Margaret Slovak: A Star's Light Does Fall

This is a lovely recording of Christmas music that includes the proverbial "well loved" tunes plus even musings by Paul Stookey and Wayne Shorter. Honestly, the acoustic bass-guitar offerings are so mellow, tranquil and restful, that a listener does not have to wait for the holidays. Paco de Lucia or Andrés Segovia never made a Christmas album, so A Star's Lght Does Fall will have to do.

And really, does anyone want to read a review of a holiday album between Thanksgiving and New Year? By then, listeners are so sick of "White Christmas" that they would rather party to soul jazz or salsa. Besides, Christmas in July? Someone might actually pay attention to a midsummer review crammed with secular offerings.

Guitarist Margaret Slovak and bassist Chris Maresh are based in Austin, Texas, a city that hardly lacks for gifted musicians. Here, they alternate lead and rhythm parts, taking listeners back on a ride that spans more than a century.

Why another Christmas album? When the music is this tuneful, why not?

This is clearly not a commercial undertaking with some well-known, overexposed personality howling his or her way through yet another "holiday season" searching for a reason. The songs are what they are, but somehow the juxtaposition of instruments manages to to bring out unsuspected harmonies and quiet chords that often get lost in the bustle of "me too" recordings. Slovak and Maresh make a most sympathetic duo. Turn the lights down, have a glass of wine, and reflect that even the chaos which envelopes us can be be stilled by the heartfelt playing of outstanding musicians. So what if it is July? Slovak and Maresh will bring a memorable December soon enough. A connoisseur of the Christmas repertoire will be pleased to add this to the collection. So would anyone who enjoys "classical guitar" of any genre or period.

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