The party can’t start without “Fat Santa.” Wealthy Elves take us ’round the block with some rap/rock mashup to get us there. “Get Some Santa Claus” is little story of a badass from Okra Pickles. Supremely dig the opening and would make it my ringtone if i could figure that out. BLUE ALERT! “Badass Santa” is busy indie from softbomb (Кузанкин Роман). Wait, is he Russian? Lee Harris impersonates a tinhorn big band for a ’50s western for kiddos in “Pistol Packin’ Santa Claus.” How have i not included this previously? Great stuff. Bah & The Humbugs determine who’s the “Boss of Christmas” with ..read more

Bunch of Believers turn ‘It Must be’ into a whole new ska game with “So Many Santas.” This is often a point AGAINST the Saint. And the comparison to JC doesn’t prop him up. But… it’s Ska! Cool. I Don’t Know Margo grunges country to give us an adoring “Secret Santa.” Kinda rocks. Allowing for the stupid fresh of Santa, Bob Seger & The Last Heard beseech with correct r’n’r reverence “Sock It to Me Santa.” Bud Logan reinterprets “Sock It to Me Santa” as electric country with disco twang. That IS different. The soul Saints Orchestra get back to the funk with “Santa’s Got a Bag of Soul.” This m ..read more

Rockabilly doesn’t usually get this chill, but Thee Elfmen lay licks into “Santa Santa” that induce duckwalking–at most. Not swinging, but cool. Jody Whiteside’s rock also holds back in “Sharing for Christmas.” But what’s so funny about good, cheer, and spirit? Amidst the grunge of “Rise, Santa, Rise” come the lyrics: The sky, is calling; The sleigh, awaits its king. But this metal attitude doesn’t frighten so much as pledge to the Kringle his due. Dipping a toe into psychedelia, Collaborateurs announces that Santa Claus is frozen Jello. Perhaps that’s only to rhyme with his epithet as a “Mell ..read more

Worth repeating: “When Santa Comes to Santa Cruz” is a bongo beating bag of brag on the bearded one. Surf rock, natch. Mushmouthed excitement from Nor’easterners Flooded Cellar. “Santa’s Gonna Roll into Town” seems to elicit much bell ringing. So it’s a big deal. “Spon End Santa” is a local figure of some note (around Coventry, England). David Goody pops the r’n’r to make him sound good. Australian Santa also seems cool, according to Jim Haynes. “Owyagoin’ Santa Claus” is the question for a proper bruce. Pop. “San Diego Santa” is actually cool ‘cuz he’s on vacation. Durnst & Friends slowly ..read more

Funky? Santa?? Boomdaddy starts our journey of discovery with a child’s garden of cool in their “Funky Santa.” Enough soul to appeal to the funk-impaired. Robert J. Walsh ups the gnarly quotient with “Funky Funky Santa.” Starting to lose control here. Wookiz layers in the ol’ whisper technique for more “Funky Santa.” A smattering of scat don’t hurt none neither. Unh! Lee Harris adds sexual innuendo to heighten his “Funky Santa.” He’s a saint’s saint. White Chimney’s “Funky Santa Claus” leads talky cool to soul-type rap. It’s a fab precursor to ’90s pop. Bamtone uses more music to muscle up the ..read more

Worth repeating: “Santa’s Got a Zoot Suit” by Dave Rudolph is jazzy blues that beats big band time. Straight from the fridge, daddio. Eddie Florano is perhaps not as impressed that “Santa Has a New Outfit.” It’s nice, but not superlatively so. Electronic, yet jazz. The Poptarts don’t quite add elan to The Man when they jazz diva “Santa’s the Man.” I believe them, but my eyes are rolling. Boss blues from The Christmas Jug Band ladles out how particular our red hero is when it comes to political affiliations. “Santa Don’t Go There.” ‘Nuff said. From the Mark and Brian Show, however, comes a more ..read more

Worth repeating: Martin Mull’s “Santafly” is disco down to funk. The Brian Setzer Orchestra · Albert Johnston Jr. · Leon Rene · Rafael Rene want you to “Dig That Crazy Santa Claus.” Jump blues that jives AND wails. I’m hep. D’modes plugs electric pop into rock while extolling that philanthropist who “Signs His Name with an S.” He’s so cool. {And IT’s cooler than Steve Earle & The Dukes‘s.} Party the Hut and Friends funks out when detailing the positivity of “Groovy Santa.” The Cat with the Bag, that’s who. Lounge lizard cool extends to “A Ring-A-Ding-Ding, It’s Santa.” Joel Kopischke smarm ..read more

Worth repeating: And i’ve repeated this before… Adolphe Adam slow blues the story of how Mr. Christmas began in the incomparable “Santa Had a Dream.” Nonstop on repeat, please. Maybe Santa started as a baby, a “Baby Santa“! Kevin! rocks the idea when this whiskerless, reindeer-milk-drinking infant would bungee down chimneys on his unbmilical cord. Listen to believe. Joel Kopischke returns with his “Santa Claus Saint Nicholas” (Alexander Hamilton parody). Rap, and yeah. That. Well, a taste of it. Nicole C Mullen features a spoken word story about the origin of The Winter Presenter in “St. Nick ..read more

Worth repeating: Lance Songs does kidsong a favor with loosey goosey word jazz set to a simple beat. “Santa, Eat Your Cookies” is as much invitation as celebration. Hahahaha, ho ho ho ho. ??? garage their appreciation of their ‘friend’ “Santana Claus.” No guitars wielded by this figure, but he’s got gifts. More confused in the mashup “O Santandoa” from Grammarchist. Global Warming crosses the old Jimmie St\ewart Civil War movie. It’s a fun mess. Four part harmony might mean Jay Stansfield is dead serious about “The Man in Red.” But it feels like fooling around. Altrock fun. Rayvon raps for Dis ..read more

Worth repeating: all-Rush Mixtape posit a Bread parody with “The Santa Man.” Soft rock paints you a chapter. A Beatles’ deep dive brings Colin & AJ to “Because.” It’s homage in an ironic age. Love it. The Mavericks’ party blues-rock the retro with “Santa Does.” Toy time is the right time. Hoorah. Piano bar lounge jazz bebop from Ralph Burns: my roof is his runway--! “Santa Claus is Near” is nearly a showstopper. “Santa Claus Is Comin Tonight” is Tom Dudley Blues Buddha dropping boogie rock about dropping off the presents. Hold on tight. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn ..read more