There are a number of Christmas songs that have been done to the death--songs that were pretty annoying from the jump. "Blue Christmas"? To me, there can be no redemption for that song. The very best and most original arrangements of "Blue Christmas" are (to me), at most, tolerable.
But most of the otherwise overdone and annoying Christmas songs can be saved by a truly original approach. And one such song is "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". The Jimmy Boyd version, of course, sports some retro charm, I'll buy that. And, when I think of that song, my thoughts go immediately to John Mellencamp's version. Well here's another one to tuck in your rolodex.
Citrus & Katie (that would be lead vocalist Katie Howard, I'm guessing) turn "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" into some funky Cosmic Jazz. And its really, really cool. The arrangement grabs you right from the beginning, while Katie's vocals entice you to take this ride all the way. And just when you figure you've lost the Jazz thread a bit, they change the song up on you and, oh, man, at that point, you're a goner for sure. Andre Flores deserves to be singled out for the nimble sax solo on the back end. But all them cats is playing it groovy. And then...they stick the landing with a bit of glockenspiel and the tone of a bell.
The band hails from San Diego and they're as smooth as an ocean breeze. It's a little bit Steely Dan, a little bit Jazz Crusaders, a little bit Parliament, a little bit Psych, a little bit Indie Pop, and a little bit vintage torch singer. You'll find all that and more, if you start unraveling the threads. Just can't understand why you'd do that, though, when--all together--it's such a beautiful tapestry. Citrus & Katie delivered "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" just before last Christmas and I'd advise you to not only grab this one from Bandcamp, but to linger awhile and check out their other stuff (especially the single "Be My Ride"/"Pop Song (Whisper To Me)"). Everything Citrus & Katie have at Bandcamp is available either Free or as a Name-Your-Price. Their music is also up on SoundCloud. Then you can stop by the band's Facebook page and say, "Hello. Where have you been all my life?" They, of course, will promptly notify the authorities and secure a restraining order. So, yeah, best keep it simple and just hit the "Like" button. That'll do.
But most of the otherwise overdone and annoying Christmas songs can be saved by a truly original approach. And one such song is "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". The Jimmy Boyd version, of course, sports some retro charm, I'll buy that. And, when I think of that song, my thoughts go immediately to John Mellencamp's version. Well here's another one to tuck in your rolodex.
Citrus & Katie (that would be lead vocalist Katie Howard, I'm guessing) turn "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" into some funky Cosmic Jazz. And its really, really cool. The arrangement grabs you right from the beginning, while Katie's vocals entice you to take this ride all the way. And just when you figure you've lost the Jazz thread a bit, they change the song up on you and, oh, man, at that point, you're a goner for sure. Andre Flores deserves to be singled out for the nimble sax solo on the back end. But all them cats is playing it groovy. And then...they stick the landing with a bit of glockenspiel and the tone of a bell.
The band hails from San Diego and they're as smooth as an ocean breeze. It's a little bit Steely Dan, a little bit Jazz Crusaders, a little bit Parliament, a little bit Psych, a little bit Indie Pop, and a little bit vintage torch singer. You'll find all that and more, if you start unraveling the threads. Just can't understand why you'd do that, though, when--all together--it's such a beautiful tapestry. Citrus & Katie delivered "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" just before last Christmas and I'd advise you to not only grab this one from Bandcamp, but to linger awhile and check out their other stuff (especially the single "Be My Ride"/"Pop Song (Whisper To Me)"). Everything Citrus & Katie have at Bandcamp is available either Free or as a Name-Your-Price. Their music is also up on SoundCloud. Then you can stop by the band's Facebook page and say, "Hello. Where have you been all my life?" They, of course, will promptly notify the authorities and secure a restraining order. So, yeah, best keep it simple and just hit the "Like" button. That'll do.
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