I don’t like Christmas music as a general rule, but definitely can make an exception for the Juno Award winning Toronto based roots/folk trio the Good Lovelies, who come to the Geomatic Attic to play a Nov. 23 Christmas show.
First because Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore, aka the Good Lovelies are aptly named in more ways than one.
They a
re lovely to look at and have even lovelier voices. Voices which take you back to a simpler time — a time of innocence and easygoing jazz, a time when nothing was worth worrying about.
Thirdly, anytime you hear “Santa Baby” performed by three pretty girls, it will warm up the coldest winter morning.
Plus you have to love girls who will revisit the Chipmunk’s Christmas Song. “Hula hoop” has never sounded sexier.
They also revamp and update “Blue Christmas,” making it into a more old school country song and revisit overcooked chestnuts like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and “Silent Night.” Though their version of “Auld Lang Syne” is pretty hot too.
But it isn’t just the voices or the looks, it is the instrumentation behind them.
Passmore plays percussion, ukulele and guitar, Ough plays guitar, ukulele, banjo and percusssion and Brooks also plays acoustic guitar, baritone ukulele and banjo.
All three of their voices meld just about perfectly together.
There are a variety of other instruments including vibraphone ansd omnichord, violin, pedal steel and violin adding a western swing and jazz tinged feel to Christmas standards and a couple outstanding originals including “Another Year To Wait,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Hurry Home.”
And even though it isn’t an original, “I’d Like You For Christmas,” is hot.
But their voices are so soothing, repeated listens risk putting you to sleep.
Their version of “Auld Lang Syne” starts slow then turns into dobro powered bluegrass rave up and round with those gorgeous vocal harmonies.
CD: Under the Mistletoe
Band: The Good Lovelies
Genre: folk/ western swing
Record label: Six Shooter Records
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