December 13, 2010

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks: Crazy For Christmas

Timothy Stout December 13, 2010 No Comments

If you have the patience to give one more Christmas album a go, then you could do much worse than Crazy For Christmas. Hicks and his band mates roll triumphantly through a few classics (“Run Run Rudolph” and “Here Comes Santa Claus”), but it’s the originals that shine brightest and set this apart from other holiday offerings. “Santa’s Workshop” for one is a classic in the making with its signature sense of humor and witty word that we’ve come to expect from Hicks.

Indigo Girls: Holly Happy Days

Philip Kjelland December 13, 2010 No Comments

Beginning with the upbeat knee-slapper “I Feel The Christmas Spirit”, the twelve tracks in Indigo Girls’ Holly Happy Days include standards like “Oh, Holy Night”, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Angels We Have Heard On High” along with inspired versions of not so familiar tunes and three original songs that will find their way into one’s holiday rotation.

Bret Amaker and The Rodeo: Please Stand By

Shane Handler December 13, 2010 No Comments

From one bar story to another, Please Stand By rolls by quick, one Crazy Heart anthem after another, except these guys aren’t has-beens playing bowling alleys. Amaker’s voice is more spoken word than country howl, which depreciates any old timey gracefulness for a rougher edge. Although Brent Amaker and the Rodeo don’t score any points for originality, these guys are no posers. Grab the bourbon and enjoy.