SONG REVIEW 🎵📝 Larry Gebke - Blue Christmas
Larry Gebke - Blue Christmas
Holiday, Country
Illinois, U.S.
Overall Impression: Recording artist Larry Gebke captures the longing and the loneliness of one of the quintessential sentimental holiday masterpiece, with his rendition of "Blue Christmas". Made famous by the King of Rock and Roll, this tune has captivated generations of listeners with its melancholic themes and swaying country rhythms. Gebke stays fairly faithful to Elvis' version, complementing his smooth baritone vocals with reverb-soaked surf guitar leads while the rhythm section provides an authentic mid-century groove and a sound that evokes images of tinsel and lights. You can feel the longing in his delivery, as he sees every festive symbol as just another reminder of absence, granting the listener permission to commiserate in his wistful heartache. Larry Gebke's version of "Blue Christmas" is the perfect addition to any playlist this holiday season.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production and a solid mix. Sounds great at higher volumes, fits in with modern loudness standards without sacrificing any warmth or character. Great choice for a cover, this is one of the pillars of contemporary Christmas music. Really nice 12/8 groove, in a slightly relaxed tempo with a loose, easy feel. Terrific tone and technique on the lead guitar. Nice use of reverb across the mix to really give it a genuine vintage sound and to create some depth. Awesome vocal performance, buttery smooth delivery that's warm and inviting with amazing range and dynamics that go beyond simply crooning. Tremendous track all around, a retro-modern cover of a Christmas classic. Cheers, stellar work all around!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Country, Holiday, Early Rock'N'Roll
Artist target suggestions: Elvis Presley, Chris Issak, M. Ward, Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison, Conway Twitty, Gene Pitney, The Everly Brothers, Ben Vaughn
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical explorers.
