NOTE: LORDS A LEAPING VOLUME I IS AVAILABLE TOO! WWW.CDBABY.COM/LORDSALEAPING2 Lords a Leaping Volume II is a collection of original Christmas music written and performed by a group of songwriting friends in Central Pennsylvania. Songwriter John Cimino grew up listening to Christmas classics by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, and Mel Torme, and wanted to create "new classics" for this generation to enjoy. In 2002, Cimino teamed with drummer Michael Hughes, Pianist Brett Albert, and vocalists Adam and Jennifer Bell to record Volume I. Lords a Leaping combines Jazz, Pop, and Rock with well-crafted lyrics and memorable melodies. The result is a diverse and refreshing array of holiday music that the whole family can enjoy. Cimino's band, "Thunderbox," and Hughes' band "The Worry Knot" also have cd's available on CDBABY. Check them out! A REVIEW OF VOLUME II FROM WRKY-FM's JIM PRICE: (VARIOUS ARTISTS) – LORDS A LEAPING VOLUME II (no label) Two years ago, several musicians from Centre and Clearfield Counties collaborated on a Christmas project called Lords a Leaping, with the idea of creating Christmas songs that might someday become part of the catalog of songs we hear every holiday season. The group recorded the first Lords a Leaping album, and quickly sold out of the 600 copies they produced. That success, combined with more inspiration and ideas to create Christmas music, brought these musicians back together for a sequel. Lords a Leaping Volume II features a dozen songs, including ten original Christmas compositions and two interpretations of Christmas favorites. Like the first album, this album also features a wide variety of musical styles, spanning traditional to big band jazz to rock, folk and more. Seven of the songs are written by Loudmouth singer/bassist John Cimino, who also sings, plays bass and guitar. Among John’s contributions are the tender and reminiscent “That Christmas Feeling” and “Magical,” both sung by Jennifer Bell; “Child of Mary” with its varying textures to depict the stages of Christ’s life; “Santa Boogie” with its big band, Andrews Sisters feel; an English-flavored sea carol, “Sailing Home;” the garage-rocking “Christmas Is Near;” and the hopeful album closer “All Things Great and Small,” featuring backing vocals from the New Life Tabernacle Choir from Greensburg. Dive singer/guitarist Adam Bell contributes two songs, the uplifting love song “Reconcile” and the ballad “A Christmas to Remember.” Acoustic roots music duo Blind Jonny Death also contribute a song, the folksy “The Greatest Gift.” Also included are two established holiday favorites, a piano jazz-flavored rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and an atmospheric rock update of “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen.” Recorded this past October at Philipsburg-Osceola Area Junior High School; and recorded, mixed and mastered by John Wagoner, Lords a Leaping Volume II is another stellar effort. The vocal performances sound hearfelt and inspired, and shine throughout the album. The instrumentation is well coordinated, from John Wagoner’s and Adam Bell’s electric and acoustic guitar flavors to Brett Albert’s warm piano sound, Kevin Roessner’s tasteful trumpet and Michael Hughes’ varying drum textures. John Wagoner’s arrangements masterfully conjure the perfect mood and effect on each song, from the Charlie Brown Christmas-like feeling of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to the escalating arrangement of “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen.” Lords a Leaping Volume II picks up where the first Lords a Leaping left off two years ago, and the result is another fine set of fresh-sounding holiday music to trim the tree to. If this ensemble of local musicians continue to create Christmas music as appealing and compelling as these first two albums, it might be only a matter of time before Lords a Leaping is spoken in the same breath as present-day Christmas music icons like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Lords a Leaping Volume II is that good. (The album can be purchased at select stores in Clearfield and Centre Counties.)