Santa's Boots.
Writing their Christmas cards early this year with 'Dear Santa', Puss N Boots wrap up a Christmas album like John Legend or She & Him tis season. As Antonio Banderas paws some baubles with those cats got the cream big eyes of his...oh wait, wrong Puss N Boots Christmas special. Not Shrek! We're talking about the American alternative, country blues act from Brooklyn, New York, formed by Norah Jones, Catherine Popper and Sasha Dobson in 2008. In 2014 they released their definitive debut, 'No Fools, No Fun' to rave reviews and a new career stage for Miss Jones. Who along with The Little Willie's and a new way of releasing music with this year's classic 'Begin Again' sessions is always looking to push the 'Come Away With Me' diamond envelope of her smoky, smouldering sound. On her 'Duets' album lifted from 'Genius Loves Company', Norah collaborated on the Christmas classic 'Cold Outside' with the late, great Ray Charles. But over the last year everyone from Miley Cyrus on SNL, to John Legend cornering the cave dwelling Bublé under the tree market has reworked the traditional and tired lyrics to sound less "why don't you put some records on whilst I pour" creepy, or "say what's in this drink" predatory. And now with everyone from Tank to Gwen Stefani releasing their Christmas standards like the good Nat King Cole or Sinatra lead Rat Pack, the artist who has covered everyone from Dolly ('Jolene') to Cash ('Cry, Cry, Cry') and the group she's part of release an extended play of their own, original Christmas songs to move your 'Christmas Butt' rocking like Robin right around the tree.
"And when it seems too much and you want to set fire to your tree/Just stop and forget all the noise and do this one thing with me/Shake your Christmas butt until your cranky goes away/Shake your Christmas butt for Christmas Day," they say in a light hearted riff and romp that will have you moving around the tree with honest Abe Lincoln and the G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan in cardboard cut-out 'Home Alone' Culkin cheek slapping form. Stopping you from going full Lois in 'Family Guy' when you've done everything. Wrapped the presents, hung the decorations on the tree, pit the turkey in the oven, dressed the kids, played peacemaker to all the family drama, saved some egg nog for your neighbours and pulled all the crackers...only for there to be no paper towels. Add it to the playlist under the mistletoe, because this is going to be one of your new Christmas favourites like 'Candy, Candy Lane' by Sia, or 'Christmas In Harlem' by Kanye. But still there's nothing like the classics and just like Tank's E.P., Boots brave the Winter, warming up a live, alive version of 'Silent Night' like all is bright. That is as beautifully welcome and evoking in its embrace like sleeping in heavenly peace this time of year with the one you love and want to see first on Christmas morning as your kids leap into bed for their presents.
Feeling like 'Christmas All Over Again' being around again already, that's not necessarily a bad thing as Puss pokes fire, sticking the boot in under the chimney with their signature guitar as they lament the lonely loss, but warm solitude of never being alone this Christmas when you can count on yourself. Empowering, "I'm gonna hold myself instead of someone else this Christmas/I'm gonna take my hand and be my own best friend". And on 'The Great Romancer' after tooting their own horn as a one man band, the trio get back to love, "all I want for Christmas is an answer" they sing sounding like "man sir", or the anti-Mariah in this brilliant blues record full of a heart of "needles and pine" which would exist outside this time of year without the word "Christmas". As this group since 2014, long awaiting a follow-up haven't lost a step together. But it's the driving home for Christmas, windscreen wipers over frosty snow tuning in, 'It's Not Christmas 'Till You Come Home' (complete with vocal trumpeting) that is the FM for your NPR of these Christmas chronicles. Staying "up all night waiting" like a kid who believes in Dear Santa as Bing Crosby sings, who can't relate to the feeling of, "I won't believe it's Christmas until you make it home to me/The snow isn't white/The stars aren't bright/And lights don't belong on the tree", as we are waiting on the ones we love. Well like jumping up and down like 'Elf'...or watching that very film in August, counting down the days and weeks with months worth of Facebook memes, it won't be long now. A very 'Murray Christmas' to you. No that's no typo. Like his hilarious follow-up post credits cameo in the 'Zombieland: Double Tap' sequel, Bill became a new pair of boots for Puss when he cameoed alongside them in song last year akin to the 'Scrooged' stars own Netflix special featuring Jenny Lewis, Miley Cyrus and the Rat Pack like George Clooney. Now THAT would be your Christmas album as we can't wait for these boots to keep walkin' and writing on that Tom Hanks typewriter from the candy cane artwork. Studio session (this year's 'Angel Dream' single points hope to that), or seasonal one. Because this Puss N Boots Christmas really is an extravaganza to you and yours. Good tidings we bring...and a Happy New Year. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Christmas Butt', 'Silent Night', 'It's Not Christmas 'Till You Come Home'.
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