On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 

Artist: The Three Suns
Title: A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas
Label: RCA LSP-2054
Released: 1959
Genre: Lounge

This is the most manic Christmas album I’ve ever heard. Bells, chimes, accordions, tubas, electric guitars, harmonizing brass, harmonicas, organs and xylophones all deliberately arranged to drive you nuts. The only thing missing are the bagpipes and Jaw Harps. It’s strangely beautiful and upsetting at the same time; just like Christmas can be. And it’s all brought to you in the magnificence of RCA’s Living Stereo brand, an experience in stereo-orthophonic high fidelity recording.

They totally deconstruct “White Christmas” and put it back together with an Erector Set. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” sounds like a polka band covered it after dropping acid. “Jingle Bells” sounds like it was interpreted by The Schmenge Brothers with the Happy Wanderers. I’m craving cabbage rolls and coffee right now.

The sonic spectrum spanning of “Russian Sleigh Ride” with the rhythm provided by the tuba and the melody chimed on bells morphs into  spy jazz for a moment and then back to a typical Three Suns sound, which is not typical at all.

If you want to add confusion to your holidays, I highly recommend this album. It’s good at clearing your house of guests. The risk you take is there may be a visitor who will want to hear the whole damn record. Follow the record up with Esquivel’s Christmas album to bring back some semblance of order.