Nov 2025 Alan L

[Alan L]

For this challenge I went off the AM rolls and chose Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation anyone? 😆

It was tricky enough I couldn’t just do pentatonic noodling so I wrote out a solo following the changes. Backing track and tab courtesy Eric Haugen Guitar.

Happy Holidays! 🌲

[JoeD1]

That was nicely done Alan. Thanks for reminding me to watch Christmas Vacation again! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[sunjamr]

Nicely played, Alan. I’m surprised at how many of us ventured into the jazz world for this challenge. You’ve dialed in a quite authentic jazz tone, plus your slides and bends are spot on.

Sunjamr Steve

[Michael L]

Hi Alan, a neo-classic if ever there was one! Nicely played with pace and light-hearted feel. Great solo in the middle.
Years ago I worked on a cruise ship and spent a Christmas in the Caribbean. This had that same vibe with some good memories. Happy Holidays!

[JoLa]

Oh, what a fun arrangement! Very well played, Alan! I also love the slightly muted jazzy tone you have picked, somehow it fits the piece so well!

🎸JoLa

[AndréM]

Fine Christmas standard.
Excellent playing.
Can’t stop thinking of Chevy Chase goofy face when I hear this song.

Merry Christmas

AndréM

AndréM

[Werner]

A very melodic piece and brilliantly played. Excellent guitar work and very entertaining. You’re always eager to hear what comes next.

Thank you, Werner

[Bill]

Awesome Alan! One of the great things about a lot of the classic American Xmas songs is coming out of the 40s and 50s they were written in the popular music style of the day aka Jazz. They are a great entry point to recognizing lots of common composition cliches. All that is to say, though outside normal pentatonic playing, your solo fit the changes great and was a nice treat to be bookended by the classic melody.
Meow Kalikimaka!

Now I’ve got to go fix my newel post…🎅

[John H]

Well played Alan.
A very enjoyable listen. Best of holidays my friend.

JH

[Guido]

Wow, a very refined, very nicely crafted and played arrangement, Alan! Very jazzy and classy and you showed a special musical ability playing on the changes and not only simple pentatonic licks. Very enjoyable to listen to, awesome rendition.

Guido

[Andy N]

Way to go Alan. That’s bringing home Christmas for me. Rock solid playing all the way through those jazzy changes and brilliant work on the solo.

[charjo]

So well played, Alan, a really nice arrangement that was fun and quirky. A great listen.
I guess I’m going to have to watch the film again.
John

[Dieter]

Very nice playing.

Dieter

[Denise]

I very much like that jazzy arrangement with the country pedal steel.
Never heard of that song before.
Very well played! Nice groove.
Denise

More Blues!

[Manfred M]

You make Christmas swing, Alan. You listen and feel good. That’s what makes Christmas fun. Thanks for that!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026

A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Martin W]

That’s a catchy little tune , very upbeat which rolled along at a nice pace , sounds quite intricate in places , with a subtle jazz sound .
love that slight break up in tone .

Happy Christmas to you

Martin

[Juxi]

Well done, Alan. Steady rhythm in perfect accordance with the backing track throughout the tune! Skilful playing! 👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Reuben B]

What a nice rendition of this song in a swinging Christmas way. Love the slide/hammer on you did on the song. Mighty fine improvisation as well. Great and fun submission!

[Author]

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