The most loved Christmas carols of all time now rearranged and recorded by the Master of Mersey Beat himself.

14 MP3 Songs
ROCK: 60's Rock, ROCK: Rock & Roll

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Merry Christmas, Traditional Carols Arranged as Traditional Rock Songs!

Peek in the stocking or rummage under the tree for a spectacularly fab package of Christmas cheer. Joy to the world! The always hard working and dedicated Frank Lee Sprague returns with his latest yuletide classic, Merry Christmas, Traditional Carols Arranged as Traditional Rock Songs! What do some of the most cherished Christmas carols of all time have in common with rock ânâ roll? Only a year after his highly regarded Merry Merseybeat Christmas, Frank Lee Sprague went back into the recording studio aiming to find out. What emerged was a song selection both spiritual and playful, a celebratory homage to some of Frankâs favorite music and musical styles. Listen closely for snatches of familiar songs, from âThank You Girlâ by the Beatles, to âMr. Tambourine Manâ as done by the Byrds, from âGreat Balls of Fireâ by Jerry Lee Lewis, to âLove Reign Oâer Meâ by the Who.

The album opens with the lovely and timeless âJesu Joy of Manâs Desiring,â by Johann Sebastian Bach, ingeniously rearranged as an instrumental in the style of the Ventures. There are several other instrumental standouts here, including an intense, pounding âGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemenâ in which Frank manages to quote from Dick Daleâs âMiserlou,â and the Chantaysâ âPipeline,â while ending with the brooding coda from Bobby Fullerâs âThe Chase.â

Noted for his mastery of British Invasion styles, Frank pays tribute to the Liverpool beat of the Swinging Bluejeans on âOh Little Town of Bethlehem,â the intricate harmonies of the Hollies on âAway in a Manger,â and even takes us for a romp with the Beatles via the âHard Dayâs Nightâ style âO Christmas Tree.â

âJingle Bellsâ will never quite sound the same once you hear Frankâs frantically rocking reinvention of âJingle Bellsâ as a piano pumping Jerry Lee Lewis stomper straight out of Sun Records. âO Come All Ye Faithfulâ captures some ringing Byrdsian 12 string electric guitar magic along with a chorus straight out of âTurn Turn Turn.â Special guest Randy Fuller of the Bobby Fuller Four joins Frank for a rollicking âHark! The Herald Angels Sing,â arranged to sound like Bobby Fullerâs 1966 hit version of Buddy Hollyâs âLoveâs Made a Fool of You.â

Merry Christmas, Traditional Carols Arranged as Traditional Rock Songs! closes with a surf instrumental interpretation of Handelâs âThe Messiah.â This remarkable version is a stunning example of Frankâs ability to pay respectful tribute to a familiar melody, while creating a fresh and original arrangement. âThe Messiahâ quotes from âMr. Motoâ by the Belairs, and demonstrates once again Frankâs fluid, brilliant lead guitar playing.

Frank Lee Sprague loves Christmas. Frank Lee Sprague loves rock ânâ roll. Merry Christmas, Traditional Carols Arranged as Traditional Rock Songs! is a delicious and delectable taste of both â untie the ribbon, rip open the paper and please open this package first.

Known for his unparalleled ability to synthesize authentic rock ânâ roll styles into his own West Texas imprint, Frank Lee Spragueâs work has wowed reviewers in Rolling Stone, Playboy, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and many other magazines and newspapers. He has appeared on CBS nationwide television and National Public Radio, and performed live around the world, including several successful tours of Japan. Over the last few years, this charismatic songwriter and musician has recorded and released the critically acclaimed albums, Merseybeat, Cavern, Merry Merseybeat Christmas and Fulton Avenue, while also revered by fans for his long-time work as leader of the fabulous rock ânâ roll duo, the Sprague Brothers.