The Best Christmas Present
phenfan | Illinois | 11/19/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Superb! Listening to John Trones' HOLIDAY CD is like opening up a Christmas present and getting everything you wished for. HOLIDAY is a wonderful collection of romantic and sentimental holiday favorites. There is something to please everyone's musical tastes with jazz-flavored, traditional religious, and popular Christmas songs. John's amazing Broadway-style tenor voice creates a feeling of warmth and calmness that will help relieve the stresses of the holiday season. His music is ideal to have on for family gatherings, but you'll also want to just sit and listen in a quiet moment to appreciate his powerful, yet smooth voice. The beautiful, yet simple musical accompaniment of piano, saxophone, and flute allow John's voice to shine on every song.From the beginning, John sets a holiday mood by singing two much loved songs, I'll Be Home For Christmas and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, with such heartfelt emotions, to an eloquent and flowing piano melody by Mary Beth Carlson, John's sister. The piano and saxophone arrangements by Martha and Dana Mathewson on Merry Christmas Past, That's What I Want for Christmas, and What Are You Doing New Year's Eve produce a jazzy feel to these songs. Joanna Jahn's sultry vocals blend together so well with John's, especially on their duet, That's What I Want for Christmas. You can picture John as Joseph as he sings Joseph's Song. Mid-Winter is a gentle melody, performed so exquisitely by Mary Beth Carlson on piano and Dana Mathewson on flute.Adult contemporary romantic pianist and songwriter, Jim Brickman, joins John on five tracks, including two of his original songs, a recent holiday favorite, The Gift, and the amusing and romantic Even Santa Fell in Love. Hearing John sing these songs so enthusiastically will bring a smile to every Jim Brickman fan. John has an innate ability to capture and express the emotions of every song he sings, which is so evident when he creates a serene atmosphere on Silent Night. So breathtakting! Likewise, you will feel the joy and celebration in his voice on Silver Bells, which also includes backup vocals by Joanna Jahn. John is absolute perfection on A Grown-Up Christmas List. The touching sincerity in his voice to the lyrics and the poignant interpretation of the melody by Jim Brickman convey a feeling of hope in a post September 11th world. This is my favorite song on the CD. The final song, On This Christmas Night, is a beautiful acappella harmonizing by John and his sisters. If you enjoy jazz, cabaret, adult contemporary, or just great holiday music, and your musical tastes include Jim Brickman, Michael Feinstein, Harry Connick Jr., or Michael Crawford, you won't want to miss this HOLIDAY CD! This is one CD you will want to add to your holiday music collection and play often. Get yourself an early Christmas present and get HOLIDAY today!"
Blessed
phenfan | 11/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Trones is blessed. In addition to a great voice, he's surrounded by a talented mix of friends and family on his new "Holiday" album. His follow-up CD to "Forward", this collection is well produced by Jim Brickman, Mary Beth Carlson and Mr. Trones himself.Selections are varied and well chosen. All songs are memorable, but of particular note are "Joseph's Song", "Mid-Winter", "Grown-Up Christmas List", "On This Christmas Night" and the ever popular "The Gift". Not your ordinary Christmas album, John and his collaborators have created a very special CD."
A wonderful addition to my holiday album collection!
John Michael Lerma | SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA USA | 12/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John's velvet voice makes this holiday album one of my favorites. He takes classics and makes them his own. The new material didn't take long to become favorites in our household. I have one wish for Christmas, that John records another holiday album very soon."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1