Our Review
Acoustic guitar is such a perfect match for the holiday season, and El McMeen's The Soul of Christmas Guitar is one of the best. Unplugged guitars convey such warmth and wonder; the sound is richly textured and intimate, making the performance much more personal than with other instruments. When the acoustic guitar is in McMeen's skillful hands, the listening experience transcends to a higher plane. The music becomes soulful, almost spiritual.
Of course, there are many instrumental guitar albums for the Christmas season. The artist's talent, the song selection, the stylistic choices, and the arrangements distinguish a truly great offering from the rest. On The Soul of Christmas Guitar, the 12 tracks are largely ancient carols with a few surprises ("Go, Tell It on the Mountain" and "Sleepy Little Town" by Cori Connors), including two intensely lovely hymns ("Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" and "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"). McMeen's talent is absolutely remarkable; this is a cerebral, sensitive musician who brings great depth to his playing and to his innovative, intricately-layered arrangements. In terms of presentation, McMeen's style is gentle, sophisticated, and introspective. This is a truly great guitar offering.
When I started listening to The Soul of Christmas Guitar, it was way too early one Saturday morning, and I had a serious headache after a difficult week. As McMeen's elegant guitar strains rolled over me, the headache fell away, and I thought, "Now THIS is why I love reviewing holiday music!" I usually like to identify favorite tracks, but that's a struggle here because everything works so very, very well. That being said, Connors' original "Sleepy Little Town" is a sweet revelation, and the "First Noel/Go, Tell It on the Mountain" medley is a special delight.
Thank you, El McMeen, for delivering this wonderful treasure for the holidays. The Soul of Christmas Guitar is an uplifting seasonal experience!
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)
More
From the liner notes:
El McMeen, Solo Guitar
Produced by El McMeen and Marc Moss
All arrangements are by El McMeen
The soul and spirit of Christmas are profound and complex. Christmas connotes expectation, mystery, wonder, joy, foreboding (together with an element of sadness at the knowledge of the crucifixion), and ultimately redemption (the resurrection). Moreover, favoring instrumental arrangements over the familiar and powerful vocal tradition creates a challenge for the player and arranger. Perhaps that is why it took me nine CDs to find my voice in this soulful musical place.
I hope that my personal musical testimony by way of this CD provides an appropriate environment for you to appreciate and reflect on the meaning of Christmas for you and your family.
El McMeen
The Soul of Christmas Guitar
Artist link
Label: Piney Ridge Music
Length: 38 minutes
Genre: Acoustic
Release: 2004
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Angels We Have Heard on High |
| In the Bleak Midwinter |
| Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella |
| Away in a Manger |
| The First Nöel/Go, Tell It on the Mountain |
| Silent Night |
| What Child is This? (Greensleeves) |
| Once in Royal David's City/We Three Kings |
| Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus |
| Good King Wenceslas |
| Sleepy Little Town |
| Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence |