Guitar Christmas

by Jimmy Ponder

Overview

Jazz guitarist Jimmy Ponder attempts to take on several holiday standards on Guitar Christmas. His smooth, light approach is a nice touch, making these songs flow without overloading them with flashy playing. His rendition of Mel Torme's "Christmas Song" may be the best song on the album, a low-key version that emphasizes the heartfelt sentiment of the original. There are a few other good renditions, but the problem arises that many of these songs are quite long. Despite the classy approach to the material, songs like "Merry Christmas, Baby" do not maintain the listener's interest for seven minutes. Ponder is a fantastic guitarist, and this album is something that guitar jazz fans may really like, but unfortunately it will probably not translate to the average listener. ~ Bradley Torreano

Product Details

Release Date:	09/01/1998
Label:	Highnote Records
UPC:	0632375703424
Rank:	150960

Tracks

1. Jingle Bells
2. Frosty the Snowman
3. Do You Hear What I Hear?
4. Silent Night
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. We Three Kings
7. Merry Christmas, Baby
8. All I Want for Christmas Is You
9. The Christmas Song

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jimmy Ponder   Primary Artist,Guitar
Dwayne Dolphin   Guest Artist,Bass
Cecil Brooks III   Guest Artist,Drums
John Hicks   Guest Artist,Piano
Don Braden   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Dave Bjornson   Engineer,Engineer
Rudy Ray Moore   Composer
Noel Regney   Composer
George Heid   Assistant Engineer
John Henry Hopkins, Jr.   Composer
John Hopkins   Composer
Ralph Blane   Composer
Cecil Brooks III   Producer
Gloria Shayne Baker   Composer
Robert Wells   Composer
Dave Helland   Liner Notes
Steve Nelson   Composer
Johnny Moore   Composer
Hal Wilson   Design,Cover Art,Tray Photo,Photography,Digital Imaging
Leon X A Schleinger   Composer
Franz Gruber   Composer
James Pierpont   Composer
Lou Baxter   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Hugh Martin   Composer
Jimmy Ponder   Arranger,Composer
Jack Rollins   Composer
Joseph Mohr   Composer
Mel Torme   Composer