Description
Laurie Z. has captured the enduring Joy of the Holiday Season in her sparkling new holiday classic, "Heart of the Holidays."
From the stunning keyboard work on traditional classics such as "Bring a Torch" and "Little Drummer Boy," to the unexpected syncopation of "What Child Is This?" and the light-hearted reverence of the "Carol of the Bells," Laurie breathes remarkable life and feeling into familiar tunes.
She also includes creative new interpretations of traditional Chanukah songs "Mo'oz Tsur" and "Sivivon," along with two new original numbers that easily hold their own next to songs we all know by heart. Listeners will walk away humming the melodies of the title tune and "Warmth From Within," which was written for the beautiful album cover oil painting by renowned artist Jesse Anderson.
Playful touches are included, like special guest, actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," which may well become the novelty hit of the season and inserting a snippet of Adam Sandler's "Chanukah Song" into the grand finale. And then topping it all off with Palance's delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
Yet the emotional centerpiece of the album has to be the stunning medley of John Lennon's "Imagine" and "Happy Xmas", featuring vocals by special guests Michael Carter, Guy Tanner and the Heart Choir. Recorded just days before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11th, no one knew that the events would give so much poignancy to Lennon's simple lyrics "...A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one, without any fear."
Clearly, this is more than just another Christmas CD. In fact, "Heart of the Holidays" is exactly what we need right now - a heartfelt reminder of the enduring joy of the season and of the human spirit.
And a recording that will live on year after year, finding a home in our hearts long after this year's sadness has passed into memory.
Tracks
1) Bring A Torch/Little Drummer Boy
2) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
3) The Heart Of The Holidays
4) Imagine/Happy Xmas
5) What Child Is This
6) Mo'oz Tsur
7) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8) Carole Of The Bells
9) Warmth From Within
10) Deck The Halls/Angels We Have Heard On High
11) Sivivon
12) Do You Hear What I Hear
13) Same Old Lang Syne Medley
14) The Night Before Christmas
Artist Profile
Laurie Z. first began performing at the remarkably young age of 5. A classically trained pianist, she has extended her education and experience well beyond the bounds of classical music, with influences as diverse as Mozart, Beethoven, Elton John and Bruce Hornsby, and has opened for such respected artists as Herbie Hancock, Leo Kottke and Tim Weisberg. "Heart of the Holidays" is Laurie's fourth solo recording, and features an original oil painting by artist Jesse Anderson, which was inspired by Laurie Z.'s music, as cover art. 10% of all our sales go to charity (Children's Hospital in Los Angeles Cancer Research Fund).
Credits
�2001 Zebra Productions
Vocals: Jack Palance, Michael Carter, Guy Tanner
Piano/Keyboard: Laurie Z
Sax: Alan Palmer
Drums: Albe Bonacci
The Heart Choir: Laura Hunter, Tenley Tanner, Sidney Roles, Mykkal Gibb, Lauren Stanley and Madeline Kleinman
Label: Zebra Productions