48 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!
Buy A Very Kacey Christmas here (Amazon UK)
I first fell for the musical stylings of one Ms Kacey Musgraves when a friend pointed me in the direction of The Trailer Song - and I, like many others, have been smitten ever since. Seeing as Christmas is my most favourite time of year, it is rather thrilling that Kacey has her inaugural festive album ready for public enjoyment in the form of A Very Kacey Christmas. The title is apt as she brings seasonal standards into her own style of music whilst adding 4 equally entertaining new tracks to the mix. There is a lovely convivial feel to the album, as Kacey brings in some guests to add a deeper layer of texture and vitality to some of the songs, yet she is always luminous in her own solo readings of these much loved classics. Whether pensive and reflective or happy and gay, there is something for everyone here as Kacey makes this season bright. And with tunes as endearing and as enduring as these, next season and the seasons after that...
As it states on the album cover, Kacey is bringing you songs of Yuletide joy - and she cements that mission statement with the gorgeous opening number, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. A shuffling percussion and vibrant electric guitars give this an undeniably country vibe and Kacey's earnest vocal brings the words into vivid focus. Add to this some lovely, languorous backing vocals and it makes for an enchanting introduction to the album. It also segues nicely into Let It Snow. The jingling bells and clip clop beats make for a vivid aural soundscape that conjures up images of the winter wonderland Kacey sings of. The hazy Hawaiian vibe to the song, combined with the enthusiastic fiddle make for an intriguing juxtaposition of musical styles. A few more nice touches come via the addition The Quebe Sisters who bring 40s radio star realness with their beautifully textured harmonies, and that piano outro is like the most exquisite of icicles hanging from the front porch. Lush. Christmas Don't Be Late seems to have an Austrian folk song aura, with Kacey the most gracious doll on a music box bringing an earnest yearning to the child like wonder of the lyrics. It would be too easy to have a wink with the audience while performing this song, but this approach is just delightful. That doesn't mean I forgo any right to enjoy a comedy video to accompany the track! The first original song on the album, A Willie Nice Christmas comes next and Kacey is joined by none other than Willie Nelson and Trigger. She & Willie do an excellent job of encouraging us to embrace the, uh, happy buzz of the season ("And may we all stay higher than the angel on the top of the tree" - which can be taken multiple ways). It is ridiculously catchy and gleeful, you'll be singing "hope you have a really, really, really, really, really nice Christmas" all the live long day, right through to New Years and possibly beyond. Now, does anyone else need a snack?
There is no doubting that A Very Kacey Christmas is also a very international Christmas. On Feliz Navidad, she takes us south of the border with a Mexican singing group giving an authentic feel to the titular refrain. The cha cha rhythms are bought to life with guitar and percussion, buffeting Kacey's honey dewed vocals with a shoulder shimmying groove that is all too hard to resist. Christmas becomes a bit more blue on another original creation, Christmas Makes Me Cry. It is true that while a feeling of joy and happiness can be heightened at the most wonderful time of the year, so can the aching and loneliness feel all the more sorrowful. Accompanied by an elegiac guitar riff, Kacey's vocal is imbued with a melancholy that will be all too recognisable to anyone who has felt the same. Delicate chimes feel like they are representing the tear drops and glistening strings add to the heartache so infused into the lyrics. If it all sounds depressing, it actually isn't - it is performed in a way that is entirely compelling, but also makes you feel a little better just knowing you are not alone in these sentiments. Present Without A Bow features Leon Bridges and examines how Christmas feels much better when you have someone there to enjoy it with you. The mid-tempo buoyant instrumental is an absolute triumph, instantly feeling like an old friend coming back to visit. Kacey and Leon's call and response vocals are mesmerising and embody the romantic nature of the soon-to-be-indelible words they sing. Back to back, these two songs are clear evidence that Kacey's new Christmas compositions will be around for many years to come - standing shoulder to shoulder with the luminary classics that surround them. Mele Kalikimaka (bringing back The Quebe Sisters) takes us back to Hawaii thanks to how the music crafts breezy island sounds that put you on a beach under a palm tree, no matter where you are in the world when you listen to this. One of my favourite versions of this is the Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters version - Kacey and The Quebe Sisters do a sterling job of taking us to 40s Hollywood movie magic with their interpretation. It is a joy to listen to and leaves you with a song in your heart.
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas has a title that encapsulates the whimsy and jolly of the season perfectly, with Kacey bringing an exuberance to this Gayla Peevey hit from 1953. There's a spunky cheekiness to it too that feels entirely fueled by a healthy amount of feisty mischief that gives the track a vibrant personality. At times the instrumental recalls the sassy aura of Dolly Parton's Nine To Five, at others the winking charm of Ruth Wallis but Kacey never loses her own identity as an artist in this rollicking good time of a track. *Adds hippopotamus to Christmas wish list at Amazon*. The scampish nature of the previous song shines through on Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - "well here's one for the little kids" states Kacey right before a slowed down ballad intro into the song. The pogoing instrumental soon picks up and this is destined to become a family/drunken friends singalong thanks to the communal nature of this inviting production. Across the album, Kacey has proved she's a gifted storyteller and this track certainly cements that into the Christmas history books. Ribbons and Bows has a hint of Motown and hand clap giddiness as Kacey presents her final original number of the album. While it is saturated in Yuletide musical magic, it definitely feels like a song that can be played beyond the season and enjoyed all year round (see Mr Right by Leona Lewis for a similar seasonal/all year round smash). Entirely glorious and completely addictive - you won't need ribbons and bows to cure your woes, just repeated listens to this song. Which means you do need Ribbons and Bows. I've confused myself so best move onto the final track - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? It is a stately, dignified and mellifluous end to an album that has been filled with introspective reflection and thrilling optimism. Just marvel at how gorgeous Kacey sounds before diving back into the album all over again - it really is a gift that will keep on giving.
**Ghosts of Christmas Past**
Mele Kalikimaka has been stuck in my head for the last week! This is a really good Christmas record. I have been listening on Spotify because I ordered the green vinyl which is not out until Nov 18.
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