"The Santa Cause" Christmas Collection
(Column from "The Maryland Music Monthly" newspaper)
"Dear Readers"
By Susie Mudd
One of my favorite things about our music and the people who make it is how often we come together to help each other. At times like these, the more we come together the better we feel. It's called "spreading the love", or so I am told. Sixteen DC bands came together to create The Santa Cause, Vol. 4. An organization dedicated to local children's charities, The Santa Cause is a wonderful thing.
And it gets better. On this disc are people like The Nighthawks who do "Blue Christmas". They are joined by people like Radio Mosaic, Tommy Lepson and the Lazy Boys (you should hear this cut, "Everyday's a Holiday"--Tommy Lepson, oh what a gift). And Cinema 8 does "Please Be Home for Christmas/Oh Darlin'" and it's excellent. You also get contributions from 3 Martini Lunch, Greg Smith, 2 Bare Feet (love the name), The Boones Farmers, Lynn Grunza, Quazi, Blue Jay Walking, Vapor and the DC Accidentals finish the disc. Hip Check's version of "Little Drummer Boy" knocked me out. It was simply great.
Of course you get all the standard Christmas fare, but you also get some fine original music too. A couple of cuts really shine. Most notably is "Angel (At the top of the Tree)" by Greg Smith; and "Hip Santa" is also a cool song. I truly enjoyed "Santa for President" by Blue Jay Walking.
Not only have these bands come together to create this disc, they are also putting out for a couple of benefit shows in the region. The CD release party will happen at The Hard Rock Cafe in DC. They will also do a show in Baltimore and one in Arlington. All promise magic; the disc is proof.
The Santa Cause, Vol. 4 is available right now. The cause is a great one. So far, this group has raised more than $12,000. for Children's Hospital. How sweet is that?