16 December 2025: Holiday Show #2: A Winter Solstice Celebration: California Guitar Trio; Markus Reuter; Cousin Silas

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 California Guitar Trio - 10 Christmas Songs

AllMusic Review by Glenn Astarita

Not that there is an abundance of progressive rock-tinged acoustic guitar trios among the ranks, but this aggregation stands tall among its peers as the guitarists' inventiveness surges forward with this altogether warmhearted reckoning of Christmas carols and other pleasantries. The guitarists' nimble yet at times forceful approach is wholly evident during their highly rhythmic spin on "Jingle Bells." They perform the classic "Greensleeves" with a sensitive, chamber-like approach while also tackling the Lennon/Ono favorite "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)." However, part of the magic resides within the trio's ability to delve into the inherent frameworks of each song, while also reformulating themes and rhythms into personalized statements. Essentially, the artists have produced a rather poignant Christmas outing, awash with interweaving lines and lilting harmonies, as they complement their superior artisanship and forward-thinking deployments with a cheerfully rendered collection of holiday favorites.

                                            

Winter Solstice EP from Markus Reuter:  Soundscape versions of traditional songs usually associated with this time of year, at least here in Germany. In addition to the meditative soundscapes (which are based on the series of pitches of each tune) I've also overdubbed straight versions of the original melodies. Enjoy this parallel universe... It's strangely hypnotizing. Only available from December 1st to December 31st.

 

5.1 surround mix available here: 
surroundmusic.one/album/winter-solstice/

credits

released December 17, 2018

christmas jul merry natale noel weihnachten weihnachtslied yule yuletide Berlin

Cousin Silas - Variations on a Theme of Winter

There are many things that 'inspire' the music I do, but perhaps one of the most endearing is Winter. Apart from the usual cliches of transformation, and the memory echoes from childhood with its association with Christmas. It's also the way in which, at night, sounds are strangely muffled, morphed almost and how the landscape glitters and glows as though we have two full moons.
I guess all that sounds a little pretentious, but as I say, I do have a rather abiding passion for Winter.

My thanks to Thomas Mathie for the cover/artwork.

credits

released November 16, 2020

Cover/Artwork by Thomas Mathie 

 

ambient electronic experimental guitar sound alchemy soundscapes thomas mathie cousin silas United Kingdom