âFab local instro-rock quartet led by guitarist-arranger Mike Beddoes gives 11 Christmas classics the twangy, reverb-laden Shadows treatment. The tunes were recorded live off the floor at Kitsilanoâs Russian Community Centre, and, as the title says, sound pretty damned Canadian after seven or eight Molson Pilsners. Pat Gerow, a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame, plays steel guitar on three tracks.â - Steve Newton, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver

11 MP3 Songs in this album (29:57) !
Related styles: Rock: Surf Rock, Country: Western Swing, Mood: Christmas

People who are interested in Dick Dale Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant The Ventures should consider this download.


Details:
"In listening to The Falcons' Canadian Christmas, I was instantly transported back to a better place in my inner mind, a place where talent was important and music had soul."
- from the liner notes by Vancouver DJ Red Robinson

âFab local instro-rock quartet led by guitarist-arranger Mike Beddoes gives 11 Christmas classics the twangy, reverb-laden Shadows treatment. The tunes were recorded live off the floor at Kitsilanoâs Russian Community Centre, and, as the title says, sound pretty damned Canadian after seven or eight Molson Pilsners. Pat Gerow, a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame, plays steel guitar on three tracks.â - Steve Newton, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver

More Reviews of The Falconsâ Canadian Christmas:

âItâs been far too long since we heard from The Falcons. This seasonal set was recorded in analogue at Vancouverâs Russian Community Centre and has all the hallmark Falcons sounds. With the emotion meter registering high and the corn factor kept reasonably low, the application of Mike Beddoesâ fingerstyle playing to these traditional tunes proves to be a great match.

They rock up Deck the Halls with a dash of Tequila, jangle neatly through Jingle Bells with some extra steel guitar and add combo organ for some bonus House of the Rising Sun flavouring on We Three Kings - an unlikely feat which works a treat. Ye Merry Gentlemen bounces along with some trademark Beddoes licks and even Peggy Sue lends a hand with Angels on High. Meadowlands is a tribute to The Chessmen, though most outside of Canada will recognize the tune under various other titles such as Riding Cossack or The Rocket Man. Whatever, the intro on this Falcons version is an absolutely fabulous 40 second shimmering guitar duet which Iâd love to hear developed further. As it is The Falcons go into a (comparatively) conventional uptempo version. Iâm in the mood now - We Wish You a Merry Christmas too!â

- Alan Taylor, Pipeline Instrumental Review, London, UK

âLong time no hear from Mike, Gary, Gord, and Andre but a Falcons release is not only welcome but is a major event. New Gandy Dancer discovered the Canadian guitar band very early in their career and they never disappoint. With that soulful and unique lead guitar sound from Mike Beddoes and the excellent musicianship all round, they turn what could be yet another âbig yawnâ but well intended Xmas album into a great experience. The material is overfamiliar (of course! Thereâs a very limited number of appropriate songs) but the arrangements are not. The Ventures started it all with their mix of exciting intros and seasonal numbers in 1965 and The Falcons continue this legacy with snippets of House of the Rising Sun, Tequila, and Peggy Sue in there somewhere but played to perfection. The sound is not narrow, it is often a wall of guitars and percussion - the latter delivered crisply by drummer Andre on the likes of Angels on High and Come all ye Faithful. The guitars just carry so much feeling about them - sometimes multi-tracked. I am tepid about seasonal albums (bah - humbug!) but this is The Falcons at their best. Iâll still be playing this well into the new year and beyond. **** (four stars).â

- Davy Peckett, New Gandy Dancer, UK