Christmas comes but once a year but for some people it never stops. Keith Christmas was born with this name and I can only guess what kind of jokes he's used to hearing. He nevertheless became a recording artist and is one of the few singers who have never issued an album -or even a lone single- of Christmas music (see what I'm talking about? with a name like that, puns just write themselves). His usual style was Nick Drake/Bob Dylan-influenced acoustic folk, although he also rocked on occasion. The closest he ever came to fame was playing acoustic guitar on Bowie's Space Oddity. By the late 70's he was poor and disillusioned and left the music business to do handyman work repairing old Victorian houses. Like with so many obscure and forgotten artists, internet helped him graduate from "loser" to "cult" status and gave him the chance to a second career (Now that's a real Christmas miracle!). This CD compiles tracks from both stages of his career, only missing the first (and folkier) albums. It starts off with "Robin Head" a medieval folk ballad given a 1960's twist: "It was in the forest of Sherwood, in the year 12 hundred and 10/Lived a pusher by the name of Robin Head, and his band of very merry men...The sound of merry laughter echoed through the forest green/ There was old Friar Tuck, with whom nothing rhymes, and Marion the Acid Queen/ Said Little John, 'let's have some mead', said Robin 'Oh what's the point? I'm tired of doing this Venison thing, let's go and roll a joint!". "The Dancer" has some groovy acid jazz organ, "Weatherman Blues" and "Corinne Corinna" are electric blues and "Light of the Dawn", "Stone with a View", "The Bargees" and "Mr Optimistic Me" country/folk. "The Astronaut", "Lie Down with the Devil" and "Life in Babylon" sport rocking electric guitars and Bob Dylan-ish vocals. "High Times" is a proggy song that sounds a bit like Caravan or Jethro Tull. "Getting Religion" is a sarcastic acoustic song that reminds me of Randy Newman and "Brighter Day" a soul protest song with funky brass as befits an album distributed by the Motown label. A lot of talented musicians help Keith out on those mid-70's recordings, including members of King Crimson, EL&P, The Grease Band and The MG's/future Blues Brothers. To round it up, I have a piece of advise for you: If you see an album by this guy, buy it-everybody loves Christmas! And another for Keith himself: Keith, whatever you do, if you have a daughter don't name her Mary! Sorry, couldn't resist...
**** for Robin Head, Lie Down with the Devil, High Times
*** for The Dancer, Stone with a View, The Astronaut (Who Wouldn't Come Down), Life in Babylon, Getting Religion, Brighter Day
** for Weatherman Blues, Light of the Dawn, The Bargees, Corinne Corinna, Mr Optimistic Me
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