California Guitar Trio

California Guitar Trio

A Christmas Album

2002

Review
by Glenn Astarita

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.



1 Carol of the Bells
2 Oh Christmas Tree
3 Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)
4 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
6 "Unto Us a Child Is Born"
7 Jingle Bells
8 Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
9 Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
10 Silent Night

http://rapidshare.com/files/72792561/California_Guitar_Trio_-_Christmas_Album.rar

Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Gary Hoey

Ho! Ho! Hoey

1995

Review
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
It's a little strange for a cult figure like Gary Hoey to release a holiday album so early in his career, but Ho Ho Hoey is a surprising Christmas album. Hoey certainly uses the opportunity to showcase his stunning technique, but he also decides to play musically, creating a true rarity -- a virtuosic instrumental rock album that will appeal to a wide audience, not just guitar fetishists.

1 The Twelve Days of Christmas
2 Redolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3 Away in a Manger
4 Jingle Bells
5 God Rest
6 Blue Christmas
7 O Come All Ye Faithful
8 White Christmas
9 The Little Drummer Boy
10 Silent Night
11 Auld Lang Syne

http://rapidshare.com/files/72784318/Gary_Hoey_-_Ho__Ho__Hoey___Vol_1.rar

Ho, Ho Ho Again

Gary Hoey

Ho! Ho! Hoey Vol 2

1997

Ho Ho Hoey became a surprise hit upon its 1995 release, so it made sense that Gary Hoey would follow it in 1997 with Ho Ho Hoey 2. What's surprising is that this second collection -- featuring such staples as "Deck the Halls," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Frosty the Snowman" and "Feliz Navidad" -- is just as engaging as the first, functioning as both a charming holiday album and a technical tour de force.


1 Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
2 You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
3 Frosty the Snowman
4 Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
5 The Christmas Song
6 Winter Wonderland
7 Greensleeves
8 Feliz Navidad
9 Deck the Halls
10 Ho! Ho! Hoey
11 I'll Be Home for Christmas

http://rapidshare.com/files/72788172/Gary_Hoey_-_Ho__Ho__Hoey___Vol_2.rar

More Axemas For You!

Merry Axemas Vol 2 More Guitars For Christmas

1998

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Like its predecessor, Merry Axemas, Vol. 2: More Guitars for Christmas contains an abundence of clever, surprising instrumental interpretations of classic Christmas carols and tunes. Virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai has rounded up an impressive lineup of guitarists -- including Robin Trower, Zakk Wylde, Neal Schon, Al DiMeola, Steve Lukather, Stu Hamm, Steve Stevens and Trevor Rabin -- all of whom contribute distinctive, unpredictable variations of well-known standards. There are some moments that fall flat -- at this stage in the game, Ted Nugent inevitably sounds like a hack -- but overall, Merry Axemas is an enjoyable album that should satisfy most guitar fiends.



1 The Christmas Song Steve Lukather
2 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Neal Schon
3 Do You Hear What I Hear? Steve Stevens
4 Sleigh Ride Stuart Hamm
5 O Come All Ye Faithful Trevor Rabin
6 White Christmas Zakk Wylde
7 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen John Sykes
8 O Little Town of Bethlehem Robin Trower
9 Carol of the Bells De Meola, Al
10 Deck the Halls Ted Nugent

http://rapidshare.com/files/173375391/Merry_Axemas_-_Vol_2_-_More_Guitars_For_Christmas.rar

Ain't That A Kick In The Axe

Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas

1997

Review by Robert Taylor

The variety of Holdiay music has improved dramatically over the years and every 'type' of music seems to have jumped on the bandwagon. Not only are there Holiday Rock recordings, but now there are Holiday Guitar Rock recordings. While the music here is a mixed bag, it turns out to be a refreshing change from the contrived offerings that other Rock artists have produced. Kenny Wayne Shepherd kicks things off with a rousing version of "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," while Eric Johnson proves to be the most technically proficient of the players assembled here. There are other strong offerings from Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Brian Setzer. However, the performances turned in by Joe Perry, Richie Sambora and Hotei do not measure up. Despite the uneven moments, this is worth picking for anyone who truly needs to rock around the Christmas tree.




1 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Shepherd, Kenny Wayne
2 The First Nowell Eric Johnson
3 Amazing Grace Jeff Beck
4 Jingle Bells Setzer, Brian Orchestra
5 Silent Night/Holy Night Jam Joe Satriani
6 Joy to the World Steve Morse
7 Christmas Time Is Here Steve Vai
8 Blue Christmas Joe Perry
9 The Little Drummer Boy Alex Lifeson
10 Cantique de Noel (O' Holy Night) Richie Sambora
11 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Hotei

http://rapidshare.com/files/173357521/Merry_Axemas_-_Vol_1_-_A_Guitar_Christmas.rar

What A Better Way To Start The Holiday Season!

Los Straitjackets

'Tis The Season For Los Straitjackets

2002

Review
by Mark Deming
If you're looking for someone to help you share the joy and magic of the holiday season, who better than the world's leading masked instrumental surf band? Los Straitjackets don't offer up a whole lot of surprises on 'Tis the Season for los Straitjackets!, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing; Eddie Angel and Danny Amis serve up lots of tasty guitar work, and Pete Curry and Jimmy Lester are one solid rhythm section, just as they've always been, and on these 13 tunes (11 covers and two originals) the lucha libre-obsessed guitar wranglers show off the smarts, humor, and sterling chops that have become their trademark. The "La Bamba"-accented "Feliz Navidad," a version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" which channels the spirit of the Chantays, and the Ventures tribute of "Sleigh Ride" are highlights, and while this album will go over best with those who thrive on retro cool, this should send your next Christmas party into a state of dance fever with anyone who appreciates the era of enjoyable AM radio. How's the surf at the North Pole these days, anyway?



1 Here Comes Santa Claus
2 A Marshmallow World
3 Feliz Navidad
4 Jingle Bell Rock
5 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
6 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7 Frosty the Snowman
8 Christmas in Las Vegas
9 Let It Snow
10 Sleigh Ride
11 Christmas Weekend
12 The Little Drummer Boy
13 The Christmas Song

http://rapidshare.com/files/72789515/_Los_Straitjackets_-_Tis_the_Season_for.rar