Customer Reviews

We Three Kings (Dig)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, somehow I picked up the Rev's first-ever Christmas album even before the two Brians' 2005 holiday discs (the sainted Wilson and the slick Setzer, that is). As Santa said of Rudolph's first jump at the Reindeer Games in that classic Rankin-Bass "Rudolph" special, not bad! Not baaaad!
There are a lot of cool and interesting goodies in this Christmas stocking, enough to please most of the Whos at your local Whoville. The disc has a chunk of Chuck Berry, and not just the album-closing "Run Rudolph Run" (with the Rev, aka guitarist Jim Heath, trading instruments with his bassist, Jimbo Wallace). It actually starts with track 1, the full-tilt boogie-woogie version of "Frosty the Snowman." The credits don't list the pianist, but "Winter Wonderland" also has a lot of that Berry/Johnnie Johnson interplay, straight out of "You Never Can Tell." There's also a bit of blazing Berry/Johnson boogie-woogie sharing space in the unlikeliest of places: alongside a mad-mod-surf "Batman" swirl on "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
Other yummy flavors in the Rev's holiday petit fours assortment include a slap-bass rockabilly hoedown instrumental of "Jingle Bells," a Ray Charles-type gospel-meets-country-ballad version of "Silver Bells," a snarky, dirty, bottom-heavy, finger-popping rockabilly swing through "Rudolph," a hoedown of "Santa on the Roof," and an instrumental of "What Child Is This" that tosses around country, surf, spaghetti western, even a little bit of Traffic and Hendrix. That's to go along with faithful versions of Elvis' "Santa Bring My Baby Back" and Buck Owens' "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy."
The only soft spot is Heath's voice. The Rev's rasp is well suited for his patented rockaswingapunkabilly raveups, but certainly not smooth enough for the likes of "Silver Bells" and "Pretty Paper," or even "Santa Bring My Baby Back." But hey -- you know what? This album is such a high-spirited affair, and the Rev, Jimbo and Scott Churilla, the drummer, have been such good boys this year, that Santa can overlook that shortcoming. They should find a little something extra under their trees for spreading such cheer.

Tired of insipid, dull Christmas albums? Look no further. It swings, it rocks, it makes Christmas music not only bearable, but fun! You may actually find yourself listening to this gem even after Christmas is over (gasp!). This album also has a sort of universal listening appeal, your grandparents will enjoy the retro quality and you'll enjoy the fact that it rocks. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!

This was a great idea from the rev ro put out a christmas album. I really enjoyed this cd. It was better than all those slow kenny g christmas albums. This albums rocks and rolls. He picked out great songs to play such as an excellent version of "Jingle Bells". It had a wonderful guitar and an awesome bass. Overall i really liked this album. The only thing remotely negative about it is probably the pace, some of the songs would of sounded cooler if they were a little more fast but its not a big deal. I really liked this album.

This CD was the first really good Rock and Roll XMAS CD I have ever heard from an individual artist. I was shocked that Yep Roc did not do a better job getting this into stores and out there for public consumption. I did not see this in any retail outlet. "Jingle Bell's" simply smokes, and "Santa looks a lot like Daddy" was an instant classic to me. As mentioned in earlier reviews, the Rev's vocals did not exactly fit some of the slower #'s, but overall, this CD is a XMAS classic, and rocks like hell, WOW. It will be interesting to see if it is looked upon down the road as a landmark XMAS release for Rock and Roll fanatics.

Pretty darn good. The Rev's voice isn't exactly made for Christmas tunes... as a result there are a few tracks that aren't quite up to par with the rest of the album. BUT!!!! The instramental numbers are wonderful! They are a great chance for the boys to let fly and show just what good musicians they really are. Hard to believe that the same guys that did Bales of Cocaine and 5-0 Ford could make a Christmas album, but the pulled it off. Enjoy!

but then again I have ALL the Reverends albums, and it's not just because Jimbo lives nearby in Deer Park Texas land!

If you want a Christmas music but you're tired of all the classic heard 10,000 times versions, this one is for you.

If you want a Christmas album with a steel guitar, this one is for you.

If you want a Christmas album focusing heavily on the music and a little less on the vocals (great for background music at a party) this one is for you. Especially if the rockin' side of Southern is what you're after.

If you're a fan of the Reverend look no further.

If you're looking for something traditional and boring to keep your stuffed suits and busy bodies from raising flags and criticizing you for doing things "outside of traditional" go somewhere else.

I love these guys - well, I love some of their songs outside of this album, and the lead vocalist is great for delivering his particular style of vocals, and not the ballad-like vocals required of some pieces in here - he's out of his element. Five of these tracks are a good addition to my holiday party music, but not as much fun as the Ventures or Los Straitjackets or Brian Setzer.

This is not your mom's Xmas CD but it is fun. A cool different twist to the holiday season!

I'm never one to say I dislike xmas music, but it does tend to get tiresome by the end of December, so it's always good to hear some new ones. The Reverend did a killer job with this one, got some nice heavy takes on a few classics and a couple pretty great originals that should become classics. I had this on heavy rotation throughout the holidays, my family and friends loved it, and if you're into Horton there's no way you won't like it. Also right up there with the Squirrel Nut Zippers' xmas album, and, dare I say, Elvis. Or maybe not, but it sure blows mariah carey outa the water.

If you've got We Three Kings and Elvis' Christmas album you're set for the holidays.