Merry Axemas -- A Guitar Christmas

Merry Axemas -- A Guitar Christmas (1997/Sony) Rating--7.5

A project spearheaded by Steve Vai, this is a gathering of various rock guitarists playing their own renditions of Christmas classics. While the songs (obviously) have a guitar slant to them, they are still a bit laid-back and uninventive. A little more artistic creativity would have been nice.
Eric Johnson's "The First Nowell" is calm and pleasant, and the ever-creative swing sounds of Brian Setzer shine through in "Jingle Bells".
The intricate playing of Steve Morse brings "Joy to the World" alive, Joe Perry gives a bluesy, swagger-like effect to "Blue Christmas," and both "Cantique De Noel" and "Happy X-Mas" (the latter having a distorted pick-up) are good.
TRACK LIST: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Kenny Wayne Shepherd)/The First Nowell (Eric Johnson)/Amazing Grace (Jeff Beck)/Jingle Bells (Brian Setzer Orchestra)/Silent Night, Holy Night Jam (Joe Satriani)/Joy to the World (Steve Morse)/Christmas Time is Here (Steve Vai)/Blue Christmas (Joe Perry)/The Little Drummer Boy (Alex Lifeson)/Cantique De Noel [O' Holy Night] (Richie Sambora)/Happy X-Mas [War is Over] (Hotei)

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