California Guitar Trio - A Christmas Album

Track Listing:

01. Carol of the Bells
02. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) (German)
03. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
04. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
05. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (English)
06. Unto Us a Child Is Born
07. Jingle Bells
08. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
09. Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
10. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)


Review:
Not that there is an abundance of progressive rock-tinged acoustic guitar trios among the ranks, but this aggregation stands tall among its peers as the guitarists' inventiveness surges forward with this altogether warmhearted reckoning of Christmas carols and other pleasantries. The guitarists' nimble yet at times forceful approach is wholly evident during their highly rhythmic spin on "Jingle Bells." They perform the classic "Greensleeves" with a sensitive, chamber-like approach while also tackling the Lennon/Ono favorite "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)." However, part of the magic resides within the trio's ability to delve into the inherent frameworks of each song, while also reformulating themes and rhythms into personalized statements. Essentially, the artists have produced a rather poignant Christmas outing, awash with interweaving lines and lilting harmonies, as they complement their superior artisanship and forward-thinking deployments with a cheerfully rendered collection of holiday favorites.