Search - Paul Revere and the Raiders :: A Christmas Present... and Past

Good Representation of the Era and the band

Jan Ringham | Minnesota | 12/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned this particular album on vinyl for many years and felt it was time to update to a new version on CD.



It helps if you are familiar with Paul Revere and the Raiders and understand their nuttiness. And have a bit of understanding of the times. "Rain, Sleet or Snow" was conveying a very common complaint at the time about the Post Office. "Real Live Doll" is sexist but funny.



I really enjoy all of the songs as they are very unusual for the most part. I appreciate unusual because I collect Christmas albums (and Rock and Jazz) so I hear a lot of the same old, same old. I try to accumulate albums that have original material on them.



The only song I don't resonate well with is "Valley Forge". Again, it was certainly trying to be representative of the times with the Vietnam war and the protests. I just feel that it has to stretch too far to try to get the point across.



For the most part, if you like a different kind of Christmas album, you might like this. If you prefer the old standards, you will be disappointed."