‘An Enchanted Noël’ new album by Dan Kennedy in Peaceful Radio Show 1521
19 December 2022 Artists
AMHERST, MA — November 11 will see the release of composer-pianist Dan
Kennedy’s 7th album AN ENCHANTED NOËL to 120 radio stations and podcasts, to
32 streaming services including Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music. And for the
nostalgic, to compact disc, available online and at concerts. This brand-new Christmas
album is a potpourri of classic carols, pop favorites, and two originals.
Composing music since the mid-1980s, Dan Kennedy has developed a distinctive
voice in the Solo Piano field. “It’s been a very difficult couple of years for everybody in
the world. So, I hope you enjoy the holidays this year, in whatever form they take for
you – and enjoy your Christmas music as well.”
There are many aspects of this album that are emotionally loaded for Dan. It seemed
important, after 2½ years of pandemic, to create an original Christmas tune for those
persons not at home cutting trees, baking cookies, or wrapping presents, hence the
title “For Those Not Here.” About this piece, Kennedy adds, “The piece is an original
composition which came to me the first night of recording, in my hotel room. At around
midnight, the tune popped into my imagination, which is rare for me that I have a piece
come to me so intact, key changes and all. The piece switches back and forth
between A Major and F# Major, like an entity that moves back and forth between
heaven and earth…an angel?” Or was the mystery spirit his mom Dorothy, a lover of
Christmas music, who passed away in 2018, but who could have been her son’s
inspiration?
Included on this album is a Solo Piano version of the dramatic “Carol of the Bells.” A
much beloved song, it was originally written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola
Leontovych. “In the mournful way I play this I dedicate to the many millions of hearts
and souls of Ukraine during this trying time.” Interestingly, Kennedy notes, is that he
had been playing this tune for years, long before he knew it was Ukrainian.
The “Holiday Medley” is another piece Kennedy has been developing over the last
couple of decades. Three pieces are threaded together, “God Rest Ye Merry
Gentlemen,” a traditional classic; “The Little Drummer Boy,” an American pop tune; and
“What Child Is This,” the Christmastime parallel to its Springtime counterpart
“Greensleeves.” Since Dan had improvised the work so many, many times, the medley
was very challenging for him to pin it down to just one version. “I’m pretty happy with
this version, and my engineer Bill Ahearn got me really good sound at the studio when
we recorded in June of 2022 in Hartford, CT.”
“For Unto Us a Child is Born” is a unique arrangement, fusing the classical with the
contemporary. “It’s not every day I decide to arrange Händel. It’s also weird for me
because Händel’s version, from the Messiah, is really so perfect to begin with. But it’s
such a tuneful and gorgeous song that I just ran with it, taking huge liberties, such as
adding a whole new ‘B’ part to it. Folks will enjoy this one.”
“Sussex Carol” is an ancient traditional song of England. Says Kennedy, “This is one of
my newest arrangements. It’s a light and fast tune, a little jazzy, and it was quite spicy
for me during rehearsals [laughs]! But I can’t wait to play this song live, I haven’t done
that yet.” He’ll get his opportunity to play it at the CD Release Concert in Beverly,
Massachusetts, December 10.
“Of Snow and Stars” was a completely improvised piece made up on the spot. “We just
rolled tape. On Take 2 I actually went start-to-finish on the whole tune, and we kept it.”
A bit animated Dan continues, “I could just feel the snow and the stars glistening
together, and this piece has a fresh, contemplative sound that I just love.”
Contemporary Solo Pianist Dan Kennedy has performed in 21 U.S. states, and
Québec province. Since his 2007 debut EP LANTERN was released, Kennedy has
received play on 250 radio stations, and over 500,000 internet spins. Winner of a 2022
Global Music Award, plus the 2019 Enlightened Piano Radio Album of the Year, his
recordings have spent as many as 7 consecutive months on the ZMR Top 100. With a
style sometimes described as Classical Crossover, Dan approaches his compositions
with a conservatory-trained formal sensibility, and along the way overlays sparkling
melodies and flashes of unexpected improvisation. Dan and his wife Rachel reside in
an 1860 farmhouse in rural Massachusetts where they look after 8 chickens, 6 ducks, 2
goats, 2 cats, and 1 Newfoundland dog. Yes, and 1 partridge in a pear tree.
AN ENCHANTED NOËL can be purchased at https://www.dankennedy.us/store.
Track Listing
1. Angels We Have Heard on High 3:20
2. In the Bleak Midwinter 2:39
3. Carol of the Bells 5:17
4. For Those Not Here* 3:31
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 1:59
6. Holiday Medley 6:13
7. For Unto Us a Child is Born 3:23
8. Away in a Manger 2:23
9. Sussex Carol 2:54
10. The First Noël 1:53
11. Of Snow and Stars* 3:50
12. White Christmas 1:38