Christmas 2011 ~ More magic from The Overtones...

Oh! You scared me :) Hello there and christmas greetings faithful reader. It's less than two weeks to Christmas and panic buying has gripped the nation. My panic buying involves consuming as many Praline Mochas at Starbucks as possible before they remove them from their menu. That and snapping up as many braces and bow ties as possible (see pic here for today's effort!) Which of course put me in the mood for some new festive toons from my beloved The Overtones. And lo, a star appeared in the sky and guided me to iTunes where the 3 seasonal songs they released last year have reappeared along with a whole new recording. It's a Christmas miracle. read on before I get carried away!!

A VERY OVERTONES CHRISTMAS...

Last Christmas (I gave you my heart), I wrote this about the Christmas covers The Overtones boys had added to their particularly fine, and still very fine (see tomorrow's best albums of year list!) debut album Good Ol' Fashioned Love...

"The rather adorable Overtones boys (my fashion gurus for Christmas parties) have recorded not 1, not 2 but - *SCREAM* - 3 new recordings of Christmas classics for your seasonal imbibing! YAY! Their debut album is already a giddy treat of 50s-60s doo-wap harmonising with a modern twist and they weave their tightly knit vocals round the festive selection perfectly. While White Christmas and Winter Wonderland are particularly fine, Sleigh Ride definitely stands out with a resonant intro from Lachie before launching into a finger clicking, string aided edition of one of the most joyous seasonal tunes around. And check out the performance below - there are ties, cravats and bow ties, all too cute dance moves, leaning in with the microphone and a genuine impression that they are having the time of their lives. Absolutely magnificent :)"

I totally stand by those wise, enthusiastic, well written (!) words, although I will add that I didn't give White Christmas and Winter Wonderland their due. The former (view a live performance on Scottish tv here) has a gorgeous, playful doo-wop beginning before the smoothly harmonised, Lachie crooned melody and backing vocals kick in. Actually I hesitate to say backing vocals because each contributing vocal by the boys is as essential to the track as the melody line - and this is a large part of the charm (and talent) of The Overtones. This certainly continues when Timmy takes over melody vocal detail and the song sparkles and glides like a gently falling, very beautiful snowflake. The latter has beautifully slowed down tempo to intro the track before a horn infused, jingling bell instrumental picks up the tempo and the boys do what they are best at - creating an entirely fun and magnificent singalong song. Oh and loving the almost Beach Boys rockabilly middle 8 breakdown! BLISS!

As if these three songs weren't enough, a fourth one has been added to the collection - and it's one of my very favourite Christmas songs, if only because the title sums up how I feel about this holiday period. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year is a classic that had better be performed well and Mark, Mike, Tim, Darren and Lachie certainly did not let me down. It's a sonically massive big band version with a production value that reminds me of classic hollywood movies; their vocals imbued with a joy and love for their work that shines forth, and that gives the track it's gleeful nature. They help you visualise this picture perfect scene with their delivery of the tune - it's evocative and totally brilliant. A fitting end to a magnificent year. Sigh. What a fanboy I am :)