Review and More

Our Review

This is so odd! And it is also a bit different from what we usually post here, but it deserves mention because it stretches the bounds of good taste, in more ways than one (we're talking fruitcake here!). The Oregon Lottery has apparently commissioned several Christmas songs featuring everyone's favorite holiday doorstop, the venerable fruitcake. Evidently, the songs are available only as mp3 downloads, which is a shame because the sham cover graphic is priceless.

I downloaded and listened to these songs. There is an operatic piece (Fruitcake No. 5 in A Major), an easy listening pop tune (Merry Christmas, Fruitcake), a country torch song (Not On My Table), an R&B tune (The Holidays Ain't Nuttin' Without My Fruitcake), and a '70s rock anthem (What's That Fruitcake Doin' Under My Tree?).
None of these songs runs over two minutes and the artists are uncredited. But what an extraordinary advertising statement. Why go to the trouble? Beats me, but it is certainly an attention-grabbing gimmick. It is also, for the price, well worth the download.

Note to readers: I don't eat fruitcake, but my Uncle Buddy was a connoissieur. He always said that the best fruitcakes (not an oxymoron!) were available from The Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas.

2nd note to readers: We are indebted to CaptainOT at A Christmas Yuleblog for this delicious new offering.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)

No More

Various Artists

Spirit of Fruitcake Volume 4
(MP3 Download)

Artist site

Track List