Title:Christmas Caravan By: Squirrel Nut Zippers Released by: Mammoth Records Released on: 1998 Rating (out of 10): 7 Date: 12/20/2001
Honky Tonk Holiday
What too many traditional holiday songs lack is a genuinely distinctive “flavor.” They may have begun as regional folk tunes, but most have, over time, acquired a fairly generic sound to convey a more universal message of joy, cheerfulness, or reverence. Not that this is a bad thing, but there simply isn’t enough colorful, bluesy, and downright funky Christmas music out there. Fortunately, the Squirrel Nut Zippers have done music lovers a great service by creating a Christmas album in their own style, which, for the uninitiated, is a mix of blues, bluegrass, and swing. On Christmas Caravan, the Zippers have created a blend of original and classic holiday tunes in their own way, and the result is a CD that is at times deeply sad, sometimes funny, and always cozy, like having a bunch of good friends over for a holiday jam session (and lots of well-spiked egg nog).
The album has ten songs, yet it goes by so quickly it barely feels like a full-length release. The fun begins with “Winter Weather,” featuring the seductive voice of Katherine Whalen singing the praises of days when it’s cold enough to cuddle. The next tune, “Indian Giver,” sung by Jim Mathus (as on their other albums, the Zippers alternate male/female vocals on Christmas Caravan), is much fun and quite bluesy (if not exactly politically correct). “A Johnny Ace Christmas” is Whalen again, doing what she does best: a tearful slow jam along the lines of “Danny Diamond” from their debut album—not exactly recommended for anyone who happens to be going through a bad case of the holiday blues.
Once again, they prove they can go from jumpy rockabilly to slow and soulful without missing a beat. At first glance, “Evergreen,” is a beautiful Mathus song of praise to the perennial tree, but it’s also a tribute to any lasting love. The jazzy instrumental version of “Sleigh Ride” is simply the best I’ve ever heard, and the fact that they include the lyrics on the lyric sheet even though not a word is sung is a nice touch. “I’m Coming Home for Christmas” is dripping with old-fashioned country sound and sentiment, and “A Carolina Christmas” is bursting with honky tonk bluegrass charm. Then they break out the fiddle for a clever retelling of “The Gift of the Magi” (a Whalen/Mathus duet).
“Hot Christmas” is another swingin’ instrumental, perfect for dancing around the tree. The album closes with the offbeat yet charming “Hanging Up My Stockings," which features a cool acapella intro. Be sure to wait for the hidden track for a nifty little surprise.
The only thing holding this album back from getting a higher rating is that while it’s thoroughly enjoyable, it lacks the inspired touches of other SNZ releases. Yes, they’ve always stuck to the swing/rockabilly/bluegrass formula, but on most of their other albums they were able to bring something more to it. What makes songs like “La Grippe,” “Anything But Love,” and “Hell” so special is not just that they are done in a determinedly “unhip” style (at least until the short-lived swing revival awhile back), but they take that style and make something quite unique out of it. If you are familiar with SNZ’s other albums, the songs on Christmas Caravan tend to have a “by the numbers” feel. Still, it’s a formula that works for them, nobody does it better, and it sure beats another musak version of “Winter Wonderland” all to heck.
