Our Review
Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming is a song I am not particularly fond of and whose title is completely mystifying. I mean, where's the verb here? But David Waldon brings such life and joy to this song, that I completely forget previous impression and bias. His gentle licks are like the night before Christmas, a few moments of tender sentiment amid the confusion of a harried world.
Clearly, and with tender care, Waldon's A Simple Christmas, Traditional Carols on Guitar mixes up a mood tonic for the holidays. True to its title, Waldon mixes pure guitar with well-known traditional carols as he prepares his gentle elixir to relax and soothe those of us who both love and love to loathe the Christmas season. For example, the pathos of O Come O Come Emmanuel is rendered to perfection by his sentimental treatment. Likewise, What Child Is This.
There are no other musicians credited, so I must report that David Waldon is able to pluck a lot of strings in quick succession. His style and skill will have you believing you are listening to more than one instrumentalist, in other words.
Bottom line: if acoustic guitar music is your thing, Waldon's A Simple Christmas will make a great addition to your Holiday mellow mix.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2004)
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About the artist:
David Waldon toured (playing guitar and keyboards), recorded, and wrote songs with country artist Shelley Laine for two years during the period when she recorded 5 top 40 hits and was nominated for New Music Weekly female vocalist of the year. He played bass in the hard rock band Tripwagon, sang with the San Antonio and Sacramento Symphony Master Singers and with the Texas Bach Choir.
From the liner notes:
Twelve traditional carols proclaim the Joyous Christmas story with warmth, simplicity, and peace. These unique arrangements for one guitar were crafted lovingly over many years. A perfect backdrop for gatherings or for quiet reflections, this may well become one of your favorite Christmas albums.
David Waldon
A Simple Christmas,
Traditional Carols on Guitar
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Label: David Waldon
Length: 34 minutes
Genre: Folk
Release: 1999
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| O Come All Ye Faithful |
| Away in a Manger |
| What Child Is This |
| O Little Town of Bethlehem |
| We Three Kings |
| God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |
| Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming |
| It Came Upon a Midnight Clear |
| Silent Night |
| O Come O Come Emmanuel |
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
| Joy to the World |