Steve Oliver does things differently.  While there are so many guitarists out there in the smooth jazz genre, Steve has garnered a following because of his uniqueness.  His latest offering to his fans is nothing less than superb and he has once again given to us something a little different than the usual sounds of the season.  Snowfall is Steve’s fourth CD and his first holiday compilation.  He offers up some familiar seasonal standards as well as a couple of original tracks and he graces us with his vocals, too.

The CD opens with the familiar “Carol of the Bells.”  This song is a classic, but played strictly with Steve’s guitar and just a hint of piano, provided by Tony Windle, gives it a new flavor.  “Silent Night” gives us the first of the vocals by Steve.  His voice fits this tune perfectly.  It is soft and peaceful, just the way it should be.  But there is a slight groove that offers that jazz tinge; something not usually heard in this timeless, traditional song.  If you want to get your groove on, then tune into Steve’s version of “Deck the Halls/Angels We Have Heard On High.”  With Will Donato on sax and KT Tyler on Bass, it begins with a really funky intro.  A very cool sound for the season.

Another traditional song is “Joy to the World,” where again Steve’s guitar plays alongside Will Donato, who is on flute this time.  Steve brings this song to life with his gentle guitar, and Will adds another dimension.  No album would be complete without “White Christmas.”  Steve makes this into a playful song with great guitar work and his signature vocals, and Tony Windle again adds his piano.  Steve plays flawlessly on the original track “Crystals in the Snow.”  It really showcases his talent and sensitivity.  It’s the kind of song that gives you the feeling of watching the snow through a frosted window. 

“The Christmas Song” represents all that this season is, and Steve jazzes it up with slick guitar, accompanied by Will Donato on sax and KT Tyler on bass again.  Steve also offers his voice to this track, which is sung beautifully.  This is the first time for me hearing “The Little Drummer Boy” on guitar and I must say, truly enjoyable.  Steve really captured the essence of this classic holiday song.  “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is performed on a classical guitar, which gives it the old time, pure feeling of the holidays.  The song morphs into “We Three Kings” but continues with the classic feel.  The CD ends with another original song by Steve.  “Watching the Snowfall” is a very personal message from him and you can hear it in his voice.  You can tell that this time of year means so much to him.

Snowfall is truly a gift for the holiday season from Steve Oliver.  With timeless classics and a few new tracks that perhaps will be come classics, you can’t go wrong with adding this to your holiday collection.

- Bonnie Schendell