Amazon.com Homecoming, pianist Jim Brickman's 16th career release (his third with a holiday theme, joining The Gift and Peace), is an unerringly pleasant, gently uplifting package that delivers what most listeners probably want--a smart-sounding, family-friendly audio backdrop suited for any December gathering. Brickman's mix of nine instrumentals and four vocal tracks (seven are rearranged traditional works) carefully straddles a fine line between sophistication and sentimentality. Happily, other than a few heavily star-dusted moments (the final note of "I Saw Three Ships" sparkles as though it was touched by Tinkerbell's wand), the schmaltz factor is acceptably modest. More demanding Brickman listeners will probably wish he had dug deeper into the richer emotional terrain he visits on "Thanksgiving," the disc's opening track, and his ruminating interpretation of "Still Nacht." But holiday discs are audience-builders, so we instead get a double dose of former Lonestar vocalist Richie McDonald (with two nearly identical versions of "Coming Home for Christmas," an eyes-to-the-sky heart-clutcher), and the late Gerald Levert crooning a holiday version of "My Angel," a parent-to-child love song that originally appeared on Brickman's Escape disc. Not a flawless release, but definitely a cut above most easy-listening holiday fare. --Terry Wood
Customer Reviews:
Brickman is soothingJuly 31, 2008 Murphy E. Smith A friend of mine told me about Brickman because I had never heard of him but once I listened to some of his music I can honestly say that she was right because his music is mellow, soothing and quite good.
The best Holiday CD since White Christmas!April 9, 2008 Rosalie C.(NY, USA) After listening to this CD, I've fallen in love with Jim Brickman's music all over again. The CD has so many beautiful holiday songs. I especially love Coming Home for Christmas sung by Richie MacDonald. Now if I could get Jim to write a beautiful love song for my all time favorite romantic crooner singer (won't give name) life would be perfect!
Homecoming was wonderful!December 22, 2007 Christine B. Elliott Beautiful piano music. One melody flowed into the next. A great Christmas CD.
Excellent Holiday Music!December 12, 2007 D. Sample(Fredericksburg, TX USA) Great, easy listening music! Odd that one song is on there twice, but oh, well -
A Must-Have Christmas CD!!!October 31, 2007 J. Lauters(Ludington, MI United States) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I preordered this CD and I'm so glad I did. This CD is perfect for curling up with on a dark and cold night. It not only has Christmas songs, but also Thanksgiving and New Year's. Each song is so perfect I can't even begin to pick a favorite.
