Before going any further, let me say (again) that "Christmas Eve" by Wonderlux is one of the highlights of this particular Christmas music season and you really need to check it out for yourself.
Since we published our original overview of the new Wonderlux Christmas set, "Christmas Eve", we've been provided a variety of assorted information...not all of it the same. Let's see if I can piece this all together.
Since we published our original overview of the new Wonderlux Christmas set, "Christmas Eve", we've been provided a variety of assorted information...not all of it the same. Let's see if I can piece this all together.
| 1. Snowballs & Highballs/Greensleeves 2. Tinseltown Nocturne/Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy 3. It Came From The North Pole/We Wish You A Merry Christmas 4. A Nightmare On Elf Street/O Holy Night 5. Swell Noel/Good King Wenceslas 6. Yuletide Moon/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/O Little Town Of Bethlehem 7. Mistletoe A Go Go/Silent Night PURCHASE DIGITAL FROM AMAZON PURCHASE CD (AVAILABLE SOON) |  |
THE BLUE HAWAIIANS You may or may not recall that the Blue Hawaiians attempted a Kickstarter campaign for a follow up to their brilliant 1995 album "Christmas On Big Island". They fell short of their goal (don't look at me; I pledged) and, the way Kickstarter works, if you don;t reach your goal, you get bupkis (that's, uh, Hawaiian for nothing). But they stated that they were determined to make this new Christmas album, one way or another.
Elsewhere in the universe, Grammy nominated producer Brad Benedict (Ultra Lounge, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and, yes, the Blue Hawaiians) started up a production company and label...which he christened Wonderlux. Blue Hawaiians founder/bassist/vocalist Mark Fontana clearly had this Christmas album concept on the brain. And, reading the original Kickstarter proposal, it becomes clear that Fontana's vision (Benedict already on board) is the vision behind the "Christmas Eve" album.
So the question becomes...is the Wonderlux album the proposed Blue Hawaiians Christmas album? Well, it is and it isn't. It's clearly the original vision, tweaked a bit. It was recorded at Capitol studios and produced by Brad Benedict, as first proposed. It is all instrumental, as the Blue Hawaiians record was planned to be. The proposed record was to be "Thirteen classic Christmas songs (two medleys make it 17)". "Christmas Eve" is 7 classic Christmas songs (one medley makes it 8), but each is combined with original music "inspired by" the corresponding traditional Christmas tune and most of the resulting tunes run between 5 and 7 minutes. So is the Wonderlux album the proposed Blue Hawaiians Christmas album? Mark Fontana, himself, says "No, alas it is not" (though he's quick to add that "it sure sounds like one").
Elsewhere in the universe, Grammy nominated producer Brad Benedict (Ultra Lounge, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and, yes, the Blue Hawaiians) started up a production company and label...which he christened Wonderlux. Blue Hawaiians founder/bassist/vocalist Mark Fontana clearly had this Christmas album concept on the brain. And, reading the original Kickstarter proposal, it becomes clear that Fontana's vision (Benedict already on board) is the vision behind the "Christmas Eve" album.
So the question becomes...is the Wonderlux album the proposed Blue Hawaiians Christmas album? Well, it is and it isn't. It's clearly the original vision, tweaked a bit. It was recorded at Capitol studios and produced by Brad Benedict, as first proposed. It is all instrumental, as the Blue Hawaiians record was planned to be. The proposed record was to be "Thirteen classic Christmas songs (two medleys make it 17)". "Christmas Eve" is 7 classic Christmas songs (one medley makes it 8), but each is combined with original music "inspired by" the corresponding traditional Christmas tune and most of the resulting tunes run between 5 and 7 minutes. So is the Wonderlux album the proposed Blue Hawaiians Christmas album? Mark Fontana, himself, says "No, alas it is not" (though he's quick to add that "it sure sounds like one").
JOHNNY RENO Though a post from Fontana, today, on the Blue Hawaiians' Facebook page includes credits for the other members of the Blue Hawaiians, the publicity one-sheet says the primary musicians on "Christmas Eve" are (aside from Fontana) the "house band" (in essence) for Wonderlux Music--a supergroup in their own right--Michael Lindsay (drums and percussion), Phil Gough and Marcus Watkins (alternating on lead and rhythm guitars), Fred Kron (piano, B-3 organ and curious keyboards), Savi Labensart (vocals, harmonies and opera-exotica), Tom Peterson (tenor and baritone sax), and Johnny Reno (saxophone solo on “Snowballs & Highballs").
Here's the bottom line, though. It really doesn't matter if it's a Blue Hawaiians Christmas album or not because it's freaking brilliant. For me, I'm happy that I didn't know the connection when I first heard it. That allowed me to hear "Christmas Eve" with completely fresh ears and no preconceived notions or expectations. And I actually identified a lot of what was going on ("Lounge Surf"?) all on my own (always happy when I get it right). Here's the official description:
Guitar-driven instrumentals featuring horns, percussion, “curious keyboards” and “opera-exotica,” these originals include elements of surf, psychedelic, lounge, rock, spaghetti western, exotica, a-go-go, film noir and blues that bring dramatic flair and an edgy mood to the sounds of Christmas.
And the BEST NEWS since we originally spoke about it.... there WILL be hard copy CDs of "Christmas Eve"! Possibly by the end of this week. $9 (Shipping within the U.S. included). Expect the official news of the CD arrival to be posted on the Blue Hawaiians Facebook page.
Final thought. Brad Benedict clearly has the midas touch. Wonderlux previously released an EP from Lynda Kay which is also freaking brilliant. Best thing she's ever done, IMHO. I can hardly wait for Lynda and Wonderlux to team up on a Christmas album (cough--hint, hint--cough). "The Allure of Lynda Kay". Check it out.
Here's the bottom line, though. It really doesn't matter if it's a Blue Hawaiians Christmas album or not because it's freaking brilliant. For me, I'm happy that I didn't know the connection when I first heard it. That allowed me to hear "Christmas Eve" with completely fresh ears and no preconceived notions or expectations. And I actually identified a lot of what was going on ("Lounge Surf"?) all on my own (always happy when I get it right). Here's the official description:
Guitar-driven instrumentals featuring horns, percussion, “curious keyboards” and “opera-exotica,” these originals include elements of surf, psychedelic, lounge, rock, spaghetti western, exotica, a-go-go, film noir and blues that bring dramatic flair and an edgy mood to the sounds of Christmas.
And the BEST NEWS since we originally spoke about it.... there WILL be hard copy CDs of "Christmas Eve"! Possibly by the end of this week. $9 (Shipping within the U.S. included). Expect the official news of the CD arrival to be posted on the Blue Hawaiians Facebook page.
Final thought. Brad Benedict clearly has the midas touch. Wonderlux previously released an EP from Lynda Kay which is also freaking brilliant. Best thing she's ever done, IMHO. I can hardly wait for Lynda and Wonderlux to team up on a Christmas album (cough--hint, hint--cough). "The Allure of Lynda Kay". Check it out.
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