Track Listing

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
2. First Nowell - Angelic Voices of Faith, , Eric Johnson
3. Amazing Grace - Jeff Beck
4. Jingle Bells - Brian Setzer Orchestra
5. Silent Night/Holy Night Jam - Joe Satriani
6. Joy to the World - Steve Morse
7. Christmas Time Is Here - Steve Vai
8. Blue Christmas - Joe Perry
9. Little Drummer Boy - Alex Lifeson
10. Cantique de Noel (O' Holy Night) - Richie Sambora
11. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Radwan Hoteit

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46168 in Music
• Released on: 1997-10-14
• Number of discs: 1

Album Details
Guitar/metal Compilation Produced by Steve Vai. Japanese Release to Coantain an Exclusive Bonus Track.

Amazon.com
A tour de force of guitar players Steve Vai has known rock around the Christmas tree in this must-have Yuletide album. Vai, who began his career as a member of Frank Zappa's band and in more recent years has been David Lee Roth's partner in crime, transcends both roles by playing matchmaker between a few of our more inventive (albeit overlooked) guitar slingers and some of the best-loved Christmas carols. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's proboscis has never glowed quite so brightly as when Kenny Wayne Shepherd cranks up his guitar and takes us down an edgy blues journey. Eric Johnson's clear-as-a-Christmas-bell tones are a joy to listen to in his rendition of "The First Nowell." The standout, however, is Jeff Beck's haunting and emotional "Amazing Grace." --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews

No, Virginia, this isn't Windham Hill!
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

Rockin' around the Axemas tree
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!

Uneven
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.