Reviews
REVIEW: Once Upon a Time Forever After
Christmas CD Has Celtic Sound - D.S. Martin
Faith Today • January/February 2003
 here are several hints of Lianna Klassen's love of Narnia in the packaging of her new CD. One interior picture shows her in a winter woods beside a lone lamppost - you expect to see a faun with an umbrella coming through the snow. As you open the CD cover, designed to look like a storybook, you find the story she is telling is not fantasy, but the story of Christ's birth.
Rather than offering a traditional collection of carols, this Calgary-based artist tells stories to present Christmas. Most of the compositions are her originals. Both "Zecharia's Song" and "The Women's Song" paraphrase biblical characters such as Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, and Zecharia. "The Wise Men Interlude" worshipfully reminds us "wise men still seek, the Messiah of all."
A highlight is her beautifully simple "Gloria Deo" (too bad it's only three minutes long) with the angel choir represented by her multi-layered vocals in a style reminiscent of Máire Brennan or Enya. The song's appeal comes also through lyrics that simply present the story without explaining how to interpret it. Most of her songs succeed this way, with the exception of the preachy title cut.
Lianna Klassen's strong, clear voice soars through a soundscape of pop-styled praise music. A variety of Celtic and international sounding instrumentation embellishes this sound nicely. The production is full, uncluttered and tasteful.
If you seek to fill your home each December, as I do, with Christmas music that helps you reflect on Christ's incarnation, this CD will be a fine addition to your library.
D.S. Martin - Faith Today.
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REVIEW: Once Upon a Time Forever After
Once Upon a Time Forever After
2002 Dawntreader Productions
A review by Cory C. Engel
CelticChristianTunes.com
 nce Upon a Time Forever After, a Christmas album comprised largely of original tunes, continues to deliver Lianna Klassen's unique sound that was so captivating in 2001's Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland.
The first two non-instrumental songs, the title track and "The Women's Song" (which contemplates the experience of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna) tell a bit of the Christmas story. Transitioning into "Zecharia's Song", the story continues with a new worship emphasis which carries the listener through the remainder of the album. Indeed, worship is the dominant theme on the album.
Listeners will find two traditional tunes, the standard "O Little Town of Bethlehem", and the somewhat more obscure "Huron Carol", which Klassen presents with her indigenous North American influences.
Forever After concludes with a simple song of adoration, "Listen to You Breathe":
You are the keeper of my heart
You are the lover of my soul
You are my very passion, Jesus
And all I want to do is sit at your feet
And listen to You breath, Jesus
Klassen noted in the liner notes that in doing a Christmas project that she wanted to stay as far away from "schmaltz" as she could. With this collection of original tunes and new interpretations, she's been largely successful (since its in its proper context a reference to the "wise men still seek Him" cliche can be forgiven in "The Wise Men Interlude").
Though I find myself going back to her previous album (which I consider a masterpiece) for comparison, I'll be sure to have Once Upon a Time Forever After in my listening rotation come Thanksgiving, if not before.
Cory C. Engel - CelticChristianTunes.com
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REVIEW: Once Upon a Time Forever After
Klassen aims to inspire Christmas worship
By David F. Dawes
www.canadianchristianity.com
 IANNA KLASSEN has put her unique stamp on contemporary Christian music, utilizing exotic instrumentation and imaginative arrangements to augment her powerful vocal abilities.
Her previous albums, Listen to the Sound and Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland, were produced by B.C.-based Roy Salmond, one of the veterans of Canada's Christian music scene. Now based in Calgary, Klassen was drawn back to Salmond's Whitewater Studios in Surrey this past year. The result is her first Christmas-themed album, Once Upon A Time Forever After.
Like her previous albums, this one features unusual instruments, including sitar and celtic harp. Most of the songs were composed by Klassen, with the exception of 'Celebrate Emmanuel' by BC-based songwriter Graham Ord, 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'Huron Carol.' The singer also co-produced the album, along with Ord and Adam Dickens.
CC.com recently conducted an e-mail interview with Klassen, as follows:
CC.com: Who are you trying to reach with this CD?
Lianna Klassen: Well, I view this CD as a worship CD that tells the Christmas story. Most of the songs are taken directly from the scriptures and put to music. I believe we are coming into a season in the church where minstrels will stand up and sing the word of the Lord, not only in the church, but on the streets -- and people will be saved. I would love it if I heard back that people had been drawn to Jesus through this album. The advantage of a Christmas CD is that it crosses over easily -- and I hope it has a bigger audience than the church.
CC.com: What do you hope your CD will accomplish?
LK: I hope it brings people to a place of worship. I had no interest in doing a "schmaltzy" Christmas album; and the carols have been done very well by many artists. I wanted to create something that would maybe bring fresh perspective to some elements of the Christmas story. Songs like the 'Women's Song' and 'Once Upon A Time Forever After' hopefully do that.
CC.com: What role does your faith play in your art?
LK: I've always had an awareness of God -- and when I came to know Jesus personally as a child and young teenager, that awareness translated into my music. I've never been able to write for anyone but God, and I'm very content in that. I hope that, as I've grown in the Lord over the years, that this is reflected in my music.
CC.com: What is the most significant song on the album -- and why?
LK: For me, the most significant song is 'Listen To You Breathe.' It's actually not a Christmas song, but a corporate worship song that I wrote while I was in Uganda last January. It summarizes everything that Jesus means to me and why I celebrate Christmas -- because of the relationship I can have with him.
CC.com: Can you share an interesting anecdote about how someone responded to your music?
LK: I did a concert in a town outside of Edmonton. About a month later, I received a letter from a lady who had attended with a friend from the church. She wasn't a believer, but enjoyed my music enough to buy some CDs. She shared in her letter how, as a teenager, she'd had a brain tumour that had gone into remission; but she still struggled terribly with migraines. She told me that she had put my CD on before going to bed, and placed it under her pillow. For the first time in years, she was able to go to sleep without medication. I marvel at the healing power of music -- and I love getting letters like that!
CC.com: What are your future plans for your music?
LK: I guess to wait on the Lord, and see where he takes me. Hey, it's been an adventure so far -- and I'm sure it will continue!
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REVIEW: Once Upon a Time Forever After
CDs appeal to all ages - Carol Riediger
Mennonite Brethren Herald • Volume 41, No. 20 • December 6, 2002
ianna Klassen, a talented singer/songwriter has partnered with other excellent musicians in her productions of these two excellent CDs. The first, Love in the Ruins, Hope in the Wasteland, was co-produced by Roy Salmond. While probably best described as having folk-like and Celtic qualities in the music, there was much variety of style and instrumentation, both with acoustic and synthesized/digitally produced sounds from penny whistles and bagpipes to basic guitar and sometimes piano-only accompaniment. The instrumentalists and background vocalists bring quality to this project. She included several choral background groups (male, mixed and children). Lianna has a warm, clear voice with a haunting quality to it. I was impressed that the words were so easy to understand and so balanced with the instruments.
It is obvious that Lianna is a dedicated and growing follower of Jesus Christ. Her music and lyrics - all original - have been inspired by Scripture, and by current and ancient Christian writers and teachers.
I was moved emotionally and spiritually through this album. What an encouragement it was to my faith, a true testimony that God is in control in all circumstances. I believe this CD will appeal to a great range of age, from early adult to the older generation, and cross the boundary of interest of many musical styles.
Lianna's Christmas project, Once Upon a Time Forever After, also offers a very worshipful experience. This CD was co-produced with Graham Ord and Adam Dickens, both adding their British influences. Most of the music is again original. However, there are two lovely Christmas Carol arrangements - O Little Town of Bethlehem, using the traditional English melody rather than the one most of us are familiar with, and the Huron Carol, with its authentic First Nations' sound.
Again, the instrumentation is fascinating and professionally executed. Fiddles, Celtic harp, whistle and mandolin add interest to the music, in addition to the more common "live band" instrumentation.
Lianna suggests that this Christmas CD is to give a worship experience and emphasize the Christmas story and her love for Jesus. She "wanted to stay as far away from 'schmaltz' as she could". This is an inspiring yet enchanting album. It also appeals to a large range of ages and bridges the gap of many styles and interests of music. I highly recommend this CD.
Carol Riediger, a registered piano teacher lives in Chilliwack, B.C. She works as receptionist at the health unit and is involved in worship and music at the Chilliwack Central MB Church. Formerly she has been involved in music and evangelism at Saskatoon Youth For Christ and Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask.
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