A Simple Christmas

by Richard Banks, Christmasreviews.com

     

Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming is a song I am not particularly fond of and whose title is completely mystifying. I mean, where's the verb here? But David Waldon brings such life and joy to this song, that I completely forget previous impression and bias. His gentle licks are like the night before Christmas, a few moments of tender sentiment amid the confusion of a harried world. Clearly, and with tender care, Waldon's A Simple Christmas, Traditional Carols on Guitar mixes up a mood tonic for the holidays. True to its title, Waldon mixes pure guitar with well-known traditional carols as he prepares his gentle elixir to relax and soothe those of us who both love and love to loathe the Christmas season. For example, the pathos of O Come O Come Emmanuel is rendered to perfection by his sentimental treatment. Likewise, What Child Is This. There are no other musicians credited, so I must report that David Waldon is able to pluck a lot of strings in quick succession. His style and skill will have you believing you are listening to more than one instrumentalist, in other words. Bottom line: if acoustic guitar music is your thing, Waldon's A Simple Christmas will make a great addition to your Holiday mellow mix.