'Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets, Los Straitjackets (Yep Roc)

Can't argue with the squib on the cover of this 2002 disc, "13 Rockin' Christmas Instrumentals!" This Nashville-based instrumental combo specializes in the vintage rock instrumental sound of Link Wray, the Ventures and their numerous imitators. In fact, their version of "Sleigh Ride" is essentially the Ventures' original version, complete with quotes from "Walk, Don't Run." They rock up a dozen more, like "Jingle Bell Rock," "Marshmallow World," "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" superimposed over "Pipeline," and throw in a couple of originals, "Christmas in Las Vegas" and "Christmas Weekend." They end sedately with a cover of "The Christmas Song." Great work, something fans of vintage rock especially will appreciate. It went so nice, in fact, that a few years later they did it twice.