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OK, I have never met Sam Anderson, but I am almost entirely certain that I would really like this guy. First off, he proudly displays a scruffy beard and mustache (as does my scruffy husband). Appearances, of course, are far from conclusive, but they do indicate something about a fellow's comfort level with just being natural. And natural is what Sam Anderson is all about. His Acoustic Christmas is a homespun guitar wonder, providing traditional holiday favorites creatively arranged and strummed in an 1842 rural cabin overlooking a pond in South Carolina. I do not know if the family homestead has a fireplace, but I can certainly visualize a curl of smoke rising from the chimney as the winter winds howl around what Anderson cheerfully describes as "the Shack." Anderson also likes dogs, and that's another plus.

Happily, regardless of how colorful or colorless your own abode, you can bring a little old-time "Shack" into your home for the holidays. Anderson's a splendid guitarist, and he puts considerable love and heart into each track. The recording quality is wonderful--not sterile, but clean and clear. I do, however, have some beefs with this album. First, it's too darn short, winding to a close after only 32 minutes. Second, the overall numbers don't add up. On the album cover, Anderson promises "16 traditional favorites," but on the back, he lists only 14 cuts, omitting Rock of Ages and Go Tell It on the Mountain. In fact, although the artist does present 16 terrific carols, post-production errors resulted in missed marks; this means that the track list on my player does not cleanly match the songs on board. This sort of screwiness brings to mind my wonderful son, who is supremely talented, but occasionally messes up the details. This may all relate to that scruffy facial hair thing.

Acoustic Christmas is a sweet little instrumental album for the holiday season. Despite the math aberration noted above, this offering adds up in other important ways that matter more this time of year. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Recorded in a cabin by a pond, Old Barker's Creek, South Carolina
Solo Acoustic Guitar: Sam Anderson

These 16 traditional Christmas classics were recorded in my rural cabin home (better known as "the Shack") overlooking a five-acre pond on my great-great grandparents' 1842 homestead in the upstate of South Carolina (which should help explain the occasional background noises).

I played my Taylor 814C and used two borrowed microphones. The purpose was to capture the casualness that often escapes modern studio recordings and hope that it sounds as if I'm sitting on your sofa. . . which, by the way, I'd be happy to do. Seriously! (Contact me for a House Concert.)

I'd like to thank my family and the good friends I've met along the way. Enjoy the music, have a great holiday and spend more time with your dog!

Sam Anderson

Acoustic Christmas

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Track List