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Our Review

Steve Kritzer really knows his way around a mandolin--and guitars and recorders, for that matter. He does it all on Mandolin Christmas, a lovely mix of almost entirely traditional Christmas music.

The CD has 17 tracks, and all (but one) are familiar tunes (including one Chanukah song) done as acoustic instrumentals. In most, the artist plays the mandolin alone, which provides a bright and spirited voice for the holiday classics. His fingerwork is most impressive. On other tracks, he adds layers of guitar and/or recorders, and the blend works on every level. The warmer, deeper guitar tones provide a nice counterpoint to the mandolin, and the recorders flow around and above the rest. The arrangement of Lo How a Rose, the traditional German carol, sounds fresh and alive in Kritzer's capable hands. The Coventry Carol/Greensleeves medley is another favorite here.

The final cut is the only original composition and the only track featuring vocals. Penned by Kritzer (with K.E. Elliot), Giving Your Love Away is a wonderful piece expressing the sentiment that the unselfish gift of love provides the holiday's true meaning. The artist's warm, folksy voice is reminiscent of Gordon Lightfoot; listening to Giving Your Love Away made me wish that Kritzer would create a second holiday album to showcase his vocal talents.

One production oddity is worth noting. Although the CD lists 17 songs, one track appears twice. On my CD, Silver Bells is missing at #5; instead, the Come All Ye Faithful/Hark the Herald Angels Sing medley appears as both #5 and #7.

Steve Kritzer's CD is a fine companion for dark winter nights. The music is welcoming, and the musicianship is undeniable. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

"I offer you some of my very favorite melodies and songs from one of my very favorite holidays (besides Thanksgiving, for which there doesn't seem to be an abundance of music) played on one of my very favorite instruments-the Mandolin (with a little help from guitar and recorder)."

"I hope this music transports you from the franticness of shopping malls and deadlines, to a simpler time of listening to, or playing, music by a fire on a cold Winter's night with family and friends." --Steve Kritzer

From Steve Kritzer's promotional flyer:

"Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, producer, studio musician and band member, Steve Kritzer wears many 'hats', and wears them well, making him one of the true rising stars in the Folk and acoustic music world. An award winning songwriter (finalist at the Kerrville and Napa Valley Folk festivals), Steve is a regular mainstage performer at the Cork and Belfast Folk Festivals in Ireland, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee, the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and many points in between. Steve is gaining fans worldwide for his incredibly polished yet personal performances, fiery instrumental work, and award winning 'touch your heart' songs."

"A man of many musics, Kritzer is as comfortable with Celtic and bluegrass music as he is with traditional folk, country, rock, and big band swing, blending these influences with his own ideas and amazingly diverse musical talents."

"During any set, either with his top-notch band, or solo, Kritzer's hands are likely to play just about every instrument imaginable. He is equally at home on guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle or piano, and his warm evocative voice has been compared to Gordon Lightfoot, Don Maclean, even Lyle Lovett, yet is uniquely his own."

Steve Kritzer

Mandolin Christmas

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Track List