Benny & the Jets Band, Merry X-mas (independent, 2004) This six-song EP is a music Christmas card from Benny & the Jets Band to you. The album is full of sonic frolic as it is a smiling, joking -- dare I say jovial -- season's greets. The opening mock-live "X-mas Boogie" sets the mood: rocking and hilarious. "X-mas Wish" is a reggae Xmas tune that I wish I had known about years ago when I was substituting on a reggae radio show on Christmas Eve and a caller requested holiday music, but I did not want to break form too much. The album is full of funny asides and soundbites, like the "brrr" in the background of "...what fun it is to ride/In a one-horse open sleigh..." on "X-mas Bells." The real standout track here, though, is the yuletide genius of "X-mas Dittie." It is, with sax solo, a medley of "Who Do You Love," "Hey, Bo Diddley" as "Hey, Santa Claus," and "Hush Little Baby (The Mockingbird Song)" with its lyrics of buying diamond rings and more. [ visit the Benny & the Jets Band online ] |
Rambles.NET music review by Tom Schulte 18 December 2004 Agree? Disagree? Send us your opinions! |