Robert Christgau's Music Criticism Blog - Expert Witness - MSN Music

Scott Miller/Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks

Cheese Logs‑-Yummy

By Xgau Dec 16, 2011 2:22AM

Scott Miller: Christmas Gift (F.A.Y.)

Easy once he thought of it, right? Appalachia-oriented American and Russian history degree holder Miller picks 'em (guitar-banjo "Ode to Joy," harmonica-piano "Holy, Holy, Holy") and picks 'em (John Prine's beloved "Christmas in Prison," Roger Miller's forgotten "Old Toy Trains"). Writes one, too‑-his very own "Yes, Virginia," about how there is a Santa Claus, and there are also lots of relatives. These are both good things as far as he's concerned. And for the duration of an EP, they are. A MINUS

 



Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks: Crazy for Christmas (Surfdog)

Crazy because he's always been pleasantly nuts, but also because he's crazy not just as a result of but about Christmas, which as all Christmas fans know is a combination with a shot at making the holiday as full of good cheer as it's supposed to be. Scatting "Here Comes Santa Claus" as one retro strategy among many, Hicks lays out an "Old Fashioned Christmas" complete with "Bethlehem scene on the lawn/And a picture of Rudolph in the john" as the elves in "Santa's Workshop" paint millions of wooden boats and planes. Remember wood? This is a good-humored sixtysomething who wants to teach his grandkids the old-timey verities. Then he'll take a nap. B PLUS

 

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170Comments
Tom Walker
Dec 16, 2011 8:35AM
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allmusic.com puts Christmas Gift with the Virginia Scott Miller.

Last summer some people expressed interest in the old Dark City Sisters & Flying Jazz Queens compilation.  Did somebody provide that (I was on vacation & could have missed it))?  If not, I can.  I'm crazy for Christmas!

Update: And the Virginia Scott Miller's website has the CD (http://goo.gl/vYuOr​). So that's that.
JeffC77
Dec 16, 2011 8:32AM
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is this Scott Miller of Loud Family/Game Theory or of the V-Roys/Scott Miller and the Commonwealth?
Sounds like the latter to me, jream. (I'm from Knoxville originally, where the V-Roys got started.)
jreamteam
Dec 16, 2011 8:26AM
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im confused.  is this Scott Miller of Loud Family/Game Theory or of the V-Roys/Scott Miller and the Commonwealth?

gotta admit, i hope it's the one from Virginia/Tennessee.
jreamteam
Dec 16, 2011 8:08AM
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the top 20 are up at Pitchfork.  i like Ryan Dombal's argument for Destroyer's Kaputt, an album i've tried a few times and can't tell if i like or don't.

well, truthfully, when i'm listening i like it.  but i feel like i shouldn't.  and afterwards i feel like i didn't.  i think this is a symptom of all the middle ground indie music saturating the world.  additionally, Kaputt always sounded too contrived and gimmicky to me.  but maybe this review is a reason to revisit this one.
Cam Patterson
Dec 16, 2011 7:37AM
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Kevin-- Not sure what part of my brain failed but here is Memphis (2), I believe. Let me know if I still messed it up: http://goo.gl/lDN3n
JeffC77
Dec 16, 2011 6:42AM
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Two more reasons to be cheerful. (Thanks again, Bob.)

 

A reason to be sad: Christopher Hitchens, the ultimate devil's advocate, has died. (I only agreed with him about half the time, but then he always seemed to agree with himself only half the time.)

jreamteam
Dec 16, 2011 6:39AM
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i'm really happy about all these christmas albums. i'm always looking for good, alternate music to play around the holidays that isn't some stupid parody christmas album like redneck christmas or something thoughtless like that.  i'd like a genuine redneck christmas, thank you.

and speaking of that, i drove 30 minutes away at 5 this morning to pick up some japanese quail as a christmas present for my 2 dogs.  oh 'tis the season!
Jon LaFollette
Dec 16, 2011 6:27AM
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So, has voting already begun on our Best Of 2011  ballots? Hope I'm not too late to the party. 
Ioannis Sotirchos
Dec 16, 2011 5:21AM
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yo, Kevin! likewise, man. where's Soto?
kevin john
Dec 16, 2011 4:31AM
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Cam, thanks for the New Orleans and Memphis goodies. But the two Memphis links are both for Disc 1. Any chance of gift culturing Disc 2?

Also, just wanted to say that I adore EW and wish I could contribute/spend more time here. Y'all rock (and, even better, pop)!

P.S. Hi Ioannis. Miss ya, babe!
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about the blogger

Robert Christgau

Starting in 1967, Robert Christgau has covered popular music for The Village Voice, Esquire, Blender, Playboy, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He teaches in New York University's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, maintains a comprehensive website at robertchristgau.com, and has published five books based on his journalism. He has written for MSN Music since 2006.

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