The Mavericks - Hey! Merry Christmas! (2018)

The sad, recent passing of Raul Malo encouraged me to pull out all of my Mavericks CDs. I own several of them, but not their Christmas album. I didn't even know they recorded one until a few days ago. Shame on me for not knowing that. I just burned it to CD after downloading it from iTunes.

Both the title of the album and it's front and back covers tell you everything you need to know about The Mavericks' foray into Christmas music. You didn't really believe this ten-song set was going to give listeners anything but a chance to party hardy during the holidays, did you? Hey! Merry Christmas! may not be intellectually stimulating but it's not supposed to be. Play it to have some fun in memory of Malo.

Hey! Merry Christmas! was recorded by The Mavericks' most recent lineup featuring Malo on vocals and guitar along with axman Eddie Perez who's been with the quartet since 2012. Jerry Dale McFadden also became their permanent keyboard player in 2012 after accompanying them for a long time as a touring musician since the 90s. Paul Deakin has been onboard as the group's original drummer since 1989.

The brief album offers only two covers, Irving Berlin's "Happy Holidays" and "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)." The rest are originals composed by Malo and the band. The tunes are more pop-rock than country, but we know the leader and his outfit have always straddled many different genres by making music they loved regardless of boundaries. The Mavs never became superstars, but by doing their own thing they earned widespread respect and support even in the rock community.

The title track is pure rockabilly. "One More Christmas" is mainstream pop-rock and "Christmas Time is (Coming 'Round Again)" sounds like a lost Phil Spector track. "Santa Does" is a tune that both kids and their grandparents should be able to dance to. Even the holiday breakup song, "It's Christmas Without You" isn't depressing. You'll find no solemnity here.
 
To show you how highly regarded Malo was among his peers read about the two-night tribute to him led by his bandmates and a host of Americana music dignitaries at the famous Ryman Auditorium. He and his family were supposed to be in attendance on December 5th and 6th, but the late star went into the hospital on the 4th and passed away there just four days later.

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