Big Harp George – Big Harp George Does Christmas
Blue Mountain Records
11 tracks
Eleven new holiday tracks for Christmas and the New Year are featured here on chromatic harmonica ace Big Harp George’s new Christmas CD. There are a plethora of people who supported the project as noted throughout. Keys are handled by Chris Burns. Derrick D’Mar Martin does most of the drums and percussion. Joe Kyle Jr. also handles most of the bass work. Michael Peloquin (tenor) and Doug Rowan (baritone) are the sax portion of the horn section and on trombone is Mike Rinta. Last and certainly not least is Kid Andersen on guitar for all tracks. A special shout out also to the Sons of the Soul Revivers whose backing vocals on four cuts is excellent, too.
“Bad Santa” begins the album, a jump blues about not wanting bad Santa being in his home for fear of the good of his wife, daughter and dog. Nice harp work and a fun set of lyrics make this cool. Guitar , organ and all the players help set the tone. “Carioca Christmas” offers up a nice Latin vibe and George’s ringing and rousing chromatic sounds. Horns, flute (Ben Torres) and organ make this even better. Santa’s reindeer go on strike for the next cut. There is trouble at the North Pole in “Reindeer On Strike.” The elves are apparently scabs and the reindeer aren’t getting what they deserve, so it’s time for some labor action. Another fun cut with a great sound!
“War On Christmas!” follows, a jump blues about Fox News calling out all the red bloods to take action. AR-15 in hand, the bubbas hit the street on Christmas Eve and take out that red clad commie on the neighbor’s roof. A great tongue in cheek take on the fake announcements of the war on Christmas and the tables turn as the bubbas take thoughtless action. “Snow Shuffle” is a slick and cool instrumental of West Coast Blues and George’s amazing chromatic sound. Aaron Lington adds his baritone sax on this cut.
“Coquito Girl” is another Latin influenced tune with a Caribbean sound. Rum and coconuts for Christmas and some excellent sax and harp! “Where I’ll Be for Christmas?” follows, a swinging track George had laid down with Little Charlie Baty in 2018. Cool guitar for sure as George delivers a slick performance. This cut laid he foundation for this Christmas album to evolve from. Alexander Peterson is on drums here and Kid Abdersen plays bass.
‘Fireside Waltz” is next up, with piano, harp and guitar leading this three step instrumental tune that makes the listener want to get up and dance to the music. It’s Strauss meets Southern California. “Thee Three Rings” features harp and tells the story of the three kings. Not Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, but Freddie, Albert and B.B. And what better than the three blues kings to celebrate Christmas with? George does a cool job and the guitar sounds of each of the three kings are featured in this number. Ed Morrison blows some nice trumpet on this track, too.
“That Grinch In Me” pays homage to the Seuss character as George sings in a contrarian manner dissing the symbols of celebrating Christmas. It’s another fun cut. The sax and guitar lead the way with Big Harp George giving us his take on the scene. The album concludes with “It’s New Years Eve” including it’s own countdown. Harp and piano lead the charge into the New Year and Bay Area soul great Tia Carroll takes the vocal lead for this one and June core is on drums.
This is a cool set of new Christmas tunes that will aid in raising the holiday spirit and make your Christmas and New Years bright. Recorder at the famed Greaseland Studios, Big Harp George gives us a fun set of original /’;cuts and fine performance to enjoy – well done!
