Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas

1	Jingle Bell Rock / Ozzie Kotani Instrumental 3:01
2	Joy To The World / Moses Kahumkou Instrumental 2:13
3	Silver Bells / Led Kaapana Instrumental 4:13
4	Away in a Manger / Keola Beamer Instrumental 4:00
5	Mele Kalikimaka la Oe / George Kuo Merry Christmas to You / Instrumental 5:33
6	My Hawaiian Christmas / Dennis Kamakahi Vocal Version 4:12
7	Jingle Bells / Led Kaapana Instrumental 1:56
8	Winter Wonderland / Cindy Combs Instrumental 1:55
9	The First Noel / Ozzie Kotani Instrumental 5:19
10	O Come All Ye Faithful / James Bla Pahinui Instrumental 3:40
11	Holy, Holy, Holy / George Kahumoku Instrumental 3:54
12	We Wish You Merry Christmas / Leonard Kwan Vocal Version 3:18
13	O Holy Night / Joanie Komatsu Vocal Version 5:23
14	Auld lang Syne / Cyril Pahinui Instrumental 3:02

Barnes & Noble

Pianist-composer George Winston founded Dancing Cat Records specifically to feature the slack key guitarists of Hawaii. The slack key style generally involves tuning down the lower strings and assigning the bass line to the thumb while the other fingers pick fancy melodies. Fourteen of the genre's finest players are showcased here, rendering some of the world's prettiest Christmas carols in unique "island" fashion. The lively swing on Ozzie Kotani's "Jingle Bell Rock" provides the perfect spark for making the holidays glow. Moses Kahumoku finds a softer sound with his nylon-string guitar on "Joy to the World"; his variations on this classic theme are truly spectacular. Led Kaapana conjures up magical chime effects on "Silver Bells" by striking high harmonic overtones on his strings. Keola Beamer plays a pensive "Away in a Manger" on two overdubbed guitars; his percussive knuckling on the guitar body grants the piece some rhythmic accent. Then there are two native Hawaiian Christmas songs with a lovely hula sway: the instrumental "Mele Kalikimaka la 'Oe" played by George Kua and "My Hawaiian Christmas" sung by Dennis Kamakahi. Probably the juiciest cut of all, though, is the chestnut "Jingle Bells" by Led Kaapana and Bob Brozman; their spontaneous guitar duel is a total delight. Although this music may not conjure much in the way of snowfalls and crystalline nights, it lends plenty of that aloha spirit to the holidays. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

The perfect holiday album if you plan on opening your presents under a palm tree. Masterfully performing these slide guitar interpretations are some of the genre's best-known artists such as Keola Beamer, Moses Kahumoku, and Led Kaapana. These sunny versions of Christmas classics like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Winter Wonderland" don't necessarily evoke images of sleigh rides and bundled carolers, but they work well as an alternative to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A fun disc for those who would rather spend the season on the beach. Zac Johnson