What makes Auburnian Bob Piorun#'s Christmas album, “Picks on Christmas Carols,” so unique? Every song on it. Piorun began the project this year when he obtained a new sophisticated 16-track recorder and wanted to record something, anything, while trying it out. He picked Christmas carols and gave them a kick as an extra bonus for families to share over holiday events.

“All I want to do is take Christmas carols that have been played a million times and make each one a little unique,” Piorun said.

The picks feature guitar, bass, flute, banjo and harmonica. The new technology of his 16-track recorder allows him to play all of the instruments on the all-classic album. Including the truly well-picked rendition of “Away in a Manger,” the songs are a mixture of jazz and new age music.

“It#'s very mellow and laid back,” Piorun said.

Although the album is mellow, hearing holiday favorites such as “O Holy Night” and “Ave Maria” so thoughtfully picked out on a spring guitar or breathlessly whispered on a flute can be an emotional experience. “Picks on Christmas Carols” is sure to make Auburnians feel lucky to call Piorun their own, because he has not just made another jazz album, as reviewers have stated before on Christmas reviews.com.

Piorun's rendition of “Silent Night,” opening in a James Taylor-style with a steel guitar, has a New Age kind of sound. “Ave Maria” quietly features a nylon string guitar with the haunting flute.

“Each song took on its own nature because of my own eclectic style. I just sat down with each song and let it take on its own feeling,” Piorun said.

Piorun makes his living as a musician and has taught more than 7,000 people to play guitar. He was featured last week on the show “Soundwaves” on Auburn#'s television channel 6.

Piorun#'s other pet project is a music workshop held every winter at the Schweinfurth Museum, where music lovers of all ages, from 8 to 78 years old, play music together. The workshop begins in February. Piorun often brings in local music celebrities such as Nancy Kelly, Joe Whiting and Dave Hanlon.

If you listen

What: “Picks on Christmas Carols” by Bob Piorun

Where: Can be bought at the Schweinfurth Art Center, Speno's Music, Second Hand Rose in Auburn; the Sherwood Inn, Lake House and White Sleigh in Skaneateles; or Burritt's Cafe in Weedsport. Also available at www.cdbaby.com or by sending payment to Bob Piorun, 16 Clymer St., Auburn

Cost: $14.98