You know The Gregory Brothers from their series of "Auto-Tune The News" videos, which later became "Songify" as they took their talents beyond the bounds of just news. I mean, really, you can't call it auto-tuning the news when you're taking a video of someone enjoying a Five Guys burger and turning it into something as epic and musical as "Oh My Dayum" (although, for obvious reasons, I'm partial to "The Cat In Center Field"). But, anyway, The Gregory Brothers are so famous for their viral creations that it's less well known that they are a talented musical group as well. Truthfully, you'd have to be to do what they do with "Songify"; each of those videos is an original song. But I digress.
The Gregory Brothers, as a singing group, have released a handful of records, beginning with "Meet The Gregory Brothers" in 2009. And you might not be aware that they do an annual Christmas show, as well. So it's about time they got around to recording a Christmas album. There's no auto-tune and no news on "Sleigh Ride/Fireside", just sweet sweet music.
The Gregory Brothers, as a singing group, have released a handful of records, beginning with "Meet The Gregory Brothers" in 2009. And you might not be aware that they do an annual Christmas show, as well. So it's about time they got around to recording a Christmas album. There's no auto-tune and no news on "Sleigh Ride/Fireside", just sweet sweet music.
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1. O Come, All Ye Faithful
2. I Don't Want Anything For Christmas 3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4. Those Traditions We Do 5. Auld Lang Syne 6. Go Tell It On the Mountain 7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 8. What Are You Doing New Years Eve 9. New Year's Eve 10. Christmas Lullabye 11. Christmas in Prison 12. Still, Still, Still |
"Sleigh Ride/Fireside" is available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats and will be officially released on November 15. I mention that up front because, on our List, I've put it on the 16th. It's completely arbitrary on my part; there are just times I get tired of seeing every day with one release (what happened to "universal Fridays"?). Anyway...
"Sleigh Ride/Fireside" takes advantage of the old vinyl configuration by presenting two sides of the holiday. The "Sleigh Ride" side is more upbeat and festive, while the "Fireside" side is mellower...a chance to unwind from the "Sleigh Ride" festivities, as it were. The album opens with "O Come All Ye Faithful", which seems an odd choice to open the festive side. Maybe The Gregory Brothers traditionally begin their annual festive festivities caroling an old carol. I'd have thought maybe, I dunno, "Sleigh Ride"? Just sayin'. But, that said, it's an exceptional Country and Gospel meet 70s FM radio arrangement that does stick to the ribs in the best possible way.
Likewise, "I Don't Want Anything For Christmas", which I presume to be an original, is a wonderful melding of traditional Jazz Pop vocals and Western Swing (with accents of Big Band and Gypsy Jazz). One of the things I listen for when I hear a new Christmas song is how it might fit in the pantheon of classic Christmas music. And you could easily imagine "I Don't Want Anything For Christmas" on an album by Gene Autry or Peggy Lee or Bobby Helms or Django Reinhardt or Count Basie or, for that matter, on the telly as some champagne music from Lawrence Welk. Dare I say it (dare, dare), it's wunnerful wunnerful.
Back around 2010, The Gregory Brothers offered up a free download of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" (technically as by Sarah & The Stanleys). It was a fantastic Jazzy/Bluesy arrangement. For "Sleigh Ride/Fireside", they've kept the great arrangement, but souped it up considerably. It's as if Santa traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a Maserati. They're making the same trip but doing it in greater style. For my money, this is the highlight of the album. And, though I confess I haven't been keeping track, it might be the first time ever that Gandhi has been name-checked in a Christmas song.
If you thought perhaps The Gregory Brothers would leave behind their quirky sense of humor, "Those Traditions We Do" is the song for you. It's sort of a twisted cross between Rudy Valle, Perry Como, and Weird Al. Just be glad you aren't Uncle Joe (but why am I telling you/It's the same thing that you do). Then we get a 60s soul version of "Auld Lang Syne" that includes what sounds to me like an original second verse (which is cool; you know "Auld Lang Syne"...you hardly even listen to it, its so familiar. So you're sitting there and, all of a sudden your ears perk up and you go, "Well that's new."). And the "Sleigh Ride" ends with "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (as heard above).
The "Fireside" set kicks off with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". I love this arrangement, which I'd place somewhere between 1959 and 1962 (sort of Santo and Johnny meet "A Summer Place"). But even better are Sarah's vocals on this one; she absolutely kills it. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is pretty straight forward crooner with some excellent Jazz sax.
"New Year's Eve" (a third New Year's tune?) sounds like another original to me. This one has the feel of a Leon Redbone tune and features great lyrics and some fine and Bluesy guitar work. Sarah serenades us sweetly on "Christmas Lullabye" and one of the nicest versions of "Still Still Still" I can recall. Sandwiched between those two is a fairly faithful rendition of "Christmas In Prison".
"Sleigh Ride/Fireside" is a thoroughly enjoyable listen...more as foreground than background (though that'll work too). And it's the kind of record that sounds better with each successive listen, which isn't always easy to pull off. Production is impeccable and the musicians are all on their game. There is a bit of a split personality that has nothing to do with the festivities/unwinding split. How to put this...hmmm. I found myself liking "Sleigh Ride/Fireside" from two distinct parts of my Christmas head. On the one hand, it appealed to the part of me that (just like you) fell in love with those "Christmas Cocktails" collections. On the other hand, there's a decided undercurrent throughout of 60s Soul/R&B...which turns out to be just the special seasoning "Sleigh Ride/Fireside" needs to set it apart.
I just have one bone to pick with The Gregory Brothers. Why do you call yourselves The Gregory Brothers when the most enchanting voice belongs to Sarah? It wasn't The Cornelius Brothers, it was The Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Shouldn't it be The Gregory Brothers and Sister Sarah? Or is it just too late to turn back now? Ahhhnnnnd those groans are my cue to get outta here. Peace.
"Sleigh Ride/Fireside" takes advantage of the old vinyl configuration by presenting two sides of the holiday. The "Sleigh Ride" side is more upbeat and festive, while the "Fireside" side is mellower...a chance to unwind from the "Sleigh Ride" festivities, as it were. The album opens with "O Come All Ye Faithful", which seems an odd choice to open the festive side. Maybe The Gregory Brothers traditionally begin their annual festive festivities caroling an old carol. I'd have thought maybe, I dunno, "Sleigh Ride"? Just sayin'. But, that said, it's an exceptional Country and Gospel meet 70s FM radio arrangement that does stick to the ribs in the best possible way.
Likewise, "I Don't Want Anything For Christmas", which I presume to be an original, is a wonderful melding of traditional Jazz Pop vocals and Western Swing (with accents of Big Band and Gypsy Jazz). One of the things I listen for when I hear a new Christmas song is how it might fit in the pantheon of classic Christmas music. And you could easily imagine "I Don't Want Anything For Christmas" on an album by Gene Autry or Peggy Lee or Bobby Helms or Django Reinhardt or Count Basie or, for that matter, on the telly as some champagne music from Lawrence Welk. Dare I say it (dare, dare), it's wunnerful wunnerful.
Back around 2010, The Gregory Brothers offered up a free download of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" (technically as by Sarah & The Stanleys). It was a fantastic Jazzy/Bluesy arrangement. For "Sleigh Ride/Fireside", they've kept the great arrangement, but souped it up considerably. It's as if Santa traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a Maserati. They're making the same trip but doing it in greater style. For my money, this is the highlight of the album. And, though I confess I haven't been keeping track, it might be the first time ever that Gandhi has been name-checked in a Christmas song.
If you thought perhaps The Gregory Brothers would leave behind their quirky sense of humor, "Those Traditions We Do" is the song for you. It's sort of a twisted cross between Rudy Valle, Perry Como, and Weird Al. Just be glad you aren't Uncle Joe (but why am I telling you/It's the same thing that you do). Then we get a 60s soul version of "Auld Lang Syne" that includes what sounds to me like an original second verse (which is cool; you know "Auld Lang Syne"...you hardly even listen to it, its so familiar. So you're sitting there and, all of a sudden your ears perk up and you go, "Well that's new."). And the "Sleigh Ride" ends with "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (as heard above).
The "Fireside" set kicks off with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". I love this arrangement, which I'd place somewhere between 1959 and 1962 (sort of Santo and Johnny meet "A Summer Place"). But even better are Sarah's vocals on this one; she absolutely kills it. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" is pretty straight forward crooner with some excellent Jazz sax.
"New Year's Eve" (a third New Year's tune?) sounds like another original to me. This one has the feel of a Leon Redbone tune and features great lyrics and some fine and Bluesy guitar work. Sarah serenades us sweetly on "Christmas Lullabye" and one of the nicest versions of "Still Still Still" I can recall. Sandwiched between those two is a fairly faithful rendition of "Christmas In Prison".
"Sleigh Ride/Fireside" is a thoroughly enjoyable listen...more as foreground than background (though that'll work too). And it's the kind of record that sounds better with each successive listen, which isn't always easy to pull off. Production is impeccable and the musicians are all on their game. There is a bit of a split personality that has nothing to do with the festivities/unwinding split. How to put this...hmmm. I found myself liking "Sleigh Ride/Fireside" from two distinct parts of my Christmas head. On the one hand, it appealed to the part of me that (just like you) fell in love with those "Christmas Cocktails" collections. On the other hand, there's a decided undercurrent throughout of 60s Soul/R&B...which turns out to be just the special seasoning "Sleigh Ride/Fireside" needs to set it apart.
I just have one bone to pick with The Gregory Brothers. Why do you call yourselves The Gregory Brothers when the most enchanting voice belongs to Sarah? It wasn't The Cornelius Brothers, it was The Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Shouldn't it be The Gregory Brothers and Sister Sarah? Or is it just too late to turn back now? Ahhhnnnnd those groans are my cue to get outta here. Peace.
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