By: Carol Swanson
h, Frank Wallace's Joy: Carols and Songs for a Season of Light is an instrumental
album for guitar connoisseurs. Armed with tremendous talent and a classical guitar,
Wallace works his way through nearly a full hour (59 minutes!) of spectacular
holiday fare, smartly sprinkling the familiar with the lesser known, and including
several Wallace originals as well. The artist excels on all levels. As an
accomplished classical guitarist, he brings great depth and virtuosity to every
track. His own record label, Gyre Music, provides a flawless recording with
acoustics that are both clean and warm. This is the sort of album that makes a great
companion while I work on endless projects, both personal and professional, as the
holidays approach.
The album embodies quiet elegance, yet never projects formality. Although Wallace's
musical expression is complex, the tracks embrace the intrinsic pleasures of simple
things, the everyday marvels that make life a treasure. I love the intimacy and
immediacy of music like this; indeed, it should have universal appeal across many
audiences.
Everything works very well. From the first bars of the opening Joy to the World,
which Wallace takes to a whole new level, to the album's closing moments Venite a
Laudare/Per Nadal, I was enthralled. Of the Wallace originals, my favorite is
probably the somewhat exotic and incredibly delicate A Shining, which makes me feel
as though I hold starlight in the palm of my hand.
Frank Wallace and his Joy deserve a standing ovation. The classical guitar's gently
expressive voice has never been more alive than in Wallace's capable hands. Bravo!
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