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Guitarist Gregg Hansen is one-half of the Celtic music duo Peace & Love & Jigs & Reels; the other half is Cynthia Jaffe, who contributes her flutes/whistles to three tracks on Hansen's holiday offering, The Six Strings of Christmas. The focus here, as the album's title suggests, is acoustic guitar, and Hansen's unique approach is a very distinct, intentional, finger-style delivery, making every note resonate. This creates the impression that his instrument is almost "singing" the well-familiar lyrics; each pluck carries shape and expression.

The Six Strings of Christmas provides dandy curled-up-in-front-of-the-fireplace music; the album is spirited, but relaxing. The tracks that include Jaffe's flutes/whistles naturally carry the strongest Celtic influence; otherwise, the music is creatively-crafted, unadulterated acoustic guitar artistry. Nice!

The opening Jingle Bells greets listeners with plucked "bells", and the following Silver Bells conveys a rolling, mildly country feel. The rollicking, feel-good Holiday Set, packed with four separate tunes, is a genuine toe-tapper charged with speed and enthusiasm. In contrast, Silent Night is presented with very deliberate, reverent, slow-tempo stylings. The Little Drummer Boy benefits from fun, percussive flourishes, in addition to Jaffe's flute-playing. In other words, The Six Strings of Christmas travels beyond the guitar, although the guitar-plucking is first rate. The mix of music and approach gives the album fine balance and easy-on-the-ears listenability.

Gregg Hansen's The Six Strings of Christmas is a lovely addition to guitar instrumentals for the holidays. Its peaceful, yet cheery, message should be welcomed by a broad audience of Christmas music afficionados. The album certainly brightened my otherwise dreary October afternoon in Minnesota!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Gregg Hansen: guitar, percussion (bendir, riq, dumbek, djembe)

Cynthia Jaffe: Irish flute, penny whistles, alto flute (4,7,10)

All guitar arrangements by Gregg Hansen and Darren Skanson.
All flute arrangements by Cynthia Jaffe.

Produced by Darren Skanson.

Right here in your home, by the hearth, kindling a tradition of centuries past, Gregg Hansen and his six-string guitar invite you to warm yourself by the fire of timeless music from the Christmas holiday season.

In this collection of holiday classics Gregg pays tribute to his favorite seasonal melodies spanning twelve centuries and two continents, drawing from the Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, English, and American cultures.

While Celtic finger-style guitar is the influence of Hansen's renditions--jazz, blues, gospel, rock and even country ring through as well. His musical partner Cynthia Jaffe, from their Celtic duo, Peace & Love & Jigs & Reels, joins in for three tunes on flutes and whistles. Her treatment of Drummer Boy and Auld Lang Syne are absolutely stunning.



From the Website:

Gregg Hansen -- acoustic guitar, hand percussion, vocals. Gregg has been performing Celtic guitar styles for over a decade. A lifelong professional musician, Gregg has engaged in many international styles of guitar and percussion. Throughout the 90's, Gregg recorded and performed with Tennessee-based Celtic ensembles "Planet Reel" and "Different Folks." Gregg has two solo guitar albums highlighting his Celtic finger-picking style as well, and contributes his love of storytelling and humor to... performances.

"The Six Strings of Christmas" celebrates twelve centuries of holiday favorites.

Gregg Hansen

The Six Strings of Christmas

Artist link

Track List