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This is the epic story of how Santa got his butt kicked by Hanukkah Harry. A yiddish-flavored tale, this is the story of Santa's jealous brother, a story you may never have heard. I'm sure I hadn't. Perhaps because the story so recently got its start in the imagination of Hal Singer, it has not had time to grow into urban legend.

But there's more to Singer's Christmas vision than just reporting a sad incident of sibling rivalry. He also introduces us to Elvis impersonator Dennis Kolb, who performs Rockin Christmas Stockin and My Warm Christmas Heart in classic Big El Blue Christmas fashion. My favorite new Hal Singer tune, though, is Mr. Snow,a retro-pop tune I couldn't get out of my head. Also of note is The Old Christmas Hearth, a Connie Francis-worthy anthem featuring the voice of Connie Francis-worthy Georganna Barry-Singer.

In all, I Saw Hanukkah Harry Beat Up Santa features eight new Christmas songs, making it of special interest to Christmas music collectors tired of listening to the same eight Christmas songs each year. Not to mention those who just want to hear about Santa getting his butt kicked.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

Appearing on I Saw Hanukkah Harry Beat Up Santa are Hal L. Singer, vocals and musical instrumentation; Georganna Barry-Singer, vocals; Dennis Kolb, Elvis vocals, Mike Light, vocals; Martin Correia, drums and percussion; Craig Harbaugh, saxophone, Sy Hymowitz, vocal.

Hal Singer and friends

I Saw Hanukkah Harry Beat Up Santa Claus

Artist link

Track List