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Our Review

Lovely, lovely, lovely! Enjoy solo guitar of the acoustic variety? Then Georgian Keith Gehle is quite likely your cup of tea. This classically-trained guitarist wholly owns the instrument, making the warm and exquisite voice an extension of himself. On Songs of December, Gehle delivers a delicate bouquet of 15 holiday numbers, a pleasing balance of ancient carols and new age numbers. The two Gehle originals, including the opening Thanksgiving Day, are vibrant odes that whole-heartedly embrace the season.

It is an unabashed pleasure to kick back and absorb Songs of December. Gehle's execution and production values are superb; the musicianship is outstanding, and each note shimmers in the air. The tempo is relatively slow, and the mood is contemplative, but never morose. I particular enjoyed O Holy Night, the album's longest track (5:07) and lavish in its simplicity. His Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is sumptuous (one of the best renditions I have heard). The closing spiritual Sweet Little Jesus Boy provided a most gentle farewell to an excellent offering.

Guitar aficionados should take a hard look at this intensely beautiful album. Thank you, Keith Gehle--your Songs of December provided nearly 45 minutes of peaceful bliss on a blustery November afternoon.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Arrangements and traditional songs by Keith Gehle.
Recording engineered and mixed by Keith Gehle.
Recording mastered by Glenn Schick Mastering, Atlanta, Georgia.
Guitar built by Kent Everett, Atlanta, Georgia.
Cover painting by Jim Gensheer, Augusta, Georgia.

Keith Gehle

Songs of December

Artist link

Track List