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Nothing worse than taking a traditional Christmas song and messing it up by any genre. I just heard Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all on the radio and I am about sick to my stomach.Next thing we know someone will come out with a rap album called "Deck the Ho's" -- no difference than this.
This is a very good Christmas album done "Western Swing" style. It's a lot of fun. All the songs here are good, but my favorite is probably "Merry Texas Christmas, You All", which is a cover of an old Gene Autry song. If you enjoy country music that is more "traditional" sounding than most contemporary country music, you should get this album.
This is not one of those deadly-serious Christmas albums (which I also enjoy but in a different way) - it is obviously intended as a party album and makes ideal background music for Christmas.Many of the songs will be familiar, but some are given new treatments, like Swingin' drummer boy and Swingin' silent night.The set opens with a great version of Feliz Navidad, on which Ray Benson is joined by Tish Hinojosa (a brilliant but vastly under-rated singer) continuing with an amusing look at Christmas in jail and maintaining a light-hearted approach throughout. Fellow Texan Willie Nelson is featured on a couple of duets.I always think that this type of album must be the hardest to record - it would be very easy to end up with something mediocre, but Ray and the boys have shown, once again, that it's possible to record an album of high quality which is also FUN.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Tish Hinojosa and knowing the band Asleep at the Wheel for years and their coupling with TEX Mex plus keeping the sounds of Bob Wills alive, not to mention the incredible vocals of Don Walser, who is totally unknown to many. Yes I am a record reviewer and I've worked with many labels in my time, plus djing. Its a great taste of a blend of music that would give the listener a taste of fine music for years to come.this CD for the many that are on it, is a 4star to me.
Even as a non-country fan, I still enjoyed this bands up-beat and happy sound. If only it had been longer.
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