What do you get when you mix about a dozen musicians (including members of The Animals & The Police) with a lot of drugs? An acid psych opus! What do you get when you package it in a prefab jacket with stock christmas art and a festive title? Total confusion! We hypothesize that if you take enough drugs you may think this private press treasure is a holiday album…but we’re not so sure.
Little is known about the group A Letter Home and their home-studio recorded, private press release. The title, as well as the cover and its stock vintage holiday card design, indicate that this album is some sort of ode to Christmas past, but upon listening there is no sign of Yuletide joy, nary a jingle or jangle nor mention of sugar plums, reindeer sleighs, or figgy pudding.
With an ever shifting lineup of musicians and singers that differ from song to song, it’s likely that these recording sessions were more about sharing in an experience and communal bonding than they were about releasing an actual album. No reason for press photos or an advertising campaign. Just music for the sake of – and the love of – creating music.
Artist: A Letter Home
Album: Have A Good Old Fashioned Christmas
Year: 1975 (Reissue 2021)
Label: !Blap¡ Records / Sundazed Music
Style: Lo-Fi, Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock, Folk Rock
Format: mp3/320
Alex Gorgo: Bass
Andy Summers (pre-The Police): Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Barry Jenkins (The Animals): Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Bob Tomaski: Bass, Backing Vocals
Buddy Walters: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Haston Woodward: Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Hilton Valentine (The Animals): Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Jeoffrey Jillette: Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Kelly Farrington: Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Leon Walters: Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Engineer, Effects
Michael LeCorn (Rockville Junction): Drums, Tambourine
Pat Taylor (ex-Ashes): Backing Vocals
Tim Rose (The Big 3, The Singing Strings): Organ, Piano
Tracklist
01 Future, Past, Present 3:16
02 Child In Question 4:45
03 In The U.S.A. 4:11
04 The Question 1:59
05 River Tyne 3:44
06 I Believe 3:29
07 Who Are You? 2:40
08 Listen 2:01
09 Try! 3:04
10 Relax 3:03