DAVID DEMORDAUNT: The Third Noel

David DeMordaunt

The Third Noel

© 2003 David DeMordaunt (format: CD-R)

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Inventive, engaging, yet sweet and respectful guitar interpretations of traditional Christmas songs.

tracks

1 The First Noel
2 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3 Little Drummer Girl
4 Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
5 Joy to the World/All Through the Night
6 Do You Hear What I Hear
7 Upon a Midnight Clear
8 Three Kings' Bell Carol
9 What Child is This
10 Be Unto Your Name
11 Again God Rest Ye
12 O Holy Night
13 Heavenly Peace

notes

~~ Comment from recent purchaser: "[Goes] back to the original spirit of the songs, and even when the sound is
modern the sentiment is traditional."

~~ Review from Servantsheart.com: "...walk[s] the fine line between remaining faithful to the traditional Christmas songs we love while imparting his original creative flair. A privilege usually reserved for the established artist after releasing at least three recordings.

The project is probably the best (mostly instrumental) Christmas record I've had the pleasure of listening to. These songs are so familiar to most of us that to deviate is to offend. David strikes the perfect balance between the roots and spirit of these traditional songs while leaving his special touch on each interpretation.

Subtle nuances and unique musical emphasis create a beautiful original mood for every song without ever going too far. Some Christmas records seem to only find their way in to your CD player during the holidays but this one should be enjoyed all year long. David creates music that is engaging to the mind and soothing to the soul. David's music in infused with mystery, melancholy, sweetness and power remaining vital and pleasing as time passes.

~~ Review from Christmasreviews.com: Fabulous! David DeMordaunt's rock fusion "The Third Noel" is a magnificent mélange of modern approaches to well-known holiday numbers. This is a largely instrumental CD, and the show is almost entirely DeMordaunt's (he arranged, engineered, performed, and recorded the she-bang, with a little help from some friends). The artist is equally at home with acoustic guitar and electronic synthesizers; he does it all. Although the liner notes are bare-bones, the artist's website provides an impressive amount of information regarding the performers, the albums, and the story behind each musical piece.

"The Third Noel" presents 13 richly-layered tracks of 11 holiday favorites, including two versions of "God Rest Ye." The arrangements are incredibly creative. The album nicely opens and closes with straight-ahead acoustic beauties ("The First Noel" and "Heavenly Peace"), then plunges into more complex compositions. Several tracks have "singing," but only two in the classic sense; Angelique Borja brings her gorgeously sweet voice to the lyrics of "All Through the Night" in the "Joy To The World/All Through The Night" medley. In other spots, she provides ethereal tone singing/humming ("Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", "What Child Is This," "O Holy Night"). DeMordaunt does the honors in "Be Unto Your Name," using his gentle and emotive voice to sing the religious number; it fits very well in the overall package, even if not a true holiday piece. He applies his own inspired vocal intonations on the first "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

This fusion rock is flexible, reflecting great imagination. Some tracks sport an ethereal quality that is not-of-this-world (for example, the second "God Rest Ye"); others open rather routinely, then launch into very diverse combinations ("Little Drummer Girl," for example, opens with an electric pickin' fest, then moves into a more heavily synthesized treatment, including unworldly sounds reminiscent of whale songs). "Do You Hear What I Hear?" has superb sax floating o'er an exotic bottom line. So many marvelous moments! All of the tracks are excellent; my personal favorites certainly must include "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and the "Joy To The World/All Through The Night" medley.

DeMordaunt is a thoughtful perfectionist and the consummate professional; he has definitely accomplished wonders with this wonderful album. "The Third Noel" is an excellent choice for a broad range of holiday listeners this Christmas season.

--Carol Swanson

~~ David DeMordaunt is a San Francisco Bay Area songwriter / guitarist / singer. He incorporates a delicate balance of electric and acoustic guitar elements into his music.

For The Third Noel, he performs unique arrangements of traditional Christmas songs. The collection focuses on deeply rooted seasonal hymns and melodies. Each song on this collection is given its own identity and unique instrumentation, but the arrangements remain respectful to each song's legacy.

This collection also features violin, flute and sax elements, as well as the impossibly beautiful voice of Angelique Borja on several tracks.

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