Greg Chako - Merry Christmas From Greg Chako
“Guitarist Greg Chako is undoubtedly one of the most prodigious guitarists around and each of his albums have copious charms. He celebrates Christmas this time out, and the renditions are delivered in three ways, intimate solo guitar, hip jazz combo with David Lloyd/b and Todd Remmy/dr, and gritty swamp soul by adding David Burk on vocals and harmonica. A real stocking stuffer! The solos on pieces like “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” or “Greensleeves” show Chako’s touch in the tradition of Eddie Lang or Carl Kress, meaning clean, classy and clear. The easy swinging trios on the lithe “A Child Is Born”,”Christmas Time Is Here” and “The Christmas Waltz” are joyful and sublime. And when Burk joins in with voice and harp, the nativity scene turns into the VFW with some down home boogie on “Santa Claus” and “Christmas Comes But Once A Year”. A little extra nutmeg in the egg nog on this one!” – George Harris, jazzweekly.com
“Jazz guitarist Greg Chako has finally produced his very first all-Christmas album featuring traditional Christmas standards with fresh new arrangements for jazz and classical guitar. The result is a jolly frolicking new Christmas sound like you’ve never heard before. Joining Greg on this holiday occasion are drummer Todd Remmy and the three kings or actually, the three swinging Davids. David Ferrara on the classical guitar, David S. Burk on harmonica and vocals and David Lloyd on bass. With a Christmas cheer and a sparkling Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas from Greg Chako will ring in the jingle bells and the holiday season with a smile and a chime that Christmas time is finally here.” – Edward Blanco, Allaboutjazz.com, WDNA 88.9FM
“If you enjoy listening to classic popular Christmas music and the guitar, “Merry Christmas from Greg Chako” needs to be in your music collecton. Greg has put together a wonderful asssortment of songs for the holiday season. Solo classical guitar arrangements by Greg take up half of this CD while the other half contains jazz settings in various scorings of jazz guitar, double bass, harmonica, and vocals, all backed up with tastfull percussion. The repertoire covers a wide range of sacred to secular songs and hymns, all coming from a jazz point of reference. His lovely version of “Winter Wonderland” includes some nice exchanges between the guitar and harmonica lead. The solo classical guitar arrangements are quite engaging with their substitute harmonies and jazz-like voicings. I was particularly taken with his version of “Greensleeves”, starting with an uptempo 4/4 walking bass and then shifting into a cool jazzy 3/4. A very fresh arrangement. We get to hear two settings of “Silent Night”, one for solo classical guitar and one for jazz ensemble. and two settings of “Christmas Time”, one solo classical guitar and one jazz ensemble. I was really taken with the jazz ensemble version of “Christmas Time”. It is beautifully set and played. I think he captured the character of the piece perfectly. The wide variety of songs, including a real foot-stomper, “Santa Claus”, are woven together to best display the diversity in this recording. The last jazz ensemble piece gives the drummer a chance to solo. He rises to the occasion with a solo that reminds me a bit of Joe Morello, of the Dave Brubeck quartet, but in 3/4 meter. All in all a fine CD with wonderful arrangements to get you into the Christmas season. Thanks Greg for leaving us with a gem!” – Rodney Stuckey, Head of Classical Guitar at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music