CHRIS MERRYINGTON

New Memphis-Inspired Holiday Album is 901-derful

There is ordinarily a plethora of holiday-related musical offerings this time of year, but rarely do we see a release with such a geographic predilection as Have Yourself a Memphis Little Christmas, a collection of Christmas songs which all prominently feature the Bluff City.

The album kicks off with “FedEx Navidad,” a rousing homage to the hectic hub trying to keep up with holiday shipping. “God Rest Ye City Councilmen” slows things down to the pace of a sign ordinance committee meeting.

“O Little Town of Bartlett-hem” is a praise-worthy effort celebrating holiday life in the suburbs, but can’t match the fun and festivity of “We Wish You a Midtown Christmas” a raucous number punctuated by random gunshot sound effects (well, let’s hope they were just sound effects).

“The Grizz-Mas Song” should cause a hoopla as it samples Ja Morant shouting “Ya hear me?!?” throughout. The other basketball-related song – “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Calipari” struck a sour note with this reviewer.

Overall, Have Yourself a Memphis Little Christmas is a solid addition to the Christmas canon and a reminder that we in the Mid-South have plenty to celebrate during this time of the year.