surprisingly energetic texture. Ring! is definitely a stand out cut.

The Chipmunk Song This is a rather intricate and fairly sedate performance.

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year Medley does a fairly playful performance of this piece.

Masters in The Hall Another fun song, this one is quite complex in many ways.

Happy Christmas This cut is a very pretty variation of a John Lennon Christmas composition.

Meditation V Wakemanesque and quite beautiful, this original number is very wonderfully intricate.

God Rest Ye Merry Gents A considerably brief piece, this is, nonetheless, quite an effective version of this Christmas classic.

Dance Of The Sugar-Plums Fairies (Too Much Sugar) A very fun number, again showing inklings of Wakeman leanings, this one includes a playful ending.

Rudolf This Christmas favorite is given a jazzy and playful reworking.

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