Customer Reviews

Merry Christmas From the Family Video [VHS]

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If you are a fan of Rober Earl Keen- I mean a fan of all his stuff from the rowdy staples "Road Goes on Forever" and "Copenhagen" to the skillfull subtle songwriting exhibited in No Kinda Dancer, and West Textures.

If this is you, then you will aprreciate this book. In short it is a hysterically illustrated version, verse by verse of his epic Chrismas Song "Merry Christmas From the Family". It is designed by esteemed Nashville graphic designer Buddy Jackson, and it is done with wit and humor in keeping with the songs' lyrics.(...)

Well, Robert Earl Keen himself said this was more of a greeting card than great literature. I think it's a delightful presentation of one of REK's best-loved songs. It's chockful of lyrics, pictures (did you know that Fran and Rita are both women?), recipes (for all those great drinks sung about), lists (10 Things You Can Do with Fake Snow, 10 Things You Won't Find in a Convenience Store), and Texas-style fun. And it includes a CD to boot, so you can listen while you read along. This is a hoot--and at this price, you can buy one for yourself and all your friends. Spread the love from the fam-o-lee!

I have loved "Merry Christmas From the Family" by Robert Earl Keen since the very first time I ever heard it. I was initially exposed to this song on a cable access TV show, "Viva and Jerry's Country Videos" (which is hilarious in its own right). I hadn't caught the name of the artist, so I called Viva herself and she told me to look up Robert Earl Keen. I did so, bought a couple of albums and generally liked them, but this song (and his video that goes with it) remains my favorite of his works.

This book/CD combination is very nicely produced and is basically a funny color collage telling the story of the song. The CD has my favorite version of the song on it so you can follow along if you want, or more likely just listen and laugh.

I have given several of these as gifts over the last few years and they always get rave reviews. It's kind of sad that there is more than a little truth in the song, but nonetheless it's funny, dryly tongue-in-cheek, and very well done. While this may never overtake "Silent Night" or "O Come All Ye Faithful" in the pantheon of the world's most popular Christmas songs, it has a unique charm that is like nothing else, and I recommend it highly.

This is by far the funniest thing I have seen, heard, and read in a long, long time! A must have for anyone with a sense of humor!

I am so thankful for Robert Earl Keen Jr., because if he had not 'quit his day job' to persue what he truly loves, music, my world would be a much less happy place. This book goes along with his famously funny Christmas song of the same title. The illustrations (and crafts- gotta love those tampon angles) that are in the book had me laughing out loud. Indeed, I plan to buy several copies for the rest of my family for Christmas!

Thank you REK!

I have always loved this song and was so glad that I bought this release with the book. The song is even better after reading the book.