John Doan: Press

"John Doan breathes new life into musty tunes with his pristine, intricate picking, which is laced with the delicacy of a snowflake ... that evokes the nostalgic, mystical side of Christmas and leaves the shopping mall sentimentality behind."

"The Ultimate One-Man Band - John Doan: Wrapped In White ...
is literally joy for, as well as to the world. It offers a glorious sonic toy shop of refreshing delights that revitalizes the whole field... It's crazed, utterly endearing and wonderfully inventive. He has rejuvenated this music as I would never have thought possible, transforming the unendurable into levels of high enchantment. For a Christmas disc, this is IT. Highest possible recommendation.

"Wrapped In White - Visions of Christmas Past is one of the best Christmas albums. John Doan Plays Christmas carols with gentle touches that make this music seem like it arrived out of a Middle Eastern desert and was dropped into the snow of Doan's home state of Oregon."

Talk about traditional. Guitarist John Doan has it pegged on Wrapped In White. Twenty-one Christmas carols are brought into the 20th century courtesy of authentic 19th century instruments from Victorian America. A glossary of instrument descriptions in the liner notes makes this record as educational as it is just plain fun to listen to.

"This album is really extraordinary one. John Doan presents traditional tunes with love, care, respect and improvisation, so each composition has got a feel of its own. It is interesting that the music sounds both in the old and in the modern manner, but very romantically and masterly. Everything is performed on the highest professional level, with perfect quality and taste. Do not miss this remarkable and original project. This beautiful music is very good to listen to in a good company of friends, with a glass of wine, near a fireplace, or just alone. It helps to feel yourself in a romantic, comfortable atmosphere."

"The combination of well-known carols, authentic 19th century instrumetns and Doan's sensitive performances is an irresistible one. With his battery of vintage instruments, Doan commands a wide and varied palette of delightful timbres, which somehow seem perfectly chosen for a given song or mood. By dipping into the past, Wrapped In White offers a unique musical vision for the present."

"If you want a break from shopping malls and Las Vegas-style Christmas lights, this CD will transport you to a simpler time when evergreens frist came indoors and the tradition of hanging ornaments began. John Doan has created one of this year's most memorable Holiday treasures."

" soft and lyrical and very pretty... the intrepretations are a delight... makes you feel "wrapped in white."