The Reverend Horton Heat "We Three Kings" 2005***

Who is the Reverend Horton Heat? Until now I had never asked myself that question, despite having 3 of their CD's. Well, they're a trio comprised by Jim Heath (AKA The Reverend) on guitar & vocals plus Jimbo Wallace on bass and Scott Churilla on drums and they've been going at it as far back as 1985. Their self-described sound is "country-fed punkabilly" and -given their music- I wasn't surprised to learn they come from Dallas, Texas. In 2005 they decided to put out a Christmas record covering their favorite holiday songs. For this one they've pulled all the stops and delivered a fun record for the whole family, giving their surf/psychobilly sound some jazz infusions. They're at their best when they're themselves though: "Run Rudolph Run" rocks its heart out and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" is a garage rock dynamite fusing Santa with Batman (the one from the 60's series, of course). "Frosty the Snowman" starts off slowly but soon turns to a hard rocker with wild boogie-woogie piano. "Santa Bring My Baby Back" is given a faithful rockabilly rendition and the ballads ("Silver Bells" and "Pretty Paper") are also played straight-not a great idea, that. The surf instrumental versions, on the other hand, are all cool: Jingle Bells, We Three Kings, What Child Is This and Winter Wonderland. "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" is  a country/rockabilly number and one of my favorites and "Santa on the Roof" is its psychobilly brother, a Reverend original that should be added to the classic holiday repertory. For once, I can summarize a whole album in just 3 letters: F-U-N. The Reverend are obviously having fun playing and you'll have fun listening.

**** for Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy, What Child Is This, Run Rudolph Run

*** for Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me), We Three Kings, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland

** for Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, Pretty Paper

Let me add my own personal holiday greetings to everyone to has wandered into this blog. Best wishes for a happy Christmas and great New year! Enjoy...