Search - Eric Tingstad, Nancy Rumbel :: The Gift: Acoustic Offerings for the Holiday Season

Jessica C. from PENSACOLA, FL
Reviewed on 1/8/2024...

While old enough to be a classic, this album is a new friend to me! Its timeless use of acoustic guitar and woodwind instrumentation and gentle contemporary freedom in interpreting both well and lesser-known Christmas selections has captured my heart and secured a place as one of my favorites, soothing my soul and moving me to joyful tears at turns! The Gift is an elegant musical ornament for any home and a delightful treat for the inner child (especially when the chimes and ocarina appear!).

Not Just For Christmas

Kait Skyler | Portland, OR United States | 12/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Friends and family don't want to listen to Christmas carols in July? Do they scream Bah Humbug and tell you to wait till December or tell you you have Christmas on the brain? Well, they won't say anything, and might not even think these are Christmas songs if this is the recording you play. Why? Because none of these well known Christmas songs sound like the canned holiday stuff that the stores play to get you to spend, and radio stations think is all that defines the holidays. Instead, Tingstad and Rumble, premiere Northwest musicians, weave amazing counter melodies that take you to other places. Good King Wenceslas is a wonderful example of that, starting out with the familar melody must people know, and then taking off into a delightful counter melody. Deck the Halls, is done in an upbeat way that can chase any stress away and leave you smiling. If, I was told, I could only have one holiday CD in my collection, this would be the one. I give this to friends, and they are never disappointed. So, if you like familar songs, done in unusual ways with unusual instruments, that are guaranteed to warm your heart and soothe your soul, give this CD a try. I bet you will play it the year round."

The gift eric tinstad, nancy rumbel

wendy a houston | Micronesia | 12/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this cassette at least five years ago but somehow lost it in my latest move. I found that I listened to it all year since it transends Christmas time. I was thrilled to find that it was out in CD and have just ordered a new one. It gives me a very peaceful feeling which makes it the best Christmas CD I have yet to encounter. I highly recommend it at Christmas and all year."