Guest review by Captain’s Bar events manager, Say Something Music label owner and promoter Scott Evans
What’s the point of a Christmas Song? Growing up in the late 70s early 80s Christmas songs were a staple part of the year, who was going to take the coveted number one spot knowing their song would be immortalised forever, to be dragged out and inflicted on a Christmas shoppers for far too many weeks. But let’s be honest we loved them! Even now hearing Slade’s anthem can still bring you warm memories of happy simpler times when having the latest Han Solo figure meant the world.
And then it all changed.
The X factor stepped in and ensured that the festive feel of the Christmas number one was gone, yes Simon Cowell was in fact the Grinch, and now Spotify wrapped tries to fill that hole that Christmas songs used to fill.
So it’s with a pleasant surprise that Greg Murray & The Seven Wonders deliver their second single in as many weeks. Hot on the tails of the superb double release Wish I Was In Love With You and The Pain & Glory comes the festive Only At Christmas…The Bells Ring On. The song has everything you would expect and want from a Christmas single, from the second the song begins those sleigh bells are ringing. As with the latest releases the song feels instantly recognisable, it has a steady rhythm that doesn’t give up and only builds as the song progresses. Throughout the song there are simple but effective horns, lovely vocal harmonies and backing vocals, none more effective than in the ear worm of a chorus. All the things that come to mind when you hear a Christmas song are there – you can imagine school children singing it on the last day of term’s extended assembly, or it being the closing happy moment of a Christmas film.
So the point of a Christmas song? It’s to take you away just for a fleeting moment from the horrors of the world and cement happy memories of family, friends, eating too much, the double issue of the radio times, proper snow, circling toys in the catalogue and hoping that you might just get that Han Solo figure.
Hats off to Greg and his talented band for delivering this well crafted Christmas song and gifting a little bit of happiness. Let the Bells Ring On!
Bethan, founder of The Leopheard added: “Ah well it truly does feel like Christmas now that Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders have graced us with a jingle bell, holiday infused festive feast for the ears. Whether you’re a Buddy the Elf or an Ebenezer Scrooge, there’s no doubt this heartwarming record will be the perfect soundtrack for putting up the Christmas tree and enjoying a mulled wine. With its bags of brass, bells and harmonies, this seasonal single is sure to but a smile on your face and spread some holiday cheer, which is often all that’s needed this time of year.”
