Customer Reviews

Merry Axemas

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, I guess the title and cover art are sufficient warning, but this is a truly wild, over the edge guitar treatment of Christmas music, and I wouldn't bring this CD with you for Christmas dinner with Aunt Minnie or Uncle Joe.

But if you are into this style of guitar, you'll love this. It may well be the one and only Christmas album you have, and the sheer dissonant, loud energy of most of the CD might well upset traditionalists. But this is Christmas as expressed from the perception of the guitarists, and therefore is more than legitimate. Standouts? "Joy To The World" was my personal favorite. Poor Rudolph practically gets slaughtered in the first cut, but I don't say that in a mean spirit. This entire CD is for those who relish the sheer sound, fury, and energy, and yes, the innovation of this style of guitar.

But don't expect Windham Hill. LOL

You know how it always seems like they start playing Christmas music WAY too early and by the time Christmas actually gets here you're actually sick of Christmas music? Well, this will be the exception. In my opinion the absolute centerpiece of this CD is Steve Vai's exquisite rendition of "Christmas Time is Here". I just crank it up as loud as I can and close my eyes. Suddenly, I'm ice skating with Snoopy and Woodstock on a frozen pond in the moonlight. Beautiful! This track is so completely gorgeous it sends chills up my spine. Eric Johnson does a wonderful job with "The First Nowell" and I also love Steve Morse's "Joy to the World". I am a big Joe Satriani fan, however, I didn't much care for "Silent Night Holy Night Jam". Sorry, Satch. Although I very much liked Jeff Beck's "Amazing Grace", I thought it a little out of place on a Christmas CD. The Brian Setzer Orchestra & Joe Perry keep you rockin' around your Christmas tree with their rollicking versions of "Jingle Bells" and "Blue Christmas", respectively. A great way to make Christmas last all year long!

This CD is a great one for chirstmas time. I very much look forward to listening to this every year.

I agree with others that Jeff Beck's "Amazing Grace" is the best tune on the record. It is really worth the five stars alone. No one can compare to the skill and emotion of Jeff Beck.

Steve Morse's "Joy to the World" is also very nice. Eric Johnson's "First Noel" and Shepard's "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer" are amongst the best on the CD.

Why I give it 4 stars, however, is because a few of the songs are duds. Joe Perry's Blue Christmas is more humourous then it is a pleasure to listen to. Satch starts off with a nice Silent Night, but the 7 minute jam is a little much. Don't get me wrong, it's still a pretty good tune. Hotei's tune may be a Christmas tune but it seems out of place.

However, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, and Steve Morse are three really good reasons to buy this.

What an absolutely fantastic album. It's so good that I have had to buy it three times, as the other two CDs mysteriously "vanished". Oh well, if I had low morals, I'd steal this, too. The mood of this album vascillates, as it starts off full swing in the holiday spirit, with a pretty literal version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. But my favourite track is Eric Johnson's "First Nowell". I'm a wee bit biased, as I think he is the greatest modern guitarist. But it truly is an extraordinary composition. It is in fact quite intricate, and he manages to incorporate his own flavour into the melody without destroying the structure of the piece. Which cannot be said for Joe Satriani's "Silent Night", which goes on a tangent of accousitcally illegible meanderings. Joe Perry does a fantastic job with "Blue Christmas". It is almost two songs, the first an homage to the classic version, with almost an Hawaiian tiki feel, and then he rips off the leis and the hawaiian shirt, and shows that underneath he has black leather pants and a ripped t-shirt and absolutely shreds it. I knew my 90 year old grandmother would like the first part of the song, and then the second part came on, and she said "Oh, my". Hilarious. Alot of the songs take you by surprise that these heavy metal guitarists can be so expressive. Kind of gives you a new insight. Who knew that Ritchie Sambora could be so eloquent? It ends perfectly, with Hotei's version of "So This Is Christmas". Like alot of the other reviewers, I listen to this year round, and this album is my absolute favourite "holiday" compilation. Buy it, if you don't like it, sell it to me, as someone will invariably steal my third CD of this album.

I found Alex Lifeson's (Rush) acoustic "The Little Drummer Boy" to be the most strong, moving, beautiful cover on this CD. Alex's deep, tonal guitar work dances in step with the rest of the music, swirling into a full crescendo of grace and power at the end. Utilizing his home studio for this project, he incorporates the sound of bells at the end that says 'holiday' music much more eloquently than just some shaken jingle bells...something I suspect some artists think they can do to a song to make it a holiday tune.

The song is poignant and touching, not only as one recalls the words that speak of the greatness of giving gifts from the heart, but because according to the date of the release of this CD: October 1997. I do not know the timeframe that the artists on this CD had to submit work, but Alex may have been writing this just after the tragic death of the daughter of his band mate Neil Peart. So, I wonder if the subject of the song (a drummer) had anything to do with his choice, and its saturated emotional quality of hope and longing.

Eric Johnson's "The First Noel" is definitely worth a mention. This song glistens with sweet holiday sparkle, and like Alex's "The Little Drummer Boy", works nicely with all of my other holiday 'house' music.

Both of these songs feature the guitar, but not at the expense of the song. The other songs on the CD are very nicely done, but some artists have showy solos in the songs, which I don't care for because it's as if they're saying `whee, lookit me!', but if this is what you like then you'll love it!

Great CD, but I must disagree with the assessments of others that Beck's "Amazing Grace" is the highlight. Fine work, mind you, but NOT the finest cut. That distinction goes to Eric Johnson; his rendition of "The First Noel" is nothing short of spectacular. Tasteful, melodic, true to the spirit of the song; absolutely a gorgeous piece of arranging and splendid musicianship. For that cut alone (the others are WELL worth hearing, too), this is a "must have" CD for any guitarist or fan of guitar music.

The talent on this disc dictates that it should be much better then it is. While the first 6 cuts are decent, the album becomes very weak toward the end. The Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck , and Kenny Wayne Shepherd tunes are the highlights. Satriani's "Silent Night" begins and ends with the familiar melody, but morphs into a 7 minute metal blast of madd riffs --fun but not really consistant with the spirit of the CD. Joe Perry, Alex Lifeson, Ritchie Sambora ,and Hotei are way out of place.

Eleven guitar heroes join together to cover Christmas tunes in their own personal way. This gives a rockin' twist to the standards. From the first few notes from Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" you'll now that you're in for melodic delight. Everyone is here from Steve Vai, Satch, Beck, EJ and the BSO.

Highlights include "The First Nowell" from Eric Johnson. He starts us off with an acoustic rendition before stepping over to his electric guitar and wowing us with his fancy finger work, but nothing so flashy as to take away from the original work. As always, EJ's tone is right on and after a couple of his patented licks and runs he turns the tune into his own. The Brian Setzer Orchestra rocks Christmas with a swinging version of "Jingle Bells". The horns blare, and Brian gives us that Rockabilly fell on his Gretch. After checking out this upbeat tune you'll never know how it could have been any other way. Hotei comes in with a good rendition of Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". Jeff Beck gives a haunting performance on "Amazing Grace" pulling out his trademark bends, dives and swells. His take is very beautiful and fitting to more than just Christmas.

For anyone looking for a little less traditional take on Christmas music, or if you're a guitar junky, don't miss celebrating Christmas without this axe-ful album. You may even have to spin this disc in July.

This is a relatively unheralded Christmas album that deserves wider recognition. Many exciting tracks, but, oh my, Jeff Beck's performance of Amazing Grace is worth the price alone. An absolutely stunning piece of music. One of Beck's finest efforts.

For those who loves interesting guitar arrangements, this is for you! All tracks are rich in details and technique (if you don't believe me, just take a look to the musicians there). I'm quite impressed with the participation of Eric Johnson, the 'Master of Tones', who demonstrates here he's not only a marvelous guitarist, but a great MUSICIAN too.