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Our Review

Canadian folkie Dave Gunning has crafted Christmas, a feel-good, cheery embrace for the holidays. This folk/pop album contains a warm heart, nostalgic favorites, and some fun surprises.

The artist is undoubtedly great with a guitar, but Gunning's vocals are the real deal here; he sings with the sincerity of a young James Taylor, except Gunning's approach is more down-home country. Joining Gunning here are some talented friends who mainly add percussion and lovely harmony vocals.

Gunning's own Do You Feel What I Feel is a nice twist on the traditional title Do You Hear What I Hear? (although the melody is wholly different). The song is all about feeling the enormous wash of holiday memories, distant and close, this time of year. The most popular cut (in Canada) is apparently Gunning's Daddy's Beer, a rollicking country ditty about "Santa" draining Daddy's beer instead of the milk and cookies that had been carefully left out. Daddy's pretty unhappy (not to mention hung over!) about the whole episode.

Apart from some cool originals, Gunning does a fine job of brightening traditional snoozers like Frosty The Snowman, pouring on fun percussion and guitar licks. I also enjoyed the earthy, simple Christmas Bells; Gunning makes magic in a stripped-down context. I similarly liked the minimalist delights of Gunning's soulful It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. Nice!

Although the album's name is unimaginative, the content is not. Dave Gunning is an excellent discovery, and his friendly, folk stylings on Christmas deserve a hug!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

Musician Credits:
Kris MacFarlane: Drums
Cathy Porter: Accordian and all kinds of interesting percussion parts throughout
Joe Butcher: Harmony vocals throughout the record and bass guitar on Daddy's Beer
Jamie Robinson: Electric/acoustic guitar, lap steel, harmony, piano, mandolin, additional percussion and programming
Dave: Vocals, harmony, acoustic guitar, stand-up and electric bass
Chip Hart: Drums on Daddy's Beer
Monte Good: Pedal steel on Daddy's Beer
Thanks to brother George for singing on Silent Night

Produced by Jamie Robinson


From the artist's Website:

Since debuting with "Lost Tracks" in 1997, Dave has proven he can find a song just about anywhere-in childhood memories, local legends and the everyday lives of those around him-and turn it into something profound, honest and deeply moving.

His ability to tell a story in song has resulted in six Music Nova Scotia Awards and three East Coast Music Awards (2008 Folk Recording, Male Artist of the Year for House For Sale, 2005 Folk Recording, Two-Bit World), rousing welcomes from crowds at festivals and venues on both sides of the Atlantic and the admiration of Canada's finest composers, a number of whom have become collaborators on "We're All Leaving."

Engaging and charismatic, Dave's magnetic gift of captivating audiences by creating a bond through down-to-earth details, homespun humour and seasoned musicianship will be in full display as he continues to tour in support of the latest chapter of a career heading for international recognition...

Dave Gunning

Christmas

Artist link

Track List