Jeremiah Lockwood puts a Chanukah spin on John Fahey's yuletide classic

Guitar picker deluxe Jeremiah Lockwood is releasing A Great Miracle on November 22, just in time for Chanukah celebrations.

Here's the scoop...

Reboot Records and musician Jeremiah Lockwood present a Chanukah record that is sure to become a standard in holiday’s lexicon. A Great Miracle: Jeremiah Lockwood’s Guitar Soli Chanukah Record – out November 22 – is a beautiful solo guitar tribute to the holiday. With heartfelt appreciation of the 1968 classic The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Record, Lockwood has sweetly crafted eight songs, one for each night of Chanukah, to celebrate the dancing candlelight with his new, blues-inspired takes on the most beloved melodies of the holiday’s cannon. From the prayers for lighting the candles to the kids’ songs that are sung around the burning menorah, Lockwood paints the light through the darkness with his instrumental creations. Check out Jeremiah's recording of "Ritual" right here.

Lockwood’s career has followed a unique path, with deep musical inspiration coming from two mentors. His grandfather Cantor Jacob Konigsberg (1921-2007) infused in him the melodies of the Jewish liturgy, with Lockwood performing in his choir. Lockwood credits his career as a guitarist to a decade-long apprenticeship with the legendary blues musician Carolina Slim, a.k.a. Elijah Staley (1926-2014), who passed down to Lockwood the Piedmont blues tradition of Brownie McGhee and Buddy Moss. Lockwood also leads the band Sway Machinery, which features Jordan McLean of Antibalas and at one point Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

A Great Miracle is the ultimate realization of both sides of Lockwood’s learning, as he translates the major Chanukah melodies into a blues language, through his fingers and the strings of his Gibson guitar. For more information about Jeremiah's album and to sign up for notifications of upcoming releases and events, visit the Reboot Records site right here.  

As Chanukah arrives early this year – commencing November 28th and staying illuminated until December 6th – there's a well-timed release party for Jeremiah Lockwood's new album to celebrate the festival of lights in New York at Relix Studio (116 E 27th St.) on Tuesday, November 30 – doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7 pm Eastern. The event will feature a full performance of the album, followed by a set by The Sway Machinery, Lockwood's long running rock band (featuring members of Antibalas, Barbez, Arcade Fire, an incredibly accomplished set of musicians), called "unclassifiable, uplifting" by The New Yorker. The album release concert will also be streamed live on Twitch.

Get your tickets to the November 30 live streamed album release party here. Listen to Jeremiah's spin on "Little Dreydl" below.