Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Paul Johnson - Christmas Guitars
 | Paul Johnson's impeccable and very endearing style are well suited to breathing new life into Christmas standards. This is a CD you can just put on and let cycle while company ooh's and ahh's your tree. It's as warm as your fireplace, and straight from Paul's heart. Multiple acoustic guitars play off ech other as only PJ seems able to do. He had help of varying kinds on various trackjs, but at the end of the day, it's Paul's glorious playing that makes the CD so very good. |
Picks: We Wish You A Merry Christmas, O Come, All Ye Faithful, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, White Christmas, Silent Night, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Do You Hear What I Hear, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Annunciation Medley, Jingle Bells, Nativity Medley, Deck The Halls, The Christmas Song, Jingle Bell Rock, Sleigh Ride, Carol Of The Bells, O, Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful Reprise, We Wish You A Merry Xmas Reprise
Track by Track Review
We Wish You A Merry Christmas Christmas (Instrumental)
Warm and playful, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" has a classical feeling and is just lovely. Superb!
Christmas (Instrumental)
The peace in Paul's heart swells from this wonderful rendering of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." It's formal, yet very open.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Christmas (Instrumental)
With a sort of folky underbelly, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" flows like a backtrack to a fireside scene. Quite lovely.
Christmas (Instrumental)
"White Christmas" uses a kind of cowboy rhythm behind it that sets it apart from all other versions. You can imagine cowboy Bob sitting fireside on a snowy Christmas on the range with the doggies. Very pretty.
Christmas (Instrumental)
The lovely interplay between lead and rhythm on "Silent Night" displays Paul's depth of faith. Just a guess, but I'd say that this flows right from his heart!
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Christmas (Instrumental)
The cowboy rhythm backing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" gives it a good time feeling that's a real grinner. Simply fun!
Christmas (Instrumental)
This is a soft and easy, if somewhat classical delivery of "Do You Hear What I Hear." It's very respectful.
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Christmas (Instrumental)
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" plays softly across the monitors with delicate precision and warmth. Very pretty!
Christmas (Instrumental)
"Annunciation Medley" is a celebration on acoustic guitars, with delicate precision and eyes-closed meditation.
Christmas (Instrumental)
A child's dream of Christmas is captured in "Jingle Bells." It's more mature than the child's dream, yet childlike in its innocence.
Christmas (Instrumental)
This is a bluesy medley of Christmas songs, played as if the manger was on Chicago's South side. Very cool.
Christmas (Instrumental)
One of the more joyous of the Christmas sings, "Deck The Halls" is dutifully celebrative and uplifting. The dueling guitars are harmonious and spread the joy across the aural plane.
Christmas (Instrumental)
A lovely and easy going rendition of "The Christmas Song" flows from the guitars like an after midnight waterfall under the tree. Very smooth.
Christmas (Instrumental)
Softened some from the Bobby Helms hit, "Jingle Bell Rock" becomes an easy flowing shuffle with a light heart.
Christmas (Instrumental)
Like a classical duet, the guitars intertwine with joy on this venerable Christmas song. "Sleigh Ride" is an easy rockin' tune with a gentle bundled up feeling.
Christmas (Instrumental)
Ultra soft and from the soul, "Carol Of The Bells" is like crystal snow viewed from the warmth of the hearth. Very nice.
Christmas (Instrumental)
Soft and lush, "O, Holy Night" flows gently across the evening with reverent peacefulness.
O Come All Ye Faithful Reprise Christmas (Instrumental)
This reprise of "O Come All Ye Faithful" is a delicate duet between two guitars in an almost classical mode.
We Wish You A Merry Xmas Reprise Christmas (Instrumental)
Like a minuet, "We Wish You A Merry Xmas Reprise" floats around the ballroom in delicate circles. Lovely.