Reflections By Stephen Wallack

 

Reflections

By

Stephen Wallack

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

To be honest I am amazed that each year artists release a Christmas album and still somehow find a way to make the whole process and outcome completely fresh, new and exciting, this can be said nicely to sum up Reflections, the latest album from pianist Stephen Wallack.

The very beginning is a fine example of my aforementioned statement, Wallacks version of We Three Kings is bright, sparkling and extremely empowering, and the performance here is utterly radiant and uplifting.

I always look for something new, something creative at this time of the year and Wallack has gifted that to me with ease; take a listen to his rendition of Rudolph, a classic from every single Christmas I can remember, but here Wallack creates a new and fresh energy, in fact it is almost like you are hearing the song for the first time.

The tempo of this next offering, We Wish You A Merry Christmas is clever, it has a teasing slow to start, then bursting into life, the charming refrains and structure used here are truly crafted and once more outside the box, but easily recognisable.

We Three Kings is a memorable composition that just about everyone who loves this time of year will have their own reflections of, Wallack manifests something much deeper here than expected, his performance and the beautiful use of the minor chords bring us something quite emotive and deeply moving to revel in.

The journey continues with Away in a Manger, Wallacks arrangement here has that wonderful new age style feel to its construction, it has a gentle fluency, but a wonderful musical purpose to enjoy.

One of the most fun pieces at this time of year is Jingle Bells, here however is a totally different view on the composition, the slow and carful beginning is part of a crafted build and progression, which manifests one of the most colourful and beautifully performed arrangements on the album.

Frosty, well it never is here in Cyprus, but I can just about remember the days of building snowmen! Wallack brings energies of a reflective nature to this offering, but it’s one that also retains its original essence; this light hearted reverie is actually quite ambient to listen to.

The five notes most recognisable at this time of year probably come from the well-known and renown piece Joy to the World, they are here on this wonderfully light offering from Wallack, his performance is also a musical narrative that is filled with hope and happiness too, something we all need right now more than ever.

Our penultimate composition is a real anthem like opus, and of course called Oh Christmas Tree. Stephen Wallack’s ability here to manifest something new and fresh is simply riveting to behold, the keen ear and willing musical mind of the artist once more breathes a new purpose into a much loved arrangement.

The last track off the album is probably one of the most well-known Christmas carols of all time, so I must be referring to Silent Night and of course I am, what Wallack has done so well here, is not only to leave the album with a classic, but to add some creative nuances to the piece, whilst allowing it to retain its original overall form.

Reflections by Stephen Wallack is an album that most families would love to have playing on Christmas day, each is a memory palace to a personal place of reflection, and all are created with the love and intention that an artist of Wallacks standing can do with such ease. To manifest something clear crafted and deeply enjoyable is a wonderful thing indeed, which of course makes me think that it would without doubt make an excellent present too.