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Christmas by Jadon Lavik | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseToday

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Christmas [edit]
by Jadon Lavik | Genre: Other | Release Date: November 01, 2011
 

Jadon Lavik’s Christmas is an album chock-full of acoustic, bluesy renditions of Christmas traditionals (and one original) done Southern California-style. The album begins with “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Lavik’s gentle acoustic guitar and effortless vocals float along to the jazzed up Christmas classic. Celebratory original “Hallelujah The Lord Has Come” picks up steam with electric slide guitar forming it into an instant classic with the chorus “Hallelujah, The Lord has come, Emmanuel, our God is with us.” A Dave Matthews-influenced version of "Little Drummer Boy" features Lavik’s bluesy guitar work and a horn section.

The simple piano arrangement of "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" gives Lavik room to stretch his vocal range. He returns back to his acoustic pop roots with his takes on “Silent Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” that will be sure to find a spot on your Christmas playlist. Bringing the album to a close are the folk inspired “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” the acoustic blues of “Joy To The World,” and the Hawaiian Christmas song "Mele Kalikimaka" - complete with ukulele.

Jadon Lavik’s Christmas will deliver yuletide joy and reflection on the birth of Christ for those wanting a slice of Americana with their Christmas celebrations.

Track Listing
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01. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
02. Hallelujah The Lord Has Come
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03. Little Drummer Boy
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04. I'll Be Home For Christmas
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05. Silent Night
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06. O Come All Ye Faithful
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07. Christmas Time Is Here
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08. Joy To The World
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09. Go Tell It On The Mountain
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10. Mele Kalikimaka
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11. Walking In A Winter Wonderland
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Entry last edited by CCMSingles on 11.30.15

Christian CD Reviews
(2) Total Review(s) | Average NRTeam Rating:
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Dawno (57)


Christmas | Posted January 09, 2012
I'm unfamiliar with California worship leader Jadon Lavik, so I greeted his release, Christmas without any preconceived ideas. With Christmas songs though, comes tradition. And with tradition comes expectation. When traditional arrangements and melodies are altered, the results may please some while leaving others reaching for Nat King Cole or Perry Como to find satisfaction.
 
Jadon Lavik's approach on Christmas is non-traditional. With the exception of "Mele Kalikmaka," and the Lavik-penned "Hallelujah the Lord Has Come," the songs are traditional. But Lavik's arrangements are often unique. The acoustic album has an organic and often jazzy feel, and the opener, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," sets the mellow tone for what is to come. Next is Lavik's original worship tune, "Hallelujah the Lord Has Come," followed by a jazzed up "Little Drummer Boy" that adds guitar and horn to the familiar percussive rhythms. 
 
The spare "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is the album's standout track. The quiet piano accompaniment allows Lavik's vocals to shine through unhindered. He sings a straight-ahead version, in keeping with the song's original spirit. Lavik then shifts gears to bring us an uptempo, poppy rendition of "Silent Night." While non-traditional, the increased tempo works here to give the album a needed infusion of energy and joy. The female vocal accompaniment is also welcome. 
 
Lavik's arrangement on "Christmas Time Is Here" is true to the familiar Guaraldi Trio's. But while I applaud him for taking chances, I find Lavik's arrangements are not uniformly successful. On "O Come All Ye Faithful," his inclusion of a jazzy vocal "fa la la...la la la..." interlude ultimately removes the power and majesty from this song. "Joy to the World" similarly suffers from its laid back presentation. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" is an annual favorite of mine, but I didn't enjoy Lavik's changes on his folky version. The altered melody and tempo diminish the joyous feeling the song usually inspires.
 
Lavik wraps up Christmas with a ukelele on "Mele Kalikimaka," and finishes with energy and electric instruments on "Winter Wonderland," a spirited pop confection that again includes a female guest vocal. 
 
Closing Thoughts:
If you're a fan of acoustic music, particularly if you like jazz, you'll enjoy Christmas, Jadon Lavik's mellow holiday presentation. While lovers of jazz and fans of Lavik will enjoy the album as a whole, others may prefer a more traditional approach to their Christmas standards. The album's most immediately accessible tracks, "Winter Wonderland," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Silent Night," should be enjoyed by all merry Christians.


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Ross (1)


A Christmas Together | Posted December 29, 2011
 Saw this in Spokane WA. Great Worship concert. Jadon Lavik, Moly Jensen, Tim Timons, Evan Wickham. "Little Drummer Boy" beat into my chest like CPR! Great performance - great CD. Loved hearing the artists share their personal stories about how the various songs were inspired ad developed. 

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