Much welcome mistletoe madness...!
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 11/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A great, groovy, well-produced and really good-natured set of original roots-blues holiday tunes... Acoustic roots showman Dan Hicks and a bunch of his Bay Area buddies cruise through their fourth album of madcap holiday novelty songs... and it may be their best one yet! The album kicks off with the off-color "Santa Lost A Ho" then zips through a series of similarly silly, likeable novelty tunes. The players are cherry-picked from the ranks of overly-talented Northern California musicians -- mostly fellows whose names you wouldn't recognize, though roots divas Maria Muldaur and Angela Strehli drop in for a duet on "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and Norton Buffalo resurfaces for "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" (don't play this song for your kids: they'll only get ideas!) Overall, this is a really fun album... If you want a little break from the saccharine blechiness that passes for yuletide cheer, then this is a disc that may make your holidays fun again...!)"
Midwest Record Recap says...
Al | Mill Valley, CA United States | 10/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Peopled and fueled by the people that make the music behind many of your fave front persons, this highly skewed Christmas set is a hoot. Recording together again in the first time in forever, this bunch of fun by some of the greatest names from 70's blues, rock and pop will blow you away because it's done outside the system with an attitude to match. With a songbag that pulls from many outlaw quandrants (like the Marx Bros.), there's nothing here that adults won't find a great break from "Deck the Halls". Let the good times roll.
-10/14/02"
Best album yet from the Christmas Jug Band!
Al | 12/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anybody with a sense of humor that also appreciates good swing-style jazz or jump-blues will play this CD all year, and not just during the Christmas season. There is enough musical talent assembled to fill out a 6 CD box set, with mainstays of Dan Hicks, Paul Rogers, Austin de Lone, Tim Eschliman, and several others. Also includes guests Norton Buffalo and Maria Muldaur. The CD itself is artfully printed, just like the jewelcase cover, and there are decent liner notes for a change (thanks Globe Records).
The 12 jumping tracks include (original songs noted by writer):1. Santa Lost a Ho (Paul Rogers)
2. Santa's Workshop (Dan Hicks)
3. Hey Santa (Austin de Lone)
4. Ain't That Cold (Tim Eschliman)
5. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
6. These Christmas Blues (Dan Hicks)
7. Plant a Santa (Paul Rogers)
8. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
9. Lonesome Reindeer Blues
10. Don't They Know It's Christmas? (Tim Eschliman)
11. Santa, You Got What It Takes
12. Silent NightSuprisingly, lots of spirit and soul in that last track. And not a dud amongst the 12. If you are buying for a gift, make sure to get one for yourself..."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1