Bluegrass instrumental - The First Noel - Kelly Bogan

One man - Nine instruments - One incredible sound!

In this bluegrass instrumental album featuring dobro guitar, bluegrass guitar, mandolin, and three other bluegrass instruments, songs like It came upon a Midnight Clear, Fairest Lord Jesus, O Little Town of Bethlehem, among many others, are performed in multi-track format by musician Kelly Bogan.

"The First Nowell" is of Cornish origin. Its current form was first published in Carols Ancient and Modern (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Carols (1833), both of which were edited by William Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert for Hymns and Carols of God. Nowell is an Early Modern English synonym of "Christmas" from French Noël "the Christmas season", ultimately from Latin natalis [dies] "[day] of birth".

"Kelly Bogan is a one-man band. On his all instrumental compact disc, 'Bluegrass Christmas,' he plays banjo, guitar, mandolin, resonator guitar, fiddle (just a bit), bass, zither, harmonica, and percussion. He is the source for every track on this recording.

The CD contains instrumental renditions of 12 of the best-loved Christmas carols. Bogan, a
guitar and piano teacher in Spokane, Wash., has done a fine job of accompanying himself. The arrangements are straightforward, the parts played very cleanly. Kelly Bogan is a talented musician, as can be noted in the crisp banjo rolls and the warm tones he draws from the resonator guitar. . . . .

Interesting moments on the album include the bass/percussion break on 'Joy To The World,' the guitar introduction to 'The First Noel,' and the Country Gentlemen-esque arrangement of 'God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen.' These and the other pretty pieces here would make lovely background music for any Christmas party. Christmas music lovers take note".

Nancy Pate, Bluegrass Unlimited

All of the instruments used on this recording were played by Kelly Bogan - B.A., M.A., musician, teacher, and songwriter from Spokane, Washington.
© 2020, Kelly Bogan

Kelly uses exclusively:
Martin guitars
D'Addario strings, tuners, and accessories
Fender picks
Kyser capos
Boulder cases

Canon M50 cameras
Neumann mics
Cubase recording software
Magix video editing software
Yamaha studio monitors