Dramatic Music Heralds the Holiday Season: Four New Albums for All Ages and Beliefs

The winter holidays - Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and more - bring out the best in many of us. For many musical artists it is a time to give through creativity. Looking beyond all the usual pop music holiday remakes, one can find truly innovative holiday music offerings from independent artists offering updated classics like "Amazing Grace" and dramatic new tales like "The First Little Angels on Earth," a lullaby for all ages. Whether Christian, Jewish, Hindu or Muslim, it is easier than ever for music lovers to find independent music releases that go beyond commercialism, bringing true beauty, artistry, and culture to our lives.

For instance, the music of Lia Scallon -- a musical storyteller whose lovely voice is similar to that of Julie Andrews - has just recently become available in the U.S., and it is non-denominational. In her double CD set "The First Little Angels on Earth," Disc 1 conveys the story of five brave little angels, who undertake a Grand Adventure, to visit beautiful planet Earth. Adults and children alike will be swept up in this magical cosmic fable, with its subtle, yet profound universal messages. Disc 2 offers soothing lullaby music as an extension of the Angels' story.

"Amazing Grace" - one of the Christian world's best-loved songs - can be heard in a whole new way, thanks to a holiday makeover provided by Native American Flutist Ann Licater and Flugelhorn player Jeff Oster. The San Francisco-based musicians collaborated to create a completely new rendition of one of the world's best-known songs. Unclassifiable as either jazz, World, Christian or New Age music exactly, this downloadable single is at once touching and uplifting. Hymns offer a sense of solace at the holidays, and at just 99 cents on CDBaby.com and iTunes.com, the download is priced right for a recession-riddled holiday. The duo intends to employ a completely online "green marketing" approach to promoting the track, hoping fans will love it enough to pass it on to family and friends.

And what are the holidays without the romantic dusting of snow and the drama of ice? Two critically acclaimed pianists - Michele de Wilton and Ola Gjeilo - bring the holidays home by paying tribute to winter wonderlands in their latest albums. Michele de Wilton's single "The Ice Maiden" has successfully launched her Myths and Legends album into the Top 20 in the New Age radio market. In an accompanying dramatic music video, de Wilton stars as Gerda, the beautiful Ice Maiden of Norse legend, whose frozen heart is melted as her world is transformed to springtime.

Norwegian artist Ola Gjeilo's solo debut album Stone Rose celebrates wintertime in one of the world's top cities with "Snow in New York" and "January" in a spiritually reflective album with minimal accompaniment on flugelhorn, violin and cello; it is also available for audiophiles as an SACD Hybrid.

High-quality independent music is in abundance this season. Whether you are seeking to make a Christmas music soundtrack for entertaining at home, or enjoying spending your newfound gift cards, you may want to take a moment to look beyond the norm to find holiday music that truly feeds your soul.

Other music worth discovering:

Voices of Angels by Libera

Blue Dream by Fiona Joy Hawkins

Beloved by Ashana

Liberation's Door by Snatam Kaur