Our Review
Let's be honest. There are hundreds of guitar instrumentals for the holidays, and many of the albums are quite good. Some players simply pick up a guitar and record an impromptu concert in a few hours' time, and there is a certain quaint charm to such spontaneity. This album, on the other hand, screams professionalism in every sense of the word. Award-winning guitarist Mark Hanson's Yuletide Guitar rises like cream to the top of an impressive crop of holiday contenders. His album is technically excellent, has tremendous balance in song selection, reflects flawless musicianship, and demonstrates rich complexity and passion in every finger-pluckin' moment.
My travels through Yuletide Guitar were scenic and rewarding, with impressive landscapes at every turn. What variety! Everything from Boogie Woogie Jingle Bells to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and Rudolf to In the Bleak Midwinter! The styles are diverse, covering classical, folk, jazz, and bluegrass. Hanson's warmly precise fingerstyle fluidly translates a broad array of holiday numbers into breathtaking beauty. Although everything is grand, the showpiece is What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), the longest track and one of two songs incorporating exquisite flute (David Lee Ross). The piece opens as a stately chamber ensemble before morphing into rollicking jazz improvisation. Excellent! I loved every moment of this album from start to finish.
Simply put, Mark Hanson's Yuletide Guitar is an absolute joy, and those who enjoy well-executed holiday instrumentals should run, not walk, to bring this little gem home. Thanks, Mark, for the fine trip.
--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)
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From the liner notes:
Mark Hanson, guitars
David Lee Ross, flute
All arrangements by Mark Hanson, Accent on Music
Produced by Hanson & Greta
Fingerstyle Noel, a transcription book of much of the guitar music on this recording, is available through your local music retailer (distributed by Music Sales Corp., New York, NY), or through Accent on Music.
Mark Hanson
Yuletide Guitar
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Label: Accent on Music
Length: 42 minutes
Genre: Acoustic
Release: 1995
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |
| Boogie Woogie Jingle Bells |
| O Come, O Come, Emmanuel |
| What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) |
| The Christmas Song |
| Christmas Medley |
| Rudolf |
| In the Bleak Midwinter |
| Winter Wonderland |
| Carol of the Bells |
| We Wish You a Merry Christmas |
| White Christmas |
| Silent Night |