One-Take Jake is an all-acoustic album featuring brand new acoustic recordings of some of my older songs, along with some new tunes, and a few covers. Each song was tracked "in one”; vocals and guitar recorded together with no other instruments and no overdubs. I wanted to record an album that was a good representation of what I do live, and for better or worse, this is that album. There are mistakes, and I claim every one of them. But I’ll feel better letting you hear them than I would trying to hide them from you. Such is life.

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

According to co-writer and jazz legend Mel Torme, these words were penned on a spiral notebook on the hottest day of the year in July. Why write a Christmas song in July? The same reason I recorded a Christmas album in August.

To try and keep cool.

This is a collection of Christmas songs I've arranged and recorded over the past few years. This CD isn't perfect, but that's okay because I'm not a perfect musician. These songs, however, are about as close to perfect as songs can get. They're sacred. Meaningful. Nostalgic. The lyrics share the Good News with generation after generation of lonely star-gazers, and the melodies hang on your ear like a garland. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as I enjoy playing them, and after Christmas comes and goes this year, I won't judge you if you pop this disc into your car stereo on a hot day in the middle of July. Gotta keep cool.

Live tracks from various shows, 2014 -2015 featuring John Henry on the drums, and Mark Eshenbaugh on the bass.