What a genius idea to have Melissa Carper make a Christmas album, and not just one the reprises the old great standards, but with mostly original songs, in that vintage sound and style she’s known for.
The post Album Review – Melissa Carper’s “A Very Carper Christmas” first appeared on Saving Country Music.
Traditional Country Christmas Music (#516.3), Country Kitsch (#578), and Jazz-inspired Americana (#570.8) on the Country DDS. You can’t make new old Christmas songs. There’s no way to instill shiny new tracks with the nostalgia and memories tied to old Christmas carols that make emotions well inside us when you hear them each December. Only time can grace a song with that gift. But if there’s anyone who can make a new Christmas song sound old and give it that hearthy, nostalgic feel, it’s Melissa Carper. Making songs that sound like they’re from the mid century or before when so many of the greatest Christmas songs were first recorded, that’s her specialty. There is no shortage of Christmas songs and albums released every year. What we’re always short on is albums and songs that aren’t just tired renditions of the same old tunes done in an almost perfunctory manner to pacify a record label or grab some cash. Albums that have withstood the test of time like A Very Kacey Christmas by Kacey Musgraves, or JD McPherson’s Socks are the exceptions, not the rules. But as you notice, they’re often done by artists who know how to work in sounds of the past. What a genius idea to have Melissa Carper make a Christmas album, and not just one the reprises the old great standards, which probably would have been great too. But if Carper was going to take the Christmas plunge, it was going to be with mostly original songs, in that vintage sound and style she’s known for, and with just enough camp and kitsch to make it entertaining. These aren’t Christmas songs. They’re Melissa Carper Christmas songs. Along with co-writers like her old duo partner Gina Gallina from the Camptown Ladies, her fellow Wonder Women of Country member Brennen Leigh, Western swing fiddle maestro Katie Shore, and Brian Martin of The Cowpokes, Melissa Carper rekindles some magic from the Ghosts of Christmas Past with 13 compelling original Christmas songs, and a couple of recognizable classics.
Remove the whole premise of this being a Christmas album, and you’ll still be impressed with the results as a musical work of art. This isn’t exclusively a vintage country Christmas album. It’s more interested in evoking a bygone era instead of minding some notion of genre. Fiddle and string ensembles, horns sections on certain songs, steel guitar, it’s all here and so exquisitely composed under the loving care of producers Andrija Tokic and Dennis Crouch, with musicians like Chris Scruggs and Emily Gimble contributing. Within the general approach of a country/roots/classic pop and jazz Christmas album, there is some rather incredible variety. “Crusin’ In Santa’s Sleigh,” is sort of a soulful rock ‘n roll song, and is one of the numerous songs that could become a country classic in the coming years. “Christmas in New Orleans” comes with a Cajun flavor as you can imagine. And a cover of “Please Come Home for Christmas” cut previously by Etta James and The Eagles gives the album a bit of familiarity you want from a Holiday music experience. But most importantly, this is a Melissa Carper record. Over the last few years, she has gone from an upright bass player strongly appreciated by her peers, to a premier front person in roots music who helped seed the appeal for performers like Sierra Ferrell. She brings such an eclectic brew of roots music to the table. “Cats in the Christmas Tree” shows off Carper’s signature humor. “Dumpster Divin’ on Christmas Eve” feels like another song that could become a cult Christmas classic. And the involved nature of “Oh Cheesball” illustrates the loving care that was put into this album. A Very Carper Christmas might officially be a seasonal release. And maybe 15 songs leaves a bit too much fat to trim on the ol’ Christmas ham. But it’s an album that slips into the Melissa Carper catalog without giving up an inch to her other offerings, while being something that folks who don’t even find much appeal in Christmas music can enjoy, with limited sleigh bells, or sappy/saccharine sentiments. It’s a Christmas album for the rest of us often disillusioned by the commercialization of the season.
Trigger, she’s released several great duets with Theo Lawrence this year, do you know if they have an album coming out together? I would love to see one materialize.
There’s is definitely something cooking between Melissa and Theo to look forward to. I’m not really at liberty to say much more at this point, but stay tuned for 2026. Theo Lawrence might have a really big year next year.
Funny, I have Melissa Carper’s “Daddy’s Country” CD, and now this, but the singer from the past that I hear in her is Billie Holiday. I have no idea if she cites Lady Day as an influence or as soemone who she listened to.
I love this album! She has such a unique voice. I love that it is mostly originals which you rarely get on most Christmas albums. Lots of great music.
Old Crow Medicine Show also has a new Christmas album that is originals and is also excellent too!
Source: savingcountrymusic.com