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This Charlie Chamberlain is a very cool guy. All you need to know is that he originally recorded Christmas as a holiday gift for his mother. Seriously--enough said. Oh, and I suppose it is relevant that Charlie also happens to be a first-class guitarist who delivers eleven holiday numbers like a richly multi-layered Christmas cake, and it's all delicious. The multiple guitars are all Charlie, all the time.

Christmas projects a very immediate, intimate quality rarely found on holiday recordings. You have Charlie right there, sitting beside you in the living room, entertaining you with festive instrumentals. The effect is charming and refreshing. The artist's excellent Silent Night really caught my attention; the patterned plucking as the piece opens makes you feel snowflakes on your eyelids, and the whole package is quite extraordinary. I wish I could describe Charlie's guitar techniques using the appropriate musical terms of art; instead, I will assure you that he plucks, he strums, and his fingers fly with absolute confidence and precision. The styles shift to provide great balance and variety; sometimes, Charlie sounds old-time country, sometimes the fluorishes are distinctly Latin, and sometimes the music takes on a jazzy, improvisational bent. Jingle Bells is terrific, showing many sides, all joyful and fun. Understated cuts such as My Favorite Things and the White Christmas "Intro" and "Outro" also impress. With music this good, you want it to last forever. Sadly, these guitar strains grind to a halt after only 31 minutes.

Charlie Chamberlain's Christmas is an altogether tasty treat, even if it does leave you hungering for more. Enjoy!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)

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From the liner notes:

All Music Arranged, Performed and Produced by: Charlie Chamberlain

Charlie Chamberlain

Christmas

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Track List