[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, December 23 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, December 24 from 1-4 PM EST.


Except for nice carols like "The First Noel" or stately numbers like 'Carol of the Bells", most Christmas music can get pretty stale. Especially crap like "Jingle Bell Rock", which may be the worst song since Jimmy Buffett or Asia.

However, for three years running I've been playing a Christmas show featuring Jethro Tull and instrumental Gary Hoey, who have original songs or cool takes on classics. And this time, some songs I've not heard, and a favorite classic to close the show.

Here we go again!

Gary Hoey -

Carol of the Bells
You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch

The brilliant take on "Carol" is stunning. I've considered it as a lead in song to each week's show.

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album -

"Birthday Card at Christmas" – 3:37
"Holly Herald" (Instrumental) – 4:16
"A Christmas Song" – 2:47
"Another Christmas Song" – 3:31
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (Instrumental) – 4:35
"Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" – 3:37
"Last Man at the Party" – 4:48
"Weathercock" – 4:17
"Pavane" (Instrumental) – 4:19
"First Snow on Brooklyn" – 4:57
"Greensleeved" (Instrumental) – 2:39
"Fire at Midnight" – 2:26
"We Five Kings" (Instrumental) – 3:16
"Ring Out Solstice Bells" – 4:04
"Bourée" (Instrumental) – 4:25
"A Winter Snowscape" (Instrumental) – 4:57
Some wonderful arrangements, and completely new songs, like the opening tune and Last Man at the Party.

Gary Hoey -

My Favorite Things
Silent Night
Ave Maria
We Wish you A Merry Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Greensleeves
Winter Wonderland
Away In A Manger
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause
Felix Navidad
White Christmas
God Rest
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Happy Xmas
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Ho! Ho! Hoey
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Cookies And Egg Nog
Auld Lang Syne

Songs like Cookies and Egg Nog are really neat - It's Joy To The World...the traditional and Three Dog Night's version!

California Guitar Trio - O Christmas Tree
Greensleeves
Carol of the Bells
Steve Morse - Joy To the World
Jeff Beck - Amazing Grace
Steve Stevens - Do You Hear What I Hear
Steve Vai - Christmastime Is Here

We three Steves of guitar are!

Kinks - Father Christmas

Have a great holiday!