Merry Axemas
A tour de force of guitar playersSteve Vaihas known rock around the Christmas tree in this must-have Yuletide album. Vai, who began his career as a member of Frank Zappa's band and in more recent years has been David Lee Roth's partner in crime, transcends both roles by playing matchmaker between a few of our more inventive (albeit overlooked) guitar slingers and some of the best-loved Christmas carols. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's proboscis has never glowed quite so brightly as whenKenny Wayne Shepherdcranks up his guitar and takes us down an edgy blues journey.Eric Johnson's clear-as-a-Christmas-bell tones are a joy to listen to in his rendition of "The First Nowell." The standout, however, isJeff Beck's haunting and emotional "Amazing Grace."--Jaan Uhelszki