Dave Stryker – Eight Track Christmas – Strikezone Records 8819 50:56****
(Dave Stryker – guitar; Stefon Harris – vibraphone; Jared Gold – organ; McClenty Hunter – drums and percussion; Steve Nelson – vibraphone track# 10)
Dave Stryker and his merry band of musicians have put their collective minds to a program of Christmas songs on the release entitled Eight Track Christmas, and have given all the songs a hip interpretation that keeps the spirit of Christmas alive and swinging.
There is an eclectic mixture of genres of Christmas compositions, ranging from the traditional to a couple of the more current seasonal offerings, all of which are meant to keep the Christmas spirit alive. The session opens with the Donny Hathaway number “This Christmas” which has a soulful strut. Both vibraphonist Stefon Harris and guitarist Stryker take the bulk of the solo space and show their far-reaching inquisitiveness in filling out the frame of this number.
One of the traditional numbers “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is done up in a funky groove and tied with a ribbon. Playing in the moment, the band exhibits an unerring touch and a smart melodic instinct.
“Soulful Frosty” is a delightful mash-up of the classic Soulful Strut and Frosty The Snowman which gives everyone a chance to get down and dirty under the Christmas tree, as the band delivers a frothy abundance of improvised music. “Blue Christmas” could just as easlily be called Blues Christmas as Stryker’s guitar leads the band through the usual twelve bar blues refrain with bubbling exuberance. Vibes player Harris and organist Gold work their own magic with blues articulation.
The album closes with another traditional Christmas offering “O Tannenbaum”. The band turns this number into a rollicking swinger. Guest vibist Steve Nelson plays with sensitivity and an understanding of what it takes to please. Organist Jared Gold is brimming with ideas, while guitarist Stryker investigates the fretboard with charisma.
This is a lively addition to the catalogue of Christmas music.
TrackList:
This Christmas
What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Soulful Frosty
Christmas Time Is Here
Sleigh Ride
Blue Christmas
We Three Kings
O Tannenbaum
—Pierre Giroux
