The talented guitarists Muriel Anderson and Jean-Felix Lalanne bring tidings of comfort and joy in A Little Christmas Gift, a collection of 10 instrumental renditions of popular Christmas carols. With its snappy but soothing beat, A Little Christmas Gift provides just the right background music for wrapping presents or holding holiday dinners.

While a lot of instrumental Christmas discs, such as Maggie Sansone's Sounds of the Season, have a distinctly Celtic flavor, this disc alternates between classical, jazzy and bluegrassy. My own preferences lie in the more traditional versions of songs, such as "What Child is This" and "O Tannenbaum," rather than selections like "Sleigh Ride" (too twangy), "The Christmas Song" (turn down the bass!), "Coventry Carol" (a bit rushed), "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (a bit rambling) and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" (rushed and twangy). However, that said, the disc works as a whole (despite my own picky criticisms) and will brighten up any home.

Leading musical artist (and composer) Muriel Anderson has been hailed by Guitar Player Magazine as "one of America's premier solo-acoustic guitarists" and is touted as a former national fingerpicking champion.

Notably, other than providing excellent quality music for your listening pleasure, Anderson works with the Music for Life Alliance, "an organization that helps provide musical instruments to young people." What a gift!

- Rambles
written by Lynne Remick
published 28 December 2002

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