Make It Christmas -- Rodney Carrington
By Martha Kleder
I have tears in my eyes but this time I’m not laughing. Instead, I am listening to Make It Christmas by musical comedian Rodney Carrington. What you hear when you hit the play button is smooth vocals and classic arrangements of traditional Christmas tunes -- “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Grown Up Christmas List,” “Oh Holy Night,” “Mary Did You Know,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and “White Christmas.” Describing Rodney as Michael Bublé in a black cowboy hat would be pushing it, but you get the idea.
Most folks with any sort of Christmas music collection have plenty of versions of those classics to get them through the ever-expanding Christmas season, so why do I recommend adding this release? Rodney’s original material gives Make It Christmas a special place. “Camouflage And Christmas Lights,” the one song that made this release a must-have for me, brings the listener into the life of our deployed military. The ache for home, the pride in service, making do where they are without too much complaining, the cards from children and the odd collection of decorations from the home front, the chow hall breaking out the “good” paper plates for Christmas dinner, it’s all there in this song. Songwriters Andrew Dorff and Michael Logen knew what they were writing about.
Other original releases, “Presence of Love,” and the title cut “Make It Christmas” celebrate the true meaning of this favorite of all holidays in new words and melodies.
But, you can’t make a comedian keep a straight face through and entire CD, it just can’t be done. Those who love Rodney Carrington for his humor will love “The Presents Under The Tree (Better Be For Me),” which pokes fun at the folly of everyone’s shameful hint of selfishness during this season of giving. Gosh, if that wasn’t so funny it might sting a person’s pride.
Make It Christmas is on Capitol/EMI.
www.rodneycarrington.com
www.myspace.com/rodneycarrington
www.facebook.com/rodneycarrington
www.capitolnashville.com
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MarthaK Edison Christmas
