I’m a big fan of the festive period, but if I hear Noddy Holder scream ‘it’s Chriiiiistmaaaasssss!’ one more time on the office radio i’m gonna be busting out my best Negan impression on that plastic hell-box… There’s only so much Wham, Mariah Carey and Band Aid that a guy can take.
Seriously, it’s the same damn 10 pop songs on repeat every single year. So to save your sanity, I’ve put together a list of 7 of the best Christmas guitar albums that you can enjoy, and pick up a few tasty licks at the same time!
Please note that the images below are just mockups I put together for this article. Check out the links below for accurate album artwork.
7 of the Best Christmas Guitar Albums
I’ve included links underneath each album which you can use to hear samples from each CD.
1. Merry Axemas – A Guitar Christmas
What happens when you ask 11 world-class guitarists to each write a Christmas track? You get Merry Axemas! Featuring artists such as Eric Johnson, Jeff, Beck, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani, this album is a veritable smorgasbord of virtuoso talent! My personal favorite track is Steve Morse’s version of Joy to the World.
2. Al Di Meola – Winter Nights
Capturing the calm and serenity of a star-filled winter night, Al Di Meola’s album is for those after a more chilled out, jazzy Christmas vibe. In this album Di Meola has teamed up with Roman Hrynkiv, a Ukrainian bandura musician, to produce an album laden with exotic sounding seasonal songs.
3. Joe Pass – Six String Santa
A fantastic collection of some of the best loved Christmas songs by master jazz guitarist Joe Pass.
4. Steve Lukather – Santamental
For Santamental, Steve Lukather has teamed up with artists such as Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Sammy Davis Jr to produce 10 of your favorite Christmas songs with a hard-rocking edge. Chock-full of tasty guitar licks!
5. Christmas With Chet Atkins
The ideal album for hanging out in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate while the snow falls outside. An absolute gem, and the first album that Chet first used chordal harmonics.
6. Gary Hoey – Ho Ho Hoey
This has to be one of the best value albums in this list, as ‘Ho Ho Hoey’ features a whopping 37 tracks! Originally recorded solely as a gift for friends, this album was so well received that Gary gave it a full worldwide release. All tracks are high-energy, riff-laden takes on classic festive songs which are sure to spice up any slow-paced Christmas party!
7. Christmas – Brad Paisley
Although responsible for some of the most terrible song lyrics/titles ever penned (Ode de Toilet? I’d like to check you for ticks!?), Brad Paisley is one damn fine guitarist. Plus the majority of this album is covers, so there isn’t much opportunity for him to start singing about how he wants to grab Santa’s sack, or something else equally as bizarre.
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