Composer/guitarist Jim Kimo West is best known for his work with Weird Al Yankovic he s played on all of his albums since 1984 but on his own his vision has taken a radically different path. Separated from Yankovic s hilarious parodies, West explores less commercial terrain. Fascinated by slack-key guitar, Kimo has released several albums in the genre, and the latest, Ki Ho'alu Christmastime, is another fingerstyle jewel. Kimo has mastered slack-key guitar to the point where he can revamp Yuletide classics as if they were originally written that way. For those burned out on hearing the same Christmas tunes every year, West has provided a radiant alternative. Jingle Bell Rock is suitably upbeat but magical. West has revived the sense of wonder which once fueled the track, covered enough times to make anyone gag. Given the slack-key guitar treatment, it sounds fresh and alive. Sleigh Ride swings from a spellbinding web of instrumental wizardry. Away in a Manger is turned into a fragile lullaby. One can imagine the snowflakes gradually falling in the stunningly beautiful The Christmas Song. West s playing throughout the CD is enchanting and atmospheric, capturing the wintry beauty of the holiday like few have done in the last couple of decades. --No Depression 12/9/2013