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MERRY AXEMAS – A Guitar Christmas (1997 Sony)
Do you have a favourite Christmas album? Perhaps you need some Merry Axemas in your life. The first one, in particular.
I used to have an annual tradition of making a Christmas mix CD. I dropped it because after a while I ran out of good Christmas tracks. Something from Merry Axemas used to make the list every year. Not only are there great traditional songs, but also the finest guitar slingers in the world. For an album of (mostly) instrumentals, this one really rings the bells.
Louisiana blues rocker Kenny Wayne Shepherd gets things started with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Anyone on board with the blues should enjoy the solid jamming going on here! This isn’t for grandma. This is for guitar maniacs! Progressive stylist Eric Johnson has a beautiful “First Nowell”, on a classical and electric guitars with accompaniment. Grandma won’t mind this one at all, in fact she might want a copy for herself. The wizard of the wires, Jeff Beck, then presents his slide guitar version of “Amazing Grace” complete with choir. A different mix of elements, but not too hard to digest.
Not the version from this CD, which is instrumental
The Brian Setzer Orchestra comes out swingin’ with their instrumental “Jingle Bells”. If you ever needed reminding how awesome the former Stray Cat is on six strings, then check this out. Brian keeps it all accessible while simultaneously blowing off your nuts. The big band is icing on the cake. Joe Satriani is next up to the plate with an adventurous “Silent Night/Holy Night Jam”. This one is strictly for guitar-heads and players, as it’s more a Joe showpiece than anything else. Picture Joe circa Flying in a Blue Dream and you’re in the right place, but not very Christmas-y. This is the only song that has never made one of my annual Christmas mix CDs. Steve Morse’s “Joy to the World” is far more successful as far as the Christmas theme goes. Steve does do it his way, but at least you can tell which carol you’re listening to. If anyone can capture angelic Christmas guitar tones, it is Steve Morse.
How big can these names get? Try Steve Vai on for size. You might recall “Christmas Time is Here” from the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special. Vince Guaraldi made it popular for all ages, and Steve does a playful take on it, using his guitar like a voice. And the names keep getting bigger. Heard of Joe Perry before? The Aerosmith guitar hero does Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” as a Hawiian guitar instrumental which suddenly goes surf rock. Rush’s Alex Lifeson then brings “The Little Drummer Boy”, with a low-key and quiet instrumental.
“‘O Holy Night”, performed by Richie Sambora formerly of Bon Jovi, swings and just barely misses. It just doesn’t have that Christmas feel. The Japanese guitarist Hotei has the final track, John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”, which is actually a traditional that Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote lyrics to. He goes a little over the edge partway through, but it mostly maintains the right feel.
Here’s the great thing about Merry Axemas. Even if you don’t care for Christmas music, there is usually a need for it around, once a year. Merry Axemas, with some modest editing, could suit your needs. Don’t celebrate Christmas? No problem — if you’re a fan of these players (particularly Morse, Vai, Perry, and Johnson) then you’ll want to hear what they did with these tracks.
4/5 stars
I LOVE Merry Axemas 1&2 I wish they did or would do more!!!! I need to bust out my holiday stuff Halford, Setzer, Steve Ouimette, Hoeys album is ok….Sure you have lots more too?
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DUDE! I haven’t heard the Halford one. Always been scared to. How would you rate it?
Look for lots of Xmas content coming — Bon Jovi, Marillion and Twisted Sister are all set to post.
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its awesome. I think it might be the guitarist from Fight…Very shredder cool and musical a little over the top for the family playlist maybe but if you like axemas Id give it a shot..
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Love the Merry Axemas albums… I’d say I prefer the second one though. But both great.
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When I play them volume 1 is the one I enjoy most. BUT…Vol 2 has Nugent and his track is insane and easily tops anything on volume 1.
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Yes. His is great fun! Steve Stevens is pretty bonkers too. I did hear Volume 2 first so that probably influences things.
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Ah yes, cue the old Whitesnake discussion for the power of hearing something first!
Also there is the “grandma factor”. I’ve heard 2 less because it has fewer grandma-friendly tracks for my mix CDs.
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I heard your grandma was a big John Sykes fan though!
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Any love for the new Cheap Trick album Mike?
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Yes sir I heard it and thought it was great.
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My word. How good is Run Rudolph Run? Righteous. Their best album in forever. Glamtastic.
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I think I might like this one. I will keep an eye out for it. Thanks.
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Even if just for the Sambora track, there’s value here for you!
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This sounds worth a check out. My Christmas album is Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio’s “I am Santa Claus.” I also have a couple of self made compilation CDs for Christmas as well. Your offering is something different.
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Do you know who produced I Am Santa Claus?
Kelly Gray of Queensryche.
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No I didn’t know that! He did a great job though.
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I am a sucker for Christmas music so this sounds perfect for me.
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Hope you enjoy! I’ll have lots more Xmas music this month.
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I know most of those names, and love their playing. But Christmas music? maaaaaaan…
Haha this does look cool, nevertheless!
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I think it’s a Steve Vai brainchild. You can always count on him for something weird!
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I dig it, it’s just that Christmas music does not make me festive. Maybe wailing guitars would help? I dunno.
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It’s a wobbly line. I don’t listen to this stuff any other time of year. I love Steve Vai but I have no desire to hear that tune while I’m sunbathing in July. LOL
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Context and timing, definitely. For me, the timing is pretty much never though! ;)
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I haven’t heard of these, but I need some new Christmas music… guess I’m gonna have to look for these!
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Stay tuned, I might have a couple more for you!
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I haven’t heard of this either and it seems interesting!
Love blues and saw Kenny Wayne Shepherd, he’s phenomenal.
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Oh I’m jealous that you saw Kenny Wayne. He’s phenomenal!
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Anytime you get the opportunity, I highly recommend it!
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I’ve slowed down on the Yule tunes but I would grab this one. Setzer sets the tone. Love that guys playing. Good one.
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He’s so good. I’m taking a break on the Yule tunes as well. I have a couple more reviews in the pipe, but one is for a Christmas album that has no Christmas songs :)
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That’s like the cheese shop in a Monty Python skit.
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I’m glad you brought up Setzer’s guitar work – my dad was praising him recently, surprised that he never shows up on ‘best guitarists’ lists.
Now, he did use a slightly different description than yours!
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God he’s so good he makes my fingers hurt. And you’re right, he doesn’t. Maybe because the music he plays is considered archaic?
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