Gloria By Neil Patton

 

Gloria

By

Neil Patton

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

This time of year brings the many adaptations of holiday classics as one would expect, here Neil Patton brings to the fore probably one of the most original and all-encompassing I have heard for many a decade and called Gloria, in a gaze across the years of snowy winter landscapes and the Christmas genre.

The start is indeed incredibly impressive and is entitled O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, regardless of any religious beliefs cultural or otherwise, it’s useful to look at the album from a musical perspective entirely, the version that Patton draws, presents and gifts us is in my view, the best piano version I think I have ever heard, filled full of passion and power and containing a fluency that is strong and forthright in its endeavours.

Gloria is an 11 track release destined for seasonal greatness; it contains within its ranks pieces like Joy to the World. A universal rejoicing can be found here, a sacred renewal perhaps, and is one that illustrates nature’s harmony within the amazing universe we all reside in, and all manifested in one incredibly up-tempo version.

We can find the ambient refrains of Still, Still, Still, this gentle Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby and was originally a traditional folk tune from Salzburg, passed down through oral tradition, as many are. Here Patton and his piano manifest something remarkable, and a sense of lush ambience and a melodic sense of beauty can both be found here.

Many of your seasonal favourites can be located here like What Child Is This? This is a beloved Christmas carol written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, set to the hauntingly beautiful melody of the English folk tune Greensleeves, the mixture of piano with instrumentation here is as green as the leaves that once lived in the forest, and is one that also features the skill set of Cathy Patton on flute and piccolo, who can also be found on the album later.

Powerful moments of musical expectation can be achieved on offerings like the glorious Hark! The Herald Angels Sing or the fluent tenderness of The Christ Child Lullaby, which is a traditional Scottish Gaelic hymn known for its affectionate melody and deep religious roots.

Deeper in the weave of the release we will once again join Cathy Patton on the intricate version of Gabriel's Message, interesting cultural roots can be found here too, as the carol originates from the Basque Country, a region straddling northern Spain and southern France. It is based on an older Latin carol, Angelus ad Virginem, dating back to the 13th or 14th century; one can relish woodwind and piano in full flow within this track.

A vibrant version of, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear can also be found upon the album, whilst the deeper vibrations and tones of Emmanuel (God With Us) is nestled nicely in the more intrinsic part of the release. Whilst the shortest piece from this compilation of seasonal goodies, is our penultimate gift and entitled Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, this is a real call to action, the lyrics urge villagers to bring torches and quietly approach the new-born, emphasizing reverence and joy, the fast upbeat tempo of this version injects an urgency and intensity into the overall narrative.

The artist most sensibly ends with probably the best know carol of all time in Silent Night. Its gentle melody and simple lyrics have made it a symbol of hope and serenity, especially during times of conflict and uncertainty. This for me is the crown jewel in the album, played at a perfect tempo and ushering in colour and multiple layered textures whilst doing so.

As holiday and seasonal music goes Gloria by Neil Patton has to be one of the best I have had across my desktop in a long time, each piece is played to an ultra-high standard, with style panache and great class, making this for me a Christmas hit this year, one that should be embraced by the fans and followers alike the world over.