Christmas, Jorma Kaukonen's 1996 Saturnalian themed CD, is a mixture of new songs and traditional music, with both instrumental and vocal tracks. It was recorded at Jorma's A-Frame Studios, in collaboration with Michael Falzarano and a few friends. Simple arrangements, acoustic guitars, and a rave-up jam at the end - what's not to like? The Seasonal flavor is not overwhelming, so it might be something you'll enjoy listening to year round. It's a fun record - not much for me to overanalyze!
Most of the tracks are built around Jorma and Michael's acoustic guitars, which are recorded nicely up in the mix. The three instrumental tracks make up the best of the CD. The first, "Downhill Sleigh Ride", is a great little number featuring Jorma picking a nice "broken record" riff (the boys had some fun with this in performance!) over sleigh bells and Fred Bogert's poppy bass. "What Child is This" features multi tracked electric guitar lines running through the song (à la "Martha"), behind an acoustic guitar and a synthesized flute playing the old Greensleeves melody. Dedicated to Bill Graham, and infused with an appropriate air of melancholy, this is a beautiful version of this traditional song. In "Journey of the Three Wise Men", two acoustic guitars and a swelling synth playing simple, repetitive lines create a hypnotic aural landscape. Although this tune might not appeal to some, as the emphasis is not on virtuosity, I like it.
Jorma thinks "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" is an annoying song (I kinda like it), so, in response, he sat down at the kitchen table with Michael and Ms. Lillian, and came up with his own novelty song, "Christmas Rule". The instrumentation is similar to "Downhill Sleigh Ride", with a nice, relaxed Jorma solo. The lyrics are a little awkward in spots, and strain a bit too hard to wring humor from a smart-mouthed Santa.
Of the two songs written solely by Michael Falzarano, "You're Still Standing" is the better of two. A New Year's Eve anthem, it's similar to the stuff on the Memphis Pilgrims' Mecca. "Christmas Blues" is a straightforward blues, nothing special. There's a Hammond in the background; it would have been nice if the player had ripped off a solo.
There's two more traditional songs on this record. Jorma cites Harry Belafonte's version of "Baby Boy" as the inspiration for making this recording. Here it's simply and quietly arranged; a little repetitive, but that's Christmas music, né? Vanessa and Fred Bogert sing "Silent Night" in an arrangement that is stone traditional, but evocatively so, with a nice high-end Jorma solo.
Christmas closes up with the extended "Holiday Marmalade" a jam (get it?) based on "Silent Night". It's okay as these things go, with a nice turn about three quarters in.
The packaging is simple, but appealing. A simple four "page" booklet features 20 (!) (legible!) photos of the co-conspirators. Not in your store? Contact Relix Records, PO Box 92, Brooklyn, NY, 11229.