December 22 seems like a bad time to drop a Christmas album, particularly if you need to promote it heavily because it's a fundraiser for a worthy cause, in this case Direct Relief, which provides aids to the victims of the devastation caused by the late fall 2018 California wildfires. Nevertheless, the calendar rules, and these folks didn't let that deter them from donating their time and talent to aid a worthy cause. Overall, this is a professionally made album, mostly pop, kicked off by the traditional jazz rendition of "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)" by Mac Demarco, who turns up later in a very Broadway version of "12 Days of Christmas." On both songs he's assisted by guitarist, vocalist and collection producer Kirin J Callinan, who also takes the lead on a similarly showtune-y rendition of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." For the rock fans out there in the readership, you'll want the version of Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Neil Finn's sons Liam and Elroy, a faithful cover of the original version. Versions of "Last Christmas" by Eddie Chacon, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by Alex Cameron and Jack Ladder, and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Holiday Sidewinder are likewise close to the original arrangements. Weyes Blood performs the typical midnight mass arrangement of "O Holy Night," and Molly Lewis whistles "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night." Go to Bandcamp and grab this to support wildfire relief and get a head start on next year's holiday playlists. Or add it to your Orthodox Christmas playlists.
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