You could fill up Santa’s workshop with the sheer number of rock and roll Christmas records that have been released throughout the years. Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Smithereens, and Bob Dylan, among many others, have all brought forth yuletide albums to celebrate the season. This year, New Jersey’s British Invasion-inspired rockers The Weeklings are treating us to a delightful gift with their new disc, Christmas.
The first single is a clever inter-mingling of the beloved holiday tune, “Must Be Santa”, with The Beatles’ classic “Helter Skelter.” This inspired mash-up transforms the light-hearted song into an all-out, pedal to the metal rocker. That track sets the tone for a marvelous record filled with the band’s energetic and inventive interpretations of several holiday classics, along with a stocking’s worth of fantastic original tunes.
The track list includes the group’s exceptional renditions of much-loved titles like “Run Rudolph Run”, and effervescent originals like “Gonna Be Christmas.” There’s even a clever ode to “Festivus,” that “holiday for the rest of us.”
The band’s well-established love for the music of The Beatles is evident throughout the record, with snippets of their music sprinkled across several tracks, including “Baby Got Something For Me,” and “Joy,” the album’s opening medley, which also includes a nod to the music of Queen. “Revolution Wonderland,” is a remarkable union of “Winter Wonderland and “Revolution,” and the band also offers up a terrific version of the Fab Four’s “Christmas Time Is Here Again.”
The group’s line-up includes Lefty Weekling (aka Glen Burtnik) on bass, guitars, and vocals; Zeek Weekling (aka Bob Burger), on rhythm guitar, bass, and vocals; Rocky Weekling (aka John Merjave) on lead guitar and vocals and Smokestack Weekling (aka Joe Bellia) on drums, percussion, and vocals.
Lefty and Zeek composed the fabulous original songs included on the record. All four band members provide their usual top-notch musicianship, aided and abetted by guest stars The Ocean Avenue Stompers Horn Section, and the Red Ryder BB Gun Singers choir, who add another dimension to the band’s marvelous sound on the disc. Their sterling work is clearly evident on two of the more reflective tracks on the album, “Star Carol,” and “Another Year.”
From enjoyable mini-tunes like “Christmas Keeps Coming” and “December” to full-length songs like the Dylanesque mash-up “Christmas Day,” this album is filled with joyous, inventive, and clever songs. Christmas is a worthy addition to the celebrated pantheon of rock and roll Yuletide albums, and it’s a whole lot of fun.
“Must Be Santa,” will be delivered to the world on November 22, followed by the full album’s release on November 29. Christmas should absolutely be added to your holiday playlist, so make sure to get a copy before “Christmas Day” passes you by!
-John Visconti
Fair use image from The Weeklings Christmas
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