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Our Review

An intensely talented and remarkably prolific pianist, Michael Allen Harrison's Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto is one of more than 15 holiday releases--and more than 40 offerings overall. This album is a triumph, containing one lengthy Christmas Medley track that transitions through 13 different musical pieces (The First Noel;Pachabel's Canon;God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen;What Child Is This;Golden Child;Drummer Boy;Deck the Halls;Silent Night;O Holy Night;Carol of the Bells;Joy to the World;Gift of Life;Will You Take Me There) over the course of 52 minutes. The result is a nonstop tapestry of beautiful instrumental music that is creative and downright exciting.

Having entertained audiences as diverse as Walter Cronkite and the Dalai Lama, Harrison is a natural performer, and his confidence and professionalism pervade the recording. He also has a fun sense of humor, letting his lengthy improvisation incorporate cool touches, like having Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida make a brief appearance. The music is serious, but whimsical, too. He masterfully moves from gentle, contemplative sections to high-energy romps, covering the emotional range with ease.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto and wish that I could celebrate with Michael Allen Harrison in late December every year. His lengthy Christmas Medley enveloped me from start to finish. This offering would be the perfect choice for entertaining guests at your holiday party, and if you really like the CD, just think of all the other Michael Allen Harrison releases that await your consideration!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

Performed live at the Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto 12/30/03, Portland, Oregon.
Produced by Michael Allen Harrison.

From the Website:

About this album:
A live concert and magical evening was captured last Christmas at the Grotto's festival of Lights. Michael plays there every year on the last night . When Michael started playing it started to snow!

About the artist:

At once intensely personal and universal, the music of Michael Allen Harrison finds a place in our deepest emotions.

He reflects somber moments with the gentle touch in his heartfelt piano melodies. His fiery concerto movements match charged moments with magnificent bravado. His strikingly diverse musical styles meet us at high and low touch points that extend far beyond the seven octaves on his grand piano.

Recognized as Steinway Signature Artist, Michael has built a reputation as a prolific and stylistically multifaceted pianist, playing classical, new age/world, and contemporary jazz. In a career that has spanned over two decades, he has expanded his talents as a producer, composer, and arranger.

Michael released his inaugural album in 1986. Since then, he has released more than 40 albums showcasing his vast variety of performing and composing styles. He launched his own record company, MAH Records, in 1984; it is now a well-known label for other popular Northwest artists. To date, Michael has produced music for more than 200 musicians.

His songs have touched the sky and circled the earth, as they have been played on the space shuttles Endeavor and Discovery. He and his beloved Steinway have performed for President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Quincy Jones, Walter Cronkite, Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell and the Dalai Lama. Michael has also performed at the United Nations in New York City premiering his tribute song, Remembrance, for the 50th anniversary of Israel's independence in 1998. He also played at the World Peace Conference at The Hague, in the Netherlands in 1999.

Michael Allen Harrison

Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto

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