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Songbook Review: Peaceful Christmas
Louis Landon
Cover image of the songbook Peaceful Christmas by Louis Landon
Peaceful Christmas
Louis Landon
2011 / Landon Creative
74 pages / 15 songs
Review by Kathy Parsons
This is one great Christmas sheet music book! Louis Landon’s arrangements of eleven traditional carols and his four original pieces are as much fun to play as they are to listen to on the recording. The songs are not as difficult to play as some of his earlier sheet music, although they are far from a beginning level. The only piece I would call difficult is Landon’s arrangement of “Jingle Bells,” but it is certainly do-able with some fairly advanced chops and a little time. Some of the rhythms are different from what you usually find in sheet music books, but that’s part of why Landon’s arrangements are unique and so much fun to play. I love his jazz waltz “O Christmas Tree” and gospel “Silent Night” as well as his own “Icicles.” I also really enjoy playing “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “Joy to the World,” and “Greensleeves.” Actually, all of the songs in this book are great, and I’ll be spending more time playing them even after the review is posted.

This spiral-bound book is printed on heavy paper with roomy spacing and bright, clear printing. None of the key signatures are difficult - “Family” in the key of A (3 sharps) is the only piece with more than two sharps or flats, so that makes the songs easier to learn quickly. Most of the songs have a reach of an octave or less, although there are a few places were there is a bigger stretch. Pianists with smaller hands can always roll or break those chords or take a note off the top or bottom to make them easier to play. If you are looking for Christmas sheet music with a little different twist, you’ll love this book! It is available from louislandon.com and I give it my highest recommendation!
December 6, 2011
This songbook has been tagged as:
Holiday Songbooks
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