As it was James Lee’s idea, he contributed seven original pieces beginning with the wonderful “Olde Fashioned Christmas”, and one of the more interesting new twists is the amalgamation of the lyrics of “Deck the Halls” coupled with the melody of the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Faeries” from Tchaikowsky’s Nutcracker Suite, which he then turned into a remarkable SATB choral arrangement. You have to hear it to believe it. James also wrote a new melody for the Lord’s Prayer and arranged that for men’s choir. A chilling listen. He and Thom Bishop wrote what has to be a standard in, “That’s What I Want For Christmas”. There is also a new version of James Lee’s “Let It Begin With Me” and a lovely instrumental piece, “What Child Is This?”

James Lee’s sister Pamala contributed a wonderful New Orleans Gumbo version of the classic “Winter Wonderland”. She can also be heard vocalizing with James Lee on the acapella version of “Flowers For the Living”.

The legendary Peter Tork also accepted the challenge and came up with three beauties: “I Remember Christmas” which has been a staple of his live shows; at James Lee’s request Peter came up with a banjo instrumental of “Angels We Have Heard On High” (with James Lee on some supplemental guitar and twelve string), and not to be outdone, Peter’s own choral version of “His Masters Hall” which we’re calling “PT’s Noel”.

And for our piece de resistance, the estimableTom Paxton contributed his never before recorded, “It Was a Night Like This”. We are extremely honored to have Tom contribute. He wrote the classic, “Ramblin’ Boy”, as well as “Last Thing On My Mind” and maybe 3000 other great songs. Please check his website for his latest recordings.

Twelve songs to delight and charm you and your family for this and every holiday season.

The instrumentation on A Beachwood Christmas are as varied as their catalog.

On the pieces contributed by James Lee Stanley we have James Lee’s acoustic guitar, a Taylor 810ce is featured using Elixir Nanoweb custom light strings. His synths include the Alesis Quadrasynth (he beta tested it and has number 11); proteus 1; a rack of DX7’s (for those classic sounds), a supercharged MT-32 and a JX8P from Roland; a Korg P3; a Roland 707 Drum Machine; an HR 16 Alesis Drum Machine; an Alesis D-4; and he’s recording into a supercharged PC 750 mhz Pentium 3 using Cubase VST and all editing is done in Sound Forge. He also records in Vegas and Acid from Sonic Foundry. HIs effects are all the plug ins from all the mfg’s. He’s a junky for equipment. Keeps everything he ever had and buys what ever he can. Microphones include an AKG 414 eb; a pair of matched AKG 1000e’s; an AKG 451 condenser; an Oktava condenser; a pair of Shure SM58’s and a pair of SM57’s. He uses a James Demeter preamp on his guitar. His board is a Dayner from D&R in Holland, which he got thru the auspices of Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues whom he produced a few years back.

Peter Tork plays a 30 year old Guild M-30 acoustic guitar, a forty year old Ode long necked banjo, a Selmer French Horn and also records into Cubase VST for the Mac.

Pamala Stanley plays a Kurzweil Piano.

Tom Paxton is playing a beautiful Martin D-35 at last check, but that could have changed.