A Kaleidoscope Christmas is an album by Michael Falzarano, credited to "Michael Falzarano and Extended Family". It contains eleven original Christmas-themed songs, plus a jam band-style cover of "Jingle Bells". It features Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Pete Sears, Jeff Mattson, Jason Crosby, and Kerry Kearney. It was released on November 24, 2020.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| A Kaleidoscope Christmas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Michael Falzarano and Extended Family | ||||
| Released | November 24, 2020 | |||
| Studio | Chris Laybourne Studio | |||
| Genre | Country rock, Christmas[1] | |||
| Label | Hypnotation | |||
| Producer | Michael Falzarano | |||
| Michael Falzarano chronology | ||||
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Michael Falzarano is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as a member of Hot Tuna and the New Riders of the Purple Sage.
Critical reception
editIn Americana Highways John Apice wrote, "The foot-stomper swayin' music is arranged with expertise with illuminating performances. Nothing hokey-pokey – it's well-done & engaging. Few Christmas songs today match the classics from the '40s through the '60s but this is a worthy addition to that household.... This isn't your grandma's Bing Crosby or Johnny Mathis Christmas songbook except for maybe the lone cover "Jingle Bells", decorated brilliantly in a Hot Tuna decor."[3]
In Glide Magazine Doug Collette said, "When is a seasonal album not a seasonal album? When the artist who made the record, in this case, the Michael Falzarano Extended Family, illustrates how the sentiments permeating the music are worth savoring at times beyond the holiday proper.... Michael Falzarano hardly hogs the spotlight here, but it’s clear he set the tone for these sessions with a distinct lack of artifice."[4]
In American Blues Scene Don Wilcock wrote, "But wait. There's more, as they say on the TV ads. There's a Santa's sleigh full of 13 other great musicians including such San Francisco heavyweights as Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Pete Sears, and Professor Louie... Kaleidoscope Christmas is perfect for the veteran music aficionado who wants their seasonal cheer a little deeper than the usual kitsch."[5]
On Grateful Web Nicole Lise Feingold said, "I especially like when renowned artists develop holiday albums. It demonstrates they aren't pretentious, but rather have a playful perspective appealing to a cross section of generations. Falzarano's twelve tunes build upon the genres of blues, country rock, boogie woogie and improvisation jams making the music familiar but still uniquely his."[1]
Track listing
editAll songs written by Michael Falzarano, except "Jingle Bells", traditional, arranged by Falzarano
- "Yes It's Christmas Time Again"
- "Ho Ho Ho"
- "The Tree Nobody Wanted"
- "Jingle Bells Jingle Jam"
- "4:20, 12/24"
- "The Eggnog Shuffle"
- "It's a God Almighty World"
- "A Psychedelic Cowboy Christmas"
- "Bethlehem Requiem for Diana"
- "Christmas Blues"
- "Boogie Woogie Christmas"
- "You're Still Standing"
Personnel
editMusicians
- Michael Falzarano – guitar, vocals
- Jorma Kaukonen – guitar
- Jack Casady – bass
- Pete Sears – Hammond organ, piano
- Jeff Mattson – guitar
- Jason Crosby – Hammond organ, piano, fiddle
- Kerry Kearney – guitar, slide guitar
- Tom Circosta – guitar, backup vocals
- Klyph Black – bass, backup vocals
- Dave Diamond – drums
- Clare Maloney – backup vocals
- Nate DeBrine – backup vocals
- Professor Louie – Hammond organ, clavinet, backup vocals
- Miss Marie – backup vocals
- Rob Wolfson – guitar
- Waynard Scheller – Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes piano
- Scott Guberman – Hammond organ, backup vocals
Production
- Produced by Michael Falzarano
- Mixing: Michael Falzarano, Dan Skye
- Mastering: Toby Mountain
- Cover art: Kamala Towns
- Layout: Russ Paladino
References
edit- ^ a b c Feingold, Nicole Lee (November 14, 2020). "Michael Falzarano – A Kaleidoscope Christmas – Review". Grateful Web. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Browne, David (December 14, 2020). "Song You Need to Know: Michael Falzarano's "The Eggnog Shuffle"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Apice, John (November 19, 2020). "Michael Falzarano & Extended Family "A Kaleidoscope Christmas" is Foot-Stomper Swayin' Filled with Cheer". Americana Highways. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Collette, Doug (December 18, 2020). "Michael Falzarano Extended Family Generates Rootsy Holiday Buzz on 'A Kaleidoscope Christmas'". Glide Magazine. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Wilcock, Don (December 15, 2020). "Michael Falzarano and Extended Family's 'Kaleidoscope Christmas' Is a Perfect Blend of Christmas Cheer". American Blues Scene. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Adelberg, Ron (November 13, 2020). "NRPS' Michael Falzarano and Extended Family Release "A Kaleidoscope Christmas"". Grateful Music. Retrieved May 19, 2021.