Christmas: Winter Nights
Jazz guitarist Al DiMeola gives new meaning to the phraseworld musicby working with Ukrainianbanduraplayer Roman Hrynkiv. Here DiMeola explores a special collection of instrumental seasonal works, underscoring them with layered percussion. A number of captivating originals and intricately arranged standards surface here, including "Carol of the Bells, "Ave Maria," and "The First Noel." DiMeola certainly titled the album right: these seasonal songs readily capture the penetrating chill and peacefulness of a star-laden winter sky. Recommended.--Martin Keller