Les Fradkin’s 22 solo releases and counting testify to his enduring
ability to conjure musical magic for listeners. Moreover, his long
history dating back to his time as an original cast member of the
Broadway musical Beatlemania testifies to his diversity. Decades into
his career, however, doesn’t mean he’s showing any signs of slowing down
and the years haven’t dulled his creativity. If you are looking for
evidence of that ongoing creativity, look no further than his new single
“Say You Love Me for Christmas”.
Yuletide songs are a long standing tradition in the music world dating
back far before Les Fradkin ever picked up a musical instrument. Many
are stilted, overwrought manufactured tracks bereft of any true
sentiment. Fradkin, however, touches listeners immediately with his
unvarnished and unquestioned sincerity. The song’s beguiling melody
captures you within a few notes. It flows easy, never pushes on the
listener, and the song’s changes come naturally.
Links to listen:
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The verses are full of Christmas charm, but the greatest payoff for the
listener comes with the song’s chorus. Fradkin’s climatic line is the
one that will truly bring a smile to all but the most jaded of
listeners. The song’s instrumentation is a one man band production from
Fradkin, but it doesn’t come off that way. Instead, it strikes listeners
as a near full band production guided by Fradkin’s guitar synth playing.
It isn’t an instrument that many guitar players employ and some decry
the difference in sound between synth guitar and the traditional
six-string. In Fradkin’s hands, however, the instrument has all of the
naturalness that you would expect from traditional guitar. His playing
boasts a gentle fluidity that carries the track’s melody. There’s no
traditional bridge in the song carried by lyrics, but he carries the
song through a short instrumental break that puts a beautiful
exclamation point on the release. We hear a final refrain that sparkles
with the same Xmas beauty present throughout the early portion of the
track.
Les Fradkin’s “Say You Love Me For Christmas” is one of the best
Christmas tracks in recent memory. It illustrates Fradkin’s true love
for the holiday season without any of the garish ornamentation that
lesser performers embrace. He’s an underrated treasure for the music
world who continues to pursue his Muse with the same fervor that’s
defined his musical journey up to this point. Long may he continue to
write, play, and create. We’re better off with him in our musical
sphere.