Review and More

Our Review

Dynamic singer-songwriter Les Kerr describes his style as "Hillbilly Blues Caribbean Rock & Roll," and he is right on the money! Christmas on the Coast is an amazing, country-style homage to the holidays on the Gulf Coast. Think New Orleans: no snow, no sleighs, just crawfish and the bayou!

This album smokes! It's a bit on the short side (just over 37 minutes), but every moment is packed with sly fun and freewheeling holiday celebrations. Of the ten tracks, Kerr penned two brand new offerings, including my favorite track, "Your Kiss is My Wish List." With the Jordanaires providing stellar vocal accompaniment, the song is an intensely memorable Elvis-type experience; I just cannot get this tune out of my head! The Jordanaires also appear on Kerr's "Christmas on the Coast," which is equally fine; the creative and image-intensive lyrics really make the coastal holiday experience come alive.

Christmas on the Coast opens extremely well with "Jingle Bells," complete with harmonica strains, a driving percussive beat, and the Jordanaires (again!). But this isn't the "Jingle Bells" of your childhood; Kerr has substituted his own imaginative lyrics, and he's a superb storyteller! Apart from this unorthodox "Jingle Bells," only one other holiday number is immediately recognizable ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town"). It doesn't matter--everything here is pure bayou pleasure. The album also includes one excellent instrumental ("Wayfaring Stranger") and one dramatic reading ("Yes, Virginia"), which is done in a straightforward, touching fashion without hokey embellishments.

It's a huge "thumbs up" for Les Kerr's Christmas on the Coast. Oh, the album is not for everyone, but if you are looking for that unusual holiday music approach that doesn't just frolic in the New England snows, then Les Kerr may be the perfect antidote.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

More

From the liner notes:

Musicians:
Les Kerr: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, percussion/sound effects
Bryan Cumming: saxophone, mandolin, flute, cello, saxophone, electric bass
Robbie Shankle: drums, clarinet
Steve Holland: drums, bells
Danny Driftwood: electric bass
Brent Stoker: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Jeff Lisenby: accordion
Bill Haymes: piano
Billy Taylor: upright bass fiddle
Ric Kirk: accordion
Shannon Williford: froittoir (rub board)/harmonica

Special guests:
The Jordanaires: vocal accompaniment on tracks 1, 2, 4. 5
Tammy Vice: vocal accompaniment on track 3
Bayou Babes Holiday Chorale: vocal accompaniment on track 7
Yes, Virginia: vocal accompaniment on track 10

Produced by Les Kerr and Bryan Cumming

From the Web site:

"Take a little bluegrass, mix it with the blues, Stir it like a good gumbo; Add a little Reggae, hit it with a beat. It's the Hillbilly Blues Caribbean Rock & Roll"

Les Kerr

Christmas on the Coast

Artist link

Track List