At the end of November 2021, the German label KEiL Records, with which we have already become friends this fall, released a Christmas mini-album “Stephan Griebel sings Christmas Songs” with a circulation of 333 copies. To be honest, I’m skeptical about Christmas albums, except for J.D. McPherson, maybe because we don’t have such musical traditions in our country.
So, including this EP, I didn’t expect anything special, well, there’s a boring guy singing some ordinary covers of X-mas standards. But as it happens, you can find excellent chocolates in an ordinary wool sock above the fireplace, and an exceptional musical treat may be hidden behind the traditional New Year’s cover. Only four songs, but what a lot! On red holiday vinyl! A delight to the music lover’s heart under the Christmas tree. Sung and played with great love, by a man truly imbued with the spirit of Christmas.
Stefan Griebel is a human orchestra, multi-instrumentalist, and has been recording entire albums in one helmet for the past couple of years. And this does not detract from the quality of the material. The musician started in the mid-80s, playing rockabilly in the Dirty Doggies team. Other bands with his participation are Nymonics (rock and roll in the spirit of Bill Haley), Jive-O-Matics (swing), TP-Special (swing, boogie, jazz of the 30-40s). Since the early 2000s, Stefan has performed with Mike & The Hellboys (Mad Man Mike & The Rhythm Devils) as a double bass player. And by the way, a Christmas album has already happened once in his career as a member of the Nymonics.
Recording a doo-wop into one requires a deep knowledge of vocal harmonies and remarkable performance. Both are subject to the German kruner: Stefan sings to all voices and it listens well. There are echoes of authentic vocal rock’n’roll of the late 50s and blue-eyed soul of the 60s. Jazzy rockabilly guitar, simple but convincing. And I can clearly hear the ukulele: Stefan uses an extended six-string version. Mr. Griebel is definitely good at languid ballads and fast Christmas carols.
If the beloved does not return after such a Christmas serenade as Kisses Under The Mistletoe, then St. Nicholas gets his salary in vain and generally calls into question the fact of his existence. Rockabilly jive Under The Christmas Tree that presents will be delivered in a Cadillac and the girl under the Christmas tree would do better to dress up.
The Christmas prayer My Christmas Prayer that the main thing on such a snowy night is not to be alone is decorated with a xylophone. The Santa Oh Christmas carol mini-album ends with the main culprit, who is a little overweight, dances with angels, and maybe will make our lyrical hero a part of his holiday. Santa lives somewhere on Coconut island/Cooking peanuts for your magic show.
Stephane Griebel sings Christmas Songs (2021)
A1 Kisses Under The Mistletoe (Kyle Thomas Peterson)
A2 Under The Christmas Tree (Gay John Twinn, Danny B. Harvey)
B1 My Christmas Prayer (Billy Fury)
B2 Santa Oh (Joachim Szelies)
A CD copy is attached to the vinyl album so that the holiday accompanies you on car trips. These beautiful songs are charged for Christmas. It’s the perfect soundtrack for sitting by the fireplace with your family, sipping mulled wine or fragrant tea, and enjoying ginger biscuits and chocolate. And maybe everyone will find their happiness under the decorated Christmas tree on Christmas night.
