Keith Christmas
Band members Related acts
|
line-up 1 (1969) - Keith Christmas -- vocals, guitar, percussion
backing musicians: (1970) - Gerry Conway -- drums, percussion - Pat Donaldson -- bass - Mike Evans -- bass - Shelagh McDonald -- vocals - Roger Powell -- drums, percussion - Bob Stewart -- autoharp - Keith Tippett (RIP) -- keyboards - Ian Whiteman -- synthesizers
backing musicians: (1974) - Richard Brunton -- guitar - Mel Collins -- sax, flute - Martin Drower -- trumpet - Malcolm Griffiths -- trombone - Neil Hubbard -- guitar - Skalia Kanga -- harps - Pearse Kelly -- drums - Henry Lowther -- trumpet - Ian MacDonald -- keyboards - Eddie Mordue -- sax - Tommy Reilly -- harmonica - Darryl Runswick -- bass - Adrian Shaw -- bass - Pete Solly -- synthesizers - Alan Spenner - bass - Ian Wallace -- drums - Ray Warleigh -- sax - Will Watson -- French horn - Dave Wilkinson -- keyboards
supporting musicians: (1976) - Peter Bernstein -- backing vocals - Michal Boshears -- srynthesizers - Steve Cropper -- lead guitar - Donald "Duck" Dunn -- bass - Dabid Kemper -- drums, percussion - Daniel Moore -- backing vocals - David Nicterne -- guitar - Dean Olch -- flute - William "Smitty" Smith -- keybaords - Snuffy Walden -- lead guitar - Wendy Waldman -- backing vocals
|
- Esperanto - Magic - Weatherman
|
|
Genre: rock Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Fable of the Wings Company: Polydor Catalog: 24-4511 Country/State: Wivenhoe, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: US pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $30.00
|
Does acid-folk exist as a musical genre? Not sure, but if it does then 1970's "Fable of the Wings" might be a good example of the genre. Like his debut album, Keith Christmas' sophomore collection was released in the UK on Tony Stratton-Smith's B&C label (catalog number CAS 1015). Polydor subsequently acquired US distribution rights, slapping on bland, alternative cover art before pushing it out almost a year after seeing it's UK release. I've always wondered why Polydor bothered with the effort since they made zero effort to promote the album in the States - not that it sold well in the UK.
Again produced by Sandy Roberton who had been a longtime Christmas proponent, Christmas' sophomore release featured seven original compositions. Whereas the debut surrounded Christmas with a strange country-rock flavor, this time out tracks like 'The Fawn', 'Kent Lullaby' and the hyper-speed title track showcased his folkie roots. The other half of the album surrounded Christmas with an impressive line-up of English jazz and rockers including keyboardist Keith Tippett and Mighty Baby members Mike Evans and Roger Powell. Whereas I found his debut LP bland and under-whelming, mixing it up musical styles made all the difference in the world. Nah, you weren't going to mistake Christmas for a heavy metal act, but collaborating with outside musicians seemed to bring out his creativity and sense of adventure. Jazz and rock collaborations like 'Waiting for the Wind to Rise', 'Lorri' and 'Hamlin'' were easily the album's highlights. Others will disagree, but it's my favorite Christmas LP.
"Fable of
the Wings" track listing: 1.) Waiting for the Wind to Rise (Keith Christmas) - 6:16 rating: **** stars Powered by Keith Tippett's wild piano and Mighty Baby's Mike Evans's pounding bass lines, I've always loved the weird jazz-meets-folk backing on 'Waiting for the Wind to Rise.' The energetic musical backing more than made up for Christmas' fragile and quivery lead vocals. As good as Christmas' original was, try to track down Scottish singer/songwriter Shelagh McDonald's cover (it's found on her 1970 debut collection "Shelagh McDonald Album" (B&C catalog number CAS 1019) 2.) The Fawn (Keith Christmas) - 4:57 rating: **** stars 'The Fawn' featured a Fairport-styled folk ballad - just Christmas accompanying himself on acoustic guitar (easy to see why Bowie wanted him in his touring band); Bob Stewart on autoharp and the lovely Shelagh McDonald on backing vocals.. Perhaps the prettiest song in Christmas' catalog. 3.) Lorri (Keith Christmas) - 8:26 rating: **** stars 'Lorri' sported a melody that instantly grabbed my attention. Singing in a lower than normal range, Christmas' multi-tracked vocals were also impressive. Commercial isn't an adjective I normally associate with Christmas, but this one's jazz-rock moves definitely had FM potential - particularly when Keith Tippett and the rest of the band kicked in.
(side
2) It took me a couple of spins to realize that 'Kent Lullaby' wasn't based on some medieval traditional English folk tune, rather was a commentary on the Kent State massacres. Built on a beautiful melody that showcased Ian Whiteman on church organ, this one had the insight and subtlety missing from CSN&Y's 'Ohio'. Yeah, I can hear CSN&Y fans screaming for my keyboard. 2.) Hamlin (Keith Christmas) - 6:17 rating: **** stars Showcasing Christmas' fragile voice, 'Hamlin' started out as just another pretty ballad. When Keith Tippet's jazzy electric keyboard and Ian Whiteman's synthesizers kicked in and the tune steered into an extended jam the song earned a fourth star. 3.) Fable of the Wings (Keith Christmas) - 4:30 rating: **** stars With a lyric that dared to underscore the costs of drug addiction, the double-speed title track may be one of the songs he's best known for. Just Christmas and acoustic guitar, this one's a true tour-de-force ... how in the world did he keep the frenetic pace up for four and a half minutes? I found an online forum where Christmas talked about the track: "Fable of the Wings is one of those showing my prowess as a solo acoustic guitarist story songs which is fine for those who appreciate such skills. I am a bit of a Philistine in that respect but some punter on You Tube commented that it blew his mind, so it may be me. Live it would have been great but I can take it or leave it, but I do appreciate the playing." Looking and sounding good, YouTube has a clip of Christmas performing the song at a July, 2013 appearance at the Village Pump Festival: Fable of the Wings Live 2013 (youtube.com) YouTube also has a clip of Christmas showing you how to play the tune: HOW TO... play Fable of the Wings (youtube.com) 4.) Bednotch (Keith Christmas) - 3:22 rating: *** stars The album's weirdest composition, 'Bednotch' managed to bounce between '50s rock, jazzy moves and ominous night-crawler lyrics. I still don't have a clue what it's about.
|
|
Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Brighter Days Company: Manticore Catalog: MAS-503S1 Country/State: Wivenhoe, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: original inner sleeve Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5781 Price: $20.00
|
So here's one of those journeymen British artists who's been recording since the late 1960s, accumulating a modest recording catalog along the way, but never really generating much attention in the States (or really in his native UK). That said, the funny thing about Keith Christmas is that he's quite talented and has had a couple of brushes with near success, including recording an album with support from the critically acclaimed Mighty Baby and providing support on David Bowie's debut album.
1974 saw Christmas continuing his corporate wanderings, this time out signed by Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Motown affiliated Manticore label. As home to one of the era's bigger selling acts in the form of ELP Manticore had the resources to break Christmas to a broader audience, but naturally it didn't happen. Working with Greg Lake and Pete Sinfield in the production chair (the two working separately and together), 1974's "Brighter Day" was considerably more diverse and commercial than his earlier offerings (see my comments on the individual songs). As such it probably came as somewhat of a shock for longtime fans. On the other hand you couldn't really blame the guy for wanting to breakthrough and attract a bigger audience. For his part Christmas had one of those voices that wasn't particularly commercial, but had a quirky appeal that grew on you if given a chance.; particularly when he avoided reaching for the higher registers. The album was also noteworthy for the extensive list of guest musicians including members of ELP and King Crimson. Best of the lot was the blazing opener which offered a take-no-prisoners condemnation of modern society set to a rollicking melody. Shame nothing else on the album came even close. Not a masterpiece, but intriguing and more than enough to make me look for some of Christmas' earlier offerings. I'll let you know what I think when (if) I ever stumble across those items since they're apparently quite rare.
"Brighter
Day" track listing: 1.) Brighter Day (Keith Christmas) - 6:15 rating: ***** stars Wow, the album started out with a totally unexpected move - a slamming slice of horn-propelled funk !!! Hard to imagine Christmas' voice would sound decent in a funk groove, but the man somehow managed to pull it off. Combined with some of the most biting, bitter social commentary you'll ever hear (all of it still appropriate some five decades later). Amazing performance and other artists treading in social commentary should hand their heads in shame ... The tune was released as the album's leadoff single:
- 1974's 'Brighter Day' b/w 'Sweet Change' (Manticore catalog number K 13057) 2.) Foothills (Keith Christmas) - 3:58 rating: *** stars A more typical Christmas effort, 'Foothills' was an interesting ballad featuring some cheesy 1970s Moog synthesizer from Pete Solly. To my ears the pastoral track had a distinctive Stevie Winwood and Traffic flavor. Since I like Traffic, that wasn't a bad thing. 3.) Country Farm (Keith Christmas) - 2:54 rating: * star In case you couldn't guess, 'Country Farm' found Christmas trying out a country-flavored, mid-tempo number. I've never really understood English fascination with country music, but I'll take that as a personal shortcoming. For some reason this one's always reminded me of a Paul McCartney and Wings throwaway. Still, the song sucked. YouTube has a clip of Christmas playing the tune for a 1975 appearance on the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test program: 'Country Farm' Live, The Old Grey Whistle Test 1975 (youtube.com) 4.) The Bargees (Keith Christmas) - 6:00 rating: ** stars 'The Bargees' was a patented sensitive singer/songwriter effort. Pretty and very long, but not particularly memorable to me.
(side
2) Complete with harps, 'Lover's Cabaret' started out as an extremely fey ballad, but about halfway through morphed into a cool jazzy piece, went back to the touchy-feely vibe, and the back to the jazzy mode. Should've stuck with the jazzy feel. 2.) Robin Head (Keith Christmas) - 4:49 rating: ** stars 'Robin Head' pulled a page out of the Fairport Convention catalog of English folk tunes with a nod and wink towards recreational pharmacology. If you liked that renaissance feel you'll be okay. Otherwise, well on to the next song. Also taken from an appearance on the BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test program, YouTube has an acapella version of the song at: OGWT Robin Head (youtube.com) Strange to see him smoking on television (and having a brief coughing fit). 3.) My Girl (Smokey Robinson - Ronald White) - rating: *** stars The original UK pressing didn't include Christmas' cover of 'My Girl' leaving you to suspect that it was added to the US pressing in a misguided attempt to increase the album's commercial potential. Talk about grasping at marketing straws ... To his credit Christmas didn't totally butcher this Motown classic, but you had to wonder what the point was. Musically it really didn't stray that far from the original (good thing), but Christmas' high pitched, uncomfortable delivery wasn't a great deal of fun. I'll give it an extra star for Christmas' seeming affection for the tune. The track was released as an instantly obscure single in the US and the UK:
- 1974's 'My Girl' b/w 'My Girl' (Manticore catalog number MA 7004F). - 1974's 'My Girl' b/w 'Country Farm' (Manticore catalog number K-13509) 4.) Could Do Better (Keith Christmas) - 4:48 rating: **** stars Apparently an autobiographical ditty, 'Could Do Better' was about as close to the blues as you were going to get. The funny thing is that featuring a full-out rock arrangement, the song actually had a catchy groove that kind of sucked you in. Nice change of pace from the folkie moves. 5.) Song Of A Drifter (Keith Christmas) - 3:02 rating: *** stars Another mid tempo folk ballad, 'Song Of A Drifter' included a pretty melody and some nice electric guitar from Neil Hubbard. Imagine Al Stewart without the historical underpinning and you'll get a taste of what to expect.
Hard to imagine that they expected Terea Sohn's cover art to attract legions of American fans ...
"Brighter Day" track listing: (UK pressing) (side 1) 1.)
Brighter Day (Keith
Christmas) - 6:15
(side
2)
For anyone interested, Christmas has an entertaining website at: http://www.keithchristmas.co.uk/
|
|
Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Stories from the Human Zoo Company: Manticore Catalog: K-53509 Country/State: Wivenhoe, UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: UJ pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5781 Price: $30.00
|
Following the
release of 1974's "Brighter Days", seemingly like
half of the UK population, Keith Christmas relocated to Southern California,
spending the next two years writing and recording material for what was
released as 1976's "Stories from the Human Zoo."
Christmas
"Stories
from the Human Zoo" track listing: 1.) The Dancer (Keith Christmas) - 4:28 rating: ** stars Very different than his earlier work, 'The Dancer' found Christmas dipping his toes into country-tinged Americana. Kind of a Band vibe going on here but the melody was bland and the horns and heavy orchestration all but sank the tune. Always wondered why Manticore released the tune as an English single:
- 1976's 'The Dancer' b/w 'The Astronaut (Who Wouldn't Come Down)' (Maniticore catalog number K 13515).
2.) The Nature of the Man (Keith Christmas) - 3:28 rating: *** stars Bouncy boogie rock track ... not a bad performance, but ultimately Christmas' fragile voice just wasn't suited for the the song's vibe. 3.) Golden Rules (Keith Christmas) - 4:10 rating: *** stars Surprisingly this blues-rocker was quite enjoyable. Once again Christmas didn't have the kind of voice you'd expect to do well in this genre, but he somehow pulled it off. 4.) Souvenir Affair (Keith Christmas) - 2:53 rating: ** stars 'Souvenir Affair' offered up a pretty, fragile ballad that showcased Christmas' voice better than some of the more rock-oriented tunes. One the other hand, if you weren't a big fan of fragile, pretentious ballads, then this was going to be a chore to sit through.. 5.) The Last of the Dinosaurs (Keith Christmas) - 4:33 rating: *** stars Weird country-tinged tune ... I've listed to the lyrics dozens of times and am still clueless what the storyline is about.
(side
2) Thematically and musically the blues-rocker 'The Astronaut (Who Wouldn't Come Down)' was the album's most interesting tune. Always wondered if Christmas' relationship with David Bowie (he played guitar of the "Space Oddity" album) had any influence on the tune. 2.) High Times (Keith Christmas) - 6:19 rating: *** stars As 'High Times' rolled along the song's rock quotient steadily built up. The album's sleeper tune that's grown on me each time I play it. 3.) Tomorrow Never Ends (Keith Christmas) - 4:01 rating: *** stars A pretty acoustic ballad 'High Times' was one of the few tracks to remind me of his earlier catalog. 4.) Life in Babylon (Keith Christmas) - 5:40 rating: **** stars Not sure if Christmas played it, but I've always liked the opening lead guitar on 'Life in Babylon.' This atmospheric melody was also the track that finally convinced me Christmas was capable of recording a true rock song.
With the album vanishing into cutout bins Christmas packed up and headed back to the UK. He essentially dropped out of music, paying his bills working in construction and then becoming a schoolteacher. He continued to write and perform for his own enjoyment, playing local pubs and recording a string of self-financed collections.
|
BACK TO BADCAT PAYMENT INFORMATION
Naturally
the original UK release (Manticore catalog
number K-53503) sported a different cover and a slightly
different
track listing - the UK album featuring another Christmas original 'Gettin' Religion' versus
the US pressing's cover of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 'My Girl'.
True Christmas wasn't the greatest lookin' guy you'd ever seen (not that I
should be pointing a finger), but gawd
only knows why Manticore marketing elected to slap different artwork on the
US release. 
'
second and final album for Manticore Records, it was also his last solo
album for the next twenty years. Featuring nine Christmas originals,
the collection was recorded in Los Angeles with Michael Boshears
engineering and producing. With backing from a slew of US and UK
studio musicians including the legendary Steve
Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and Snuffy Walden, musically this one
was a curiosity. I've
always liked Christmas' fragile, forlorn voice, but with
the exception of the ballads 'Souvenir
Affair' and 'Tomorrow
Never Ends', his earlier folkie roots were largely abandoned in favor of
more rock-oriented stabs at Americana. Perhaps had I not been familiar with
his earlier catalog this album would have made more of an impression on
me. It just took some time and effort to get acclimated to hearing him
surrounded by full rock accompaniment. Once I reached that point it
then took a couple of spins to reinforce by original feeling that this was a
mixed success. Yes it was interesting to hear Christmas doing a bouncy
boogie rock number ('The Nature of the Man', or a blues number ('The Last of
the Dinosaurs'), but ultimately, with the exception of the enigmatic
blues-rocker 'The Astronaut (Who Wouldn't Come Down)' and the blazing
closing rocker 'Life In Babylon' (one of the best things he ever recorded),
there wasn't a lot that
struck me as "hey I want to hear that one again".