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3,250,400 satisfied buyers
MP3 Calvin L. Coolidge II - The Very Best Of Christmas
22 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Orchestral, EASY LISTENING: Mood Music
Details:
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This compilation of traditional - and easily recognizable - Christmas songs features over 100 instrumental sounds. With playing time over 1 hour, its pleasing sounds are assured to keep your interest while setting a peaceful mood for the Holiday Season!
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"There''s no question that music has a profound impact on people," says Presidential relative Calvin L. Coolidge II. "It can change a mood with it''s slightest touch, it whisks away cares, brings people together, and brings joy to our hearts."
Ask anyone who knows Cal and there''s little doubt that his music leaves a lasting impression.
"His compositions are prime...he does great work" are just a few of the good things people say about his music.
A guitarist, pianist and synthesist his attraction to music spurred him to earn his degree in music. Today he writes Jazz, Pop, Folk, Rock, New Age, Electronic, World, Urban, Classical, Chant, and Blues.
It is because of this diversity that listeners are often surprised to learn that it is one and the same person on his different recordings. "I consider it a high compliment when people tell me that they didn''t even know it was me (playing and composing) on different pieces," says Cal. Compare the ensemble, guitar centered SECONDS to the multi-textured CLUB TIAJ and you''ll know what we mean!
Fans agree. "Both recordings are excellent musically and demonstrate his expertise not only as a player but also as a writer," as one critic put it. "After I heard SECONDS, I expected CLUB TIAJ to be something similar. It isn''t. I''m quite impressed! I must have listened to CLUB TIAJ at least 20 times in disbelief that it really came from the same person."
Another observer says, "A lot of musicians are really good at playing in their one style. But if you ask them to play out of that style, they get lost. Cal is not like that."
"As a guitarist, I''ve heard him easily go from Folk to Rock to Country to Blues without skipping a beat. Then to hear his symphonic arrangements...well, you have to hear it to believe it!" says another.
"Rare is a musician who is so well versed in many different styles. Not many can do that! And you never hear him play the same thing twice!"
"Composing music is like acting," adds Cal. "The objective of a great actor is to play their roles so convincing that the audience is unaware that it is this same actor who is playing another different role. I think this can be done with music too."
His first CD, an intimate recording, Clear Dream Day, showcases his spontaneous compositional skills as these light-spirited solo guitar compositions were recorded on the spot as they were being created.
His second CD, aptly titled SECONDS, adds top musicians from both the West and the East coasts to his masterful guitar playing and his strong musical compositions. SECONDS is often described as "intelligent instrumental soft rock backed up by a smooth jazz ensemble" and shows his ability to effortlessly weave Rock, Folk, New Age, Classical, and Jazz elements into one smooth recording. Several of his fans have told him that they keep this CD in their car players permanently - and no wonder. It is produced by Grammy-nominated artist Paul Speer (David Lanz, Michael Stearns, David Arkenstone) and features the woodwinds of New Age/Jazz great, Richard Warner (David Lanz, Tingstad and Rumbel).
His self-produced third CD, CLUB TIAJ, shows his venture in a new direction and gives each listener an expansive array of sounds. CLUB TIAJ combines Dance, World, Urban, Rock, Pop, New Age, Classical and Ambient styles into one cohesive and upbeat CD. This music is FUN! It is danceable - and songs like TRIBE and NIGHT HAUNT FAREWELL are 2 of the more mysterious songs that are on this CD. CLUB TIAJ is named The Best Recording of 2003 from Wind and Wire along side recording luminary YANNI. (See the AWARDS section on his website, https://www.tradebit.com).
"The production of quality music and CD art is very important," says Cal. "Every detail is inspected. The quality of the final recording lies first with the choice of song. Adding just the right instruments at just the right moment is very important. Working also with talented musicians is a must. Helpful too is being mindful of the production and mastering process before recording even begins. Then selecting top-quality and appealing artwork makes all the difference for a quality record." Adding, "I believe people want recordings that make a difference, that make them feel a certain way and ones that become more alive as they listen to them over and over - and be pleased with looking at what''s in their hands too!"
There''s much more to come from this talented and versatile musician as he writes and records new definitive melodic music where each piece remains fresh and contains that "something special."
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REVIEWS:
"Every so often, https://www.tradebit.com receives a letter from someone asking where to find "traditional" Christmas music. Most questions we receive are tough to answer, but this is one of the toughest, because it is difficult to know what someone means by "traditional". For me, traditional sounds a lot like Calvin L. Coolidge II''s The Very Best of Christmas.
"Traditional is all of the songs I grew up with. Coolidge has done his level best to get all of the traditional favorites on a single CD (The Very Best of Christmas weighs in at an ample 69 minutes, 22 songs). Every song, save one, is a holiday Chestnut. The only somewhat rare track is The Angel Gabriel, of which I can find only three other recordings. So, Coolidge does not over-promise with his The Very Best of designation.
"Traditional also brings to mind the unobtrusive and unprovocative sound of background music I used to hear on the Reuters News Summary channel in East Texas during the ''70s. Characteristic of this genre, Coolidge''s arrangements are straightforward and likably familiar. Although a few cuts could be described as new age (think Mannheim Steamroller, but without the moog effects), most are quite traditional.
"The liner notes don''t offer much guidance, but I believe Coolidge plays guitar and keyboards, while several of the harmony tracks are programmed. By design, Coolidge has created a smooth, tasteful and tasty pastiche that could easily displace Butch Baldassari''s mandolin stylings on the Weather Channel."
--Richard Banks
"One man (the namesake of our 30th president) plus over 100 instrumental sounds equal one solid and innovative instrumental album for the holidays. With 22 tracks providing well over an hour of music, The Very Best of Christmas is a showcase of diverse synthesized orchestrations. To top it all off, how cool must it be to have a handle like Calvin L. Coolidge II? Presumably, no one forgets your name or botches the spelling!
"Prolific Cal has self-produced several albums that span a surprising number of styles and genres. On The Very Best of Christmas, Cal demonstrates some elasticity, not so much with respect to mood or genre, but with respect to his choice of synthesized sounds. The music is straight-ahead, easy-listening instrumental music with a new age flavor and a focus on ancient carols. The arrangements are stylish, but not overproduced, letting the timeless melodies shine through.
"Favorite pieces include the ever-lovely "Coventry Carol" with its bells and the flowing piano treatment on "Away in a Manger." The synthesized strings and horns on "Angels We Have Heard on High," the CD''s longest track, are also impressive. The Very Best of Christmas finishes well with a dynamic "Joy to the World" that employs a true potpourri of instrumental excitement.
"If you yearn to have a presidential relative in your home for the holidays, and you don''t have any blood ties with Bush, Clinton, Carter, Nixon, Roosevelt or any other first family, just keep Cal in mind. With The Very Best of Christmas, Calvin L. Coolidge II will fill your home with his personal instrumental performance on 22 seasonal sensations!"
--Carol Swanson, https://www.tradebit.com
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To keep up to date with Cal''s latest information visit his web site, https://www.tradebit.com.
To see all his listings with CDBaby, see https://www.tradebit.com
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