Our Review
One can only approach Gregg Miner's music with awe and wonder. Not being content merely to collect exotic and vintage instruments, he made the decision to learn to play them all. Making a decision isn't as time-consuming as learning to play an instrument, and I wonder at the time he must have spent learning all of the dozens of "just plain unusual" instruments you will hear on this CD.
The music produced by Mr. Miner on these instruments is exquisitely flavorful. His Christmas interpretations are beautifully rendered and joyfully unique, with each instrument's signature adding something to the song on which it is used.
Perhaps because I love A Charlie Brown Christmas anyway, and because this is a wonderful interpretation and encapsulation of Vince Guaraldi's classic score, my favorite song on this CD is A Charlie Brown Christmas Medley, played on a Gibson harp-guitar. I also enjoyed the Ukrainian Bell Carol played, appropriately enough, on balalaika. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, performed on concert harp, is also quite appealing. All of the selections are enhanced by Mr. Miner's arrangements and choice of instruments.
Even without the use of exotics, Mr. Miner would have created a wonderful record; by including them, he has cooked up a rare holiday treat.
--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 1999)
No More
Gregg Miner
A Christmas Collection,
Volume One
Order from Amazon
Artist site
Label: Miner
Length: 38 minutes
Genre: Acoustic
Release: 1995
Track List
| Song Title |
|---|
| Winter Wonderland |
| Sleigh Ride |
| Ukrainian Bell Carol |
| Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring |
| I Saw Three Ships|Good King Wenceslas |
| Of the Father's Love Forgotten |
| What Child is This? (Greensleeves) |
| A Charlie Brown Christmas Medley |
| Jingle Bell Rock |
| Jingle Bells |
| O Tannenbaum |
| Still, Still, Still |
| Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isbella |
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas |