REVIEW: Dallas String Quartet — “Deck The Halls” (SINGLE)
Dallas String Quartet (aka) DSQ, return for some more great holiday music with “Deck The Halls” (released Nov 6th) from The Christmas Album EP, due out Nov 20th. This amazing single is part of the follow up to their holiday release of 2019, and the sheer musicianship of DSQ is remarkably outstanding and not at all what I expected to hear. This outfit have only been brought to my attention through this introduction, but if you like bands like Trans-Siberian Orchestra and others of that same ilk, as well as classical and holiday music played with contemporary proficiency they’re a must hear.
URL: https://www.dallasstringquartet.com/
First of all, I expected something a lot more traditional, and even though it is still traditional it is also refreshingly new as their own DSQ version almost transforms “Deck The Halls” into another dimension when it comes to the original piece of music. This has been done time and again but somehow, I have never heard this tune played so wonderfully in my life. The whole arrangement is over the top good with superior production/engineering, and an overall exuberance that is usually not felt by the average version. It takes you a step beyond the thought of the holidays.
Dallas String Quartet has performed for Presidents Obama and Bush and performed everywhere from The House Of Blues to symphony halls with Josh Grobin and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I wish I had heard them before, but they’ll be added to my holiday playlist after hearing “Deck The Halls” which lead me back to last year’s release and has me looking forward to new tracks from the forthcoming EP. I am also confident in saying DSQ and this rendition cannot be flawed, especially if you love cellos and percussion, it is a magnificent take on the song and most likely the best version around.
The string work is so intricate and beautiful, and the melody is already fantastic, so there’s much to enjoy about this instrumental version I was expecting words to dominate. Not with DSQ, it is more like a progressive rock/folk version of major exploration compared to the normal track arrangement, but it never veers too far from the whole point of the song. They just happen to get so much more out of it with a version anyone can listen to all year round, “Deck The Halls” by DSQ is that good because they took the time to remake a classic with integrity.
I am sure it is what they do best, but I was blown out of my seat, so why not admit how undeniably awesome the band and this version is for all it’s worth. Holiday music never sounded better to my ears, and I have been out to see TSO and I find DSQ to be on the same level after hearing them and it only makes me want to see them. Classical composer and violinist Ion Zanca, violinists Melissa Priller and Elinor Dunbar, along with bass player Young Heo, guitarist Anthony Plant and percussionist Efren Guzman Jr. all deserve credit for an epic serving.
Colin Jordan
