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Another cool Canadian? Wow--I have just completed three early-morning reviews, all music by intensely talented "Up North" musicians. Impressive!

Kevin Ramessar is an exquisitely gifted guitarist; his classical and fingerstyle abilities on his instrumental Acoustic Christmas are undeniably outstanding. The offering presents an excellent seasonal collection of familiar music made magically new under Ramessar's contemplative, creative arrangements and his fantastic fingerwork.

Some guitarists make a statement through razzle-dazzle, high-speed pyrotechnics; Ramessar needs none of that. Although I have no doubt that he has the dexterity to perform at the speed of light, Ramessar's artistry here is the more mellow, thoughtful variety. And in the freezing, pre-dawn hours of late November, the warm and passionate expression of Ramessar's guitar gifts is extraordinarily rewarding. Honestly, this is music you could listen to for hours and hours without ever tiring of the delivery. Unfortunately, Acoustic Christmas cuts short the rapture after only 38 minutes (sigh).

The recording quality is outstanding, and that's especially important for an artist who makes such good use of expressive pauses while he plays. Each note hangs in the air, fully developed and beautiful to behold.

I love every cut on the CD, but must profess my undying affection for Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming, always one of my personal favorites. Ramessar executes the number with rare delicacy--excellent! In fact, the Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring/What Child Is This?/Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming trilogy provides 11 minutes of Nirvana, and I definitely do not mean the rock band.

So if you embrace guitar instrumentals this time of year, Kevin Ramessar's truly wonderful Acoustic Christmas should fly to the top of your holiday music list. It's a keeper.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Engineering, Editing, Mixing: Don Ross
Mastering: George Graves, Lacquer Channel Mastering
Graphic Design & Layout: Jeanette Obbink, Studio Blueprint
Photography: Ray Nikyuluw
Pre-press, Printing & Manufacturing: Studio-A-Mirador
Arrangements by Kevin Ramessar
Produced by Kellylee Evans & Kevin Ramessar
Executive Producer: Kellylee Evans, Enliven! Media


From the Website:

A two-time winner of First Place for guitar at the Canadian Music Competitions, Kevin Ramessar has delighted listeners and critics with music that is "passionate," "beautifully contemplative," "lyrical," and "entirely satisfying" (Kevin McMillan, Wholenote Magazine; Howard Dyck, The Record).

Equally at home playing an intricate solo fugue by Bach, creating stirring world beats and sitar-like melodies, singing an intimate ballad or wailing on a powerful original rock anthem, Kevin has a history of moving audiences. As one reviewer puts it, it was one of the most captivating evenings I can remember. (Harry Currie, The Kitchener Record). His solo classical and jazz playing is hailed by critics as evocative (WholeNote Magazine) and marvellous (Tom Allen, CBCs Music & Co.), while the sound he creates with his band is reminiscent of Jesse Cook and the Dave Matthews Band, among others.

Kevin Ramessar

Acoustic Christmas

Artist link

Track List