Album Review: Various Artists — An East Nashville Christmas

When Santa Claus comes to town this year, surely his first stop is going to be East Nashville, where the spirit of Christmas shines brightly and where he’ll be able to dance and sing the night away in the midst of a thriving community of immensely gifted musicians. Producers Antonia Cove and Phil Harris have gathered an all-star cast, ranging from Sam Bush and Kenny Vaughan to Chris Scruggs, Julie Lee, and Mike Farris, among others, including a reunion, for the first time in a dozen years, of BR549’s original lineup, who contribute time and talents to record both new and standard Christmas songs on this benefit the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.

You’re bound to find a new favorite on this eclectic collection, whether it’s the Kenny Vaughan Trio noodling smoothly and soulfully on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”—the Vince Guaraldi Trio of Charlie Brown fame has nothing on Vaughan, organist Charles Treadway, and drummer Paul Mabury—or the swaying palms of Grace Adele with Brazibilly’s Hawaiian-inflected “Christmas Island,” or BR549′s humorous and poignant shuffle about spending Christmas Eve stuck on the road in “A Truck Stop Christmas.” Chris Scruggs kicks off the Christmas gathering by asking “Will You Sleep Inside This Christmas?” in a haunting tune written especially for this album. There are the party songs—”They Shined Up Rudolph’s Nose,” performed by the David Mayfield Parade—the traditional religious songs—”What Child is This/Away in a Manger,” performed by Sam Bush—and the toasts to good health—”Auld Lang Syne,” performed by Off the Wagon. So, spin this album, dance along, sing along, laugh, cry, and raise a glass to the good tidings and love that this season brings into the world even as your purchase of the album helps the many who won’t be sleeping inside this Christmas.

Preview or purchase An East Nashville Christmas