Let’s Have a Rockin’ Christmas, Vol. 10 – Various Artists (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Christmas has always been a time for music that is either classic and highbrow or throwaway and, let’s say, of a slightly more obvious nature. So what if there was something that sits between those two extremes on the musical spectrum? What if there was something that fell neatly between the likes of Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” and the usual silly sing-alongs?

Well, there is, and those fine people at Bongo Boy Records have compiled the best of such music, songs that tick the boxes for Holiday cheer without lowering the benchmarks of what makes great music. Let’s Have A Rocking Christmas is their tenth compilation of such songs, so if you are looking for the perfect soundtrack for your festivities, don’t just put this on, put this on repeat!

Kicking things off is Monique Grimme and Sapphire Star Studios, with “Christmas is Coming, the Goose Is Getting Fat,” as the title suggests, a modern take on traditional lyrics and familiar imagery, a sax-soaked and serene duet that neatly blends groove and grace into a modern pop-hymn.

Inches From Sin is up next with “Christmas Time,” a blend of jaunty pop-rock that celebrates everything that makes the modern Christmas, a mix of joy and nostalgia, fun and thanks wrapped in a contemporary sound.

Monique Grimme and Sapphire Star Studios are back again with the elegant “First Snowfall Memory,” a seductive wave of lush sonics and deft and delicate guitar riffs, that perfect balance of pop accessibility and rock weight, commerciality and discerning creativity. And while we are talking about this evocative sound, there are two more contributions from this cool collaboration.

“Silver Dust and Mistletoe” is a blend of understatement and anthemics, a heady sonic wave delivered on a richly textured flow, not so much a power ballad but certainly a ballad built of controlled sonic power, and “My Favorite Part of Christmas” pulls a similar sonic trick. Ebbing and flowing between pop sophistication and powerful heights, it is a song with a deeper resonance, the tale of a person slightly unsure of their relationship, but who is constantly reminded of what really matters at this time of year.

Simonne Draper offers up something more traditional in the form of “Flowertina.” Here, her classical guitar rings out beautifully as banks of strings sweep, swoon, and soar around her: a timeless sound and a dexterous composition.

Boys ‘N’ Barry team up with Sandi Kight for a slice of 50s-infused, pop-soul, a fun and fabulous doo-wop singalong, and Inches From Sin’s “Jingle Jangle Jingle” proves to be a masterful blend of soul guitar licks and West Coast rock, a slick and sassy take on the Christmas standard.

Steve Contino asks the, not unreasonable question, “Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas,” a song that suggests the spirit of the season, the sense of community and cammoradarie, of empathy and understanding, of celebration and the spread of joy, before Jackie Kringle & the Elves deliver the title track, a Christmas cracker of a song wrapped in squalling guitars and buoyant basslines, howling harmonicas and a groove that demands that you get down and boogie…even if than means cutting a rug around the kitchen table! Go on, do it. You know you want to.

Something a bit different from Wayne Olivieri and DJ Chris Ibe: a pumping clubland tune, scintillating beats and hands-in-the-air grooves. “I Love Christmas Time” is for those who are still in action as midnight strikes and Boxing Day is ushered in, those of you who are still in the mood to party! After all, Christmas comes but once a year.

The album bows out in the most rock and roll way. Kristin Hope Ambuhl has a brilliant punk-sea shanty version of “I Saw Three Ships,” something that would give Dropkick Murphys a run for their money before The NEW Bardots see the year out with “New Year’s Lullaby,” a song that finds us in the Christmas aftermath, a New Year being ushered in, and work, bills and a return to normality looming!

What a blast, what a reminder of what Christmas music can be about, and what a great soundtrack to anyone’s holiday happenings!

Turn it up to eleven (bless you, Rob Reiner), eat, drink, and be merry….see you on the other side!