Jonder's Christmas Contributiion

(Scott)-Thanks to Jonder for these slabs, should be great both in the full-length and abbreviated

versions..... I SWEAR I'm gonna try and get a Christmas comp put together....TRY at least....I SWEAR I cannot wait for layoff (3 more days)...... anyway, take it away Jonder and tell us all about your latest creation......

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Every December I listen to the three volumes of "Christmas Present", a series released in the early 90's by Sister Ruby Records in Atlanta (www.discogs.com/label/534898-Sister-Ruby)

Unless you lived in the ATL back then, you probably haven't heard many of these musicians. You might remember Shawn Mullins' hit "Rockabye". If you're a fan of Sugarland, you'll recognize the names Kristian Bush and Kristen Hall. And somehow the guys at Sister Ruby got a contribution by a band from of out of town called Hootie and the Blowfish, before they signed to a major label.

Perhaps you recall the infamous Coolies, who made a Simon & Garfunkel covers album called Dig,
followed by a concept album called Doug. The breakup of the Coolies spawned several groups included here: the Ottoman Empire, Donkey, and the Mighty Fine Slabs. And if you've seen the movie "Benjamin Smoke", you'll appreciate "Little Drummer Boy".

Kelly Hogan (from the Jody Grind and the Rock*A*Teens) is still a solo artist, as well as Neko Case's singing partner. Anne Richmond Boston sang for the Swimming Pool Q's. Ani Cordero from #1 Family Mover later fronted the band Cordero.

The guitarist on "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" is the late Gregory Smalley (who created Atlanta's annual Bubbapalooza festival, and who was the inspiration for "The Living Bubba" by the Drive-By Truckers). And I think Rick Richards from the Georgia Satellites plays on "Run Rudolph Run".

Some of the songs aren't anything special, but there are great moments and real talent in each volume.  Some of these tracks are the only recordings of bands long forgotten by any but the most grizzled denizens of Cabbagetown and Little Five Points. Aside from the usual Christmas standards, there are covers here of songs by Joni Mitchell, Steve Earle, Big Star, the Kinks, the Who, the Ramones, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono.

I have compiled a set of what I consider the best of the three discs (tracklist follows). If nothing else, please listen to the opener, where "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" takes a clever detour into "Space Oddity". Happy holidays from the City Too Busy To Hate!

1 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Uncle Green

2 Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Kelly Hogan

3 Run Rudolph Run - Tommy Rivers

4 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - The Continentals

5 Christmas - Big Fish Ensemble

6 Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - The Doll Squad

7 Frosty The Snowman - The Lizard Men

8 Heat Miser/Snow Miser - Radiant City

9 Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy - The Vidalias

10 Little Drummer Boy - Smoke

11 Listen The Snow Is Falling - Engine

12 Jesus Christ - #1 Family Mover

13 Please Come Home For Christmas - The Mighty Fine Slabs

14 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - Michelle Malone

15 River - Face Of Concern

16 The Christmas Song - Shawn Mullins with David Patterson

17 I'll Be Home For Christmas - Kristen Hall

18 Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Anne Richmond Boston

19 I Believe In Father Christmas - The Backyard Swings

20 Nothing But A Child - Scott Roberts

21 Christmas This Year - Hootie and the Blowfish

22 Feliz Navidad - The Ottoman Empire