22 Minutes of New Christmas Music: Steve Carlson’s “Christmas Wish”
When Steve Carlson dropped his latest album, Christmas Wish, I didn’t want to review it. I just wanted to snuggle on my couch in front of the faux fireplace and let the new tunes keep me warm. Even the brief snippet I wrote for The Riff felt like too much work. I did it anyway and thought, “That’s good enough.”
Thankfully, this fandom we all hold so dear keeps coming back for more. In this instance, an email discussion group I belong to started talking about the new Christmas songs. Suddenly the muse was back!
First, if you haven’t seen it yet, watch the “White Road” video, the only music video released from Christmas Wish so far.
To me, the video has the same hand-drawn comic strip vibe as the 1986 “Take On Me” by Ah-ha. The song’s lyrics are sweet, pure, and genuine. “White Road” also happens to be Tedra Ashley’s favorite track. (Why is Tedra’s opinion important? As a friend and fellow music enthusiast, I rely on her impressions to keep me honest when all I want to do is gush!)
Some folks may find the album a bit “over-produced.” However, that could be said for any song that uses an electric guitar as opposed to an acoustic. There’s no harm in an artist using the production process to fill in any blanks for something they feel is missing.
*****
I remember listening to an interview years ago with local Nebraska musician Chip Davis on the surprising success of Mannheim Steamroller’s first Christmas album. Chip relayed part of a conversation in which he’d been admonished, “Don’t record a Christmas album! It signals the beginning of the end of your career!” He’d been told by retailers not to do a Christmas album because folks would perceive that he was out of ideas.
Thankfully, Steve doesn’t subscribe to those philosophies, and he’s definitely not out of ideas.
Christmas Wish includes six tracks. Five of these are original Carlson creations. The one that isn’t, “Blue Christmas,” Steve renders beautifully in a fret-full homage to Elvis Presley’s version.
Curl Up for 21:53
I’m not going to give you the track-by-track assessment that I normally do. This time, just trust me. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate or a pot of tea, open your Spotify, and take the next 22 minutes for yourself.
Merry Christmas, Blessed Solstice, and fondest wishes to all of you for the best 2024 you can create.
— Chris C.
Enjoy more of Steve Carlson’s music with Christine’s commentary on one of his many Sunday Stage-It concerts, Reminiscences and Renegade Hair! Then expand your musical exploration of his and Jensen Ackles’ group, Radio Company, with an introduction, review and musical inserts from the album, Keep on Ramblin’ and their December 2022 live concert!
Please share your thoughts on Steve’s Christmas album below!
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