It was just supposed to be a jam session. The four of us - Rick, Ton, Pete and I were hanging out at Ton’s apartment in Red Bank enjoying an evening of … musical experimentation. We decided to cast all structure aside and just have fun. Ton’s electronic drum machine kept up a relentless 4/4 while Pete, on bass, and Ton, Rick and I abused guitar, keyboard and various other percussive instruments. Pete and Rick offered vocal incantations that, I’m sure, must have made sense at the time. And we did - have fun. Afterwards, as we walked to our cars, someone suggested that we get together and do it again. Another someone countered with - "Hey, let’s do a Christmas tape!". "A Christmas Cassette?? … Why Not!!"

So, it was in those next weeks of the pre-Holiday season that the first tape was recorded. The idea was to simply produce a tape of holiday cheer so friends and family could share in the merriment. But it was obvious after the next session that 30 minutes of our nonsensical carrying on was not going to hold anyone’s attention for very long, not even ours.

I’ll admit it, the change in direction was mine - instead of one big jam session we’d actually record songs. The trick was to capture the atmosphere of our previous get togethers. The answer was to add our own twisted personal touches to each song. Everything was up for grabs - you could tweak the music, words or arrangement. The only rule was that you couldn’t do the same type of arrangement twice. Word got around work (oh, did I tell you that we all had worked together?) and before long we had a bunch of other performers who wanted to be on the tape. Unfortunately, the approaching Holidays made schedules tight and may of them couldn’t appear on the final selections. Alas, even Rick was reduced to a 30-second guitar solo and backup warbling credits.

But, looking back, it was a great time. And, as I planned this compilation, I wondered how I would re-mix this first tape to meet the production standards of the later ones. Then I decided - I wouldn’t. The first released Christmas Tape exceeded our expectations. During its introduction familiar tidings of the season are rudely tossed out the window as we set the stage for things to come. Each composition is a unique ornament hanging on our musical Christmas tree. Each has its own story to tell and unique humor. This is the way we all now remember them, and enjoy them. We hope you feel the same.

Done on a 4-track in Ton’s bedroom between 11/16 and 12/11 (’87), with as many borrowed "toys" as we could get our hands on!

Jingle Bells -
Pat - Running guitar and Drum machine
Ton - Bass and Leads
Pete - Vocals

Rudolph -
Whistle Wonderland -
Pat - "Accordion", Acoustic guitar, Drum machine, Vocals
Pete - Bass, Intro to Winter Wonderland, Whistle tracks
General trash from Ton, Pete, Ralph* and Suzanne

Greensleeves -
Ton - Acoustic guitar
Pat - "Flute" and Triangle

Good King Wenceslauce -
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful -
Pat - "Horns"
(the traffic is real)

Deck the Halls -
Pat - "Piano" and "Harmonium"
Vocals and solos by Ton, Pat, Pete and Suzanne

We Wish You a Merry Christmas! -
Pat - Synths, "Choir" and Electric Guitar fill
Pete - Bass
Ton - Electric and Acoustic guitar leads
Rick - Acoustic guitar leads
Vocals by Pat, Pete, Ton, Rick, Ralph* and Suzanne

Concept / Arrangements --- Pat
Recording / Engineering --- Ton
Production / Mix / Master --- Ton, Pat, Pete
Additional Background Vocals --- Ralph & Suzanne Severini