Internationally renowned guitarist Luis Villegas grew up in East Los Angeles as a first-generation Mexican-American, absorbing the traditional music he heard in his home and the rock 'n' roll of Hollywood's Sunset Strip. That dichotomy can be heard on Guitarras de Navidad — an acoustic, (mostly) instrumental holiday album that will no doubt sound good anytime of the year.
Villegas' dexterity with the Spanish guitar is accented by adventurous arrangements that add a flamenco rhythm and Middle-Eastern violin to "Little Drummer Boy," Latin beats to "Carol of the Bells," Gloria Estefan-style horns to "Jingle Bells," a "cha-cha-cha" feel to the middle of "White Christmas" and a minor-key signature to "Feliz Navidad." He also provides listeners insight into his own culture by sharing the origins of traditional Spanish/Mexican carols such as "Peces en el Rio" (with an opening beat that echoes "Sympathy for the Devil") and the party sing-along "La Rama" in the liner notes.
Guitarras de Navidad is neither cheesy nor obnoxious, subtly providing a smooth elixir for any grinch who needs a refreshing dose of holiday spirit.
Track Listing:
1) Carol of the Bells
2) Peces en el Rio
3) Little Drummer Boy
4) Greensleeves
5) Jingle Bells
6) Noche De Paz
7) We Three Kings
8) Feliz Navidad
9) White Christmas
10) Winter Wonderland
11) La Rama