[This is part of The John M. Higgins Memorial Xmasganza.]
John always used to joke that he was starting an organization called Adult Children of Functional Families. He got along with his parents (both now gone) and his siblings (his sister Megan also died way too young). For most of us, family relations are a lot more complicated and holidays are a great time to celebrate that. Perhaps with a lot of alcohol. Or distance.
Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen, Jr. offers a snapshot of Christmas trailer park-style on his song “Merry Christmas from the Family.” It originally appeared on his 1994 album Gringo Honeymoon, but I kind of like the drunken sprawl of this version, which appears on No. 2 LIVE Dinner, his 1996 live album; the song was recorded at Floores Country Store in Helotes, TX in August 1995. Also in ‘95, Jill Sobule’s cover version appeared on the compilation You Sleigh Me.
The Sobule version is the one that John introduced me to, but each version has its qualities. On this live Keen version, I like the way the crowd joins in on “…who talks all about AA.” On the Sobule cover, I like the bit that goes”…we sang ‘Silent Night, O Silent Night,’” with the feedback creeping up in the background. On the whole, I have to give points to Sobule for giving it a more universal feel.
There’s also a swell picture book version of the song that comes with a CD!
Watch a video of the Keen version:
Robert Earl Keen – Merry Christmas From The Family — BUY
Jill Sobule – Merry Christmas From The Family — BUY
Tags: Robert Earl Keen, Jill Sobule, Christmas music, MP3s