Jim Brickman brings an early Christmas to Fallsview Casino
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Isn’t it?
I apologize. I’m a little confused after witnessing Jim Brickman’s “Beautiful World — Christmas” performance Wednesday night in the Niagara Fallsview Casino’s Avalon Theatre.
The adult contemporary hit maker is in town to film two concerts for PBS, and Wednesday’s was the first, a holidaythemed show intended to air this December. And while the evening’s time-warp nature made everything feel a little off, that didn’t stop a jam-packed crowd from celebrating Brickman’s talents.
As the Cleveland native strolled onstage — which was enveloped in gauzy Christmas tree shapes and a backdrop of blue stars—it was clear that his fans love seeing him play, no matter the set list. And Brickman more than appeased his followers by infusing every familiar carol with his trademark sound.
Performing on a black concert grand that reflected every Christmas light on stage, the pianist showed that he has chops, building his chord-heavy songs up with confidence.
Starting the night with a trio of solo instrumentals, including “Joy to the World” and “OCome All Ye Faithful,” Brickman displayed a style that he never strays from, probably because fans have eaten it up for 15 years — simple melodies delivered by stacking one pretty chord on top of another, leaving no room for improvisation or dynamic shifts. IFortunately, Brickman tried to mix things up, inviting several guests on stage to interpret the music with him.
The first and most entertaining guest was electric violinist Tracy Silverman. In the middle of “Serenade,” Silverman broke into an Eddie Van Halen-style finger-tapping solo — a more-than-welcome burst of energy and eclecticism. Silverman was also part of the evening’s most beautiful moment, a medley of “Greensleeves,” “We Three Kings” and “Carol of the Bells.”
But the time of year was a constant shadow over these proceedings. When Brickman took the stage, he wished everybody “happy holidays,” to which half the crowd laughed out loud. While we were all in on it, it still felt odd to have to play along as the artist shared his personal thoughts on how much he loves “this time of year.”
And as the show wore on — with at least one tune having to be done twice to make sure it was right for broadcast — and guest vocalists Anne Cochran, Mark Masri and Orla Fallon tried to breathe some life into Brickman’s one-note approach to composition and arrangement, one couldn’t help but wish for New Year’s.
Concert Review
Jim Brickman
Wednesday night in the Avalon Theatre of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Another performance, which will include Jon Secada, at 8:30 tonight.
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