Eight Track Christmas
Strikezone, 2019
8/10
Listen to Eight Track Christmas
Leave it to the legend Dave Stryker to bring a swingin’, groove filled spirit to these 10 holiday classics.
“This Christmas” gets the album started with calm rhythm in the vibraphone and percussion friendly opener, and “What Child Is This?” follows with a playful delivery of lively drums and spirited guitar work.
The remainder of the album continues the strong atmosphere, with the indeed soulful execution of “Soulful Frosty”, the elegant and bare “Christmas Time Is Here”, and the quick paced, festive and danceable “Sleigh Ride”.
At the end, “We Three Kings” offers some of the most detailed guitar acrobatics, as Stryker puts his vast talent on display, and “O Tannenbaum” exits the listen graceful yet frisky with skilled interplay between Steve Nelson, Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter.
Stryker’s Eight Track series has already produced several fine albums, and this installment continues that trend with a timeless theme that few could do better.
Travels well with: Jared Gold- Reemegernce; Rich Willey’s Boptism Funk Band- Conspiracy