When this CD was gifted to my wife and me by one of the guitarists and arrangers, John Auker, I was only familiar with a few of the musicians involved. I enjoyed the music and was impressed with the musicianship. Now, nearly 20 years since it was created, I’m not only very familiar with most of the players involved, but I realize just how gifted they are, having seen them perform many times and becoming a fan of their work. Fortunately, An Xalt Christmas is still available on all the major streaming services for anyone who wants to treat themselves to what it offers this holiday season.
An Xalt Christmas
2006
Executive produced by the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church and released in 2006, An Xalt Christmas is the second release from the XALT Worship Band. The album showcases an impressively high level of musicianship across its twelve traditional Christmas songs. Arrangements are split between Jay Alton, John Auker, Dennis Hodges, and Phil Nagy, each offering modern and tasteful takes on the familiar tunes. Remarkably for an independent release from almost 20 years ago, all of them are still professionally involved in music. My wife Elisa has worked with John Auker, a phenomenal musician, and he gifted this CD to us. Of all the gigs I’ve seen of Elisa, the time she played “Baker Street” at Woodlands Tavern with John Auker handling the sax parts on electric guitar stands out. It was the only time she’s ever played it, and it’s a vivid memory.
The album opens with Phil Nagy's simple yet evocative arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy,” featuring Nagy on snare drum and vocals alongside Dennis Hodges on piano. From the outset, it’s clear this is a professional production. The dry snare drum, piano, and vocal layers slowly build to create an ethereal atmosphere. Nagy and Hodges still play together in the Columbus band Dr. Awkward, continuing their collaboration almost two decades later.
Auker’s arrangement contributions begin with “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” His plaintive vocal delivery, paired with Nate Slemmer’s chunky electric guitar, gives the classic hymn a modern edge. Jay Alton’s organ further enriches the track’s rocking yet sensitive feel. Next is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” also arranged and sung by Auker. Drummer extraordinaire Ryan Jewell adds his characteristic groove, while Alton’s electric guitar injects some bite. Jewell, now based in Nashville, maintains a busy recording and touring schedule, contributing his talents to various diverse projects.
Jewell also plays drums on Phil Nagy’s arrangement of “In The Bleak Midwinter.” This track begins sparely, staying relatively faithful to Gustav Holst’s original setting before Dennis Hodges’ guitar propels it into grunge territory in the second verse. At the time, Nagy, Hodges, and Jewell played together in the band Charlie Buckett, and their chemistry is evident here.
One of the album’s standout tracks is Auker’s arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard On High.” Featuring a full horn section and vocal ensemble, it’s the album’s most ambitious production. Jewell’s drumming sets the tone, leading to a thoroughly unique modern jazz arrangement. The track culminates in a gospel-inspired rave-up, making it a memorable highlight.
Hodges takes a different approach with “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” giving it a ’50s R&B treatment. Complete with doo-wop backing vocals and a killer tenor sax solo from the formidable Kevin O’Neill, the track exudes vintage charm. Both Hodges and O’Neill remain prominent figures in the Columbus music scene, performing with top-tier bands like Popgun, FLIPPO, Hoodoo Soul, and the Pawpaw Orchestra.
This holiday season, fire up the yule log, dim the lights, and savor the excellent musicianship and unique arrangements offered on An Xalt Christmas. Pair it with your favorite beverage and the company of loved ones. Merry Christmas!
1 Little Drummer Boy
Piano – Dennis Hodges
Vocals, Snare Drum – Phil Nagy
2 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Bass – Jason Fullen
Drums – Ryan Walters
Electric Guitar – Nate Slemmer
Organ – Jay Alton
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Tambourine, Shaker – John Auker
3 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Bass, Electric Guitar, Vocals – Jay Alton
Drums – Ryan Jewell
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Bells, Shaker, Sleigh Bells, Synthesizer – John Auker
4 In The Bleak Midwinter
Bass – Tony Auseon
Drums – Ryan Jewell
Guitar – Dennis Hodges
Vocals, Synthesizer – Phil Nagy
5 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Guitar, Vocals – John Auker
Mandolin – Nate Slemmer
Vocals – Jay Alton
Vocals, Violin – Lisa Peterson
6 Angels We Have Heard On High
Bass – Jason Fullen
Drums – Ryan Jewell
Vocal Ensemble – DeCarlos "Cos" Waller, John Auker, Nicole Davis, Sanietha Lyles
Guitar – John Auker
Organ, Fender Rhodes – Sean Ferguson
Saxophone – Kevin O'Neill
Trumpet – Zack Rawlings
7 O Come, All Ye Faithful
Bass, Organ – Tony Auseon
Clarinet – Lisa Disinger
Drums, Congas, Tambourine – Ryan Jewell
Piano, Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Hodges
Tenor Saxophone – Kevin O'Neill
Violin, Cello – Anne Zavaglia
Vocals, Sleigh Bells – Phil Nagy
8 O Holy Night
Vocals – John Auker, Lisa Peterson
Vocals, Programmed By – Jay Alton
9 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Bass – Tony Auseon
Drums – Ryan Jewell
Piano, Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Hodges
Tenor Saxophone – Kevin O'Neill
Vocals – Phil Nagy (3)
10 Away In A Manger
Accordion – Sean Ferguson
Banjo – Nate Slemmer
Drums – Ryan Jewell
Piano, Guitar, Vocals – Jay Alton
Violin – Lisa Peterson
Vocals, Bells – John Auker
11 What Child Is This
Bass, Claves – Tony Auseon
Drums, Shaker – Ryan Jewell
Guitar, Piano – Dennis Hodges
Programmed By – Jay Alton
Vocals – Phil Nagy
12 Joy To The World
Accordion – Sean Ferguson
Bells – Ryan Jewell
Guitar – Dennis Hodges
Vocals – Phil Nagy
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Xalt Music
Credits
Arranged By – Dennis Hodges (tracks: 7, 9, 11, 12), Jay Alton (tracks: 5, 8, 10), John Auker (tracks: 2, 3, 6), Phil Nagy (tracks: 1, 4)
Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Jay Alton
Executive Producer – Upper Arlington Lutheran Church
Graphic Design, Photography By – Heather Lustnauer
Producer – Dennis Hodges, Jay Alton
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