The dB's & Friends' Christmas Time Again

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Indie rock can anticipate another evolution of The dB's' Christmas album with the arrival of The dB's & Friends' Christmas Time Again, which will hit the streets on November 21. Or allow us to clarify: Originally released as a seven-song LP on Coyote Records in 1986 and as a 17-song CD in 1993, this Chris Stamey-conceived holiday classic — now in its third edition — will be reborn on Collectors' Choice Music with six new tracks. Since its last incarnation, the collection has added Peter Holsapple's "Home for the Holidays, " performed by The dB's (with special guest Caitlin Cary); "Christmas Time Is Here" by Thad Cockrell and Roman Candle; "Lonely Christmas" by Marshall Crenshaw; two tracks by R.E.M. producer Don Dixon ("I Saw Three Ships" and "Christmas Is Saturday"); and an unreleased track by Ryan Adams & Whiskeytown titled "Houses on the Hill."

The new additions augment an already formidable collection featuring Big Star ("Jesus Christ"), Alex Chilton ("The Christmas Song"), The dB's ("Christmas Time, " "Holiday Spirit" and "Feliz Navidad"); Ted Lyons ("The Only Law That Santa Claus Understood, " "Santa's Moonlit Sleighride"), Chris Stamey ("It's a Wonderful Life"), Chris Stamey & Cathy Harrington ("You're What I Want for Christmas"), Chris Stamey & Mary Mac ("Snow Is Falling"), Cathy Harrington ("Sha La La"), Wes Lachot ("Christmas Is the Only Time"), Peter Holsapple ("O Holy Night"), Brent Lambert ("Silent Nocturne") and Keegan DeWitt & the Sparrows ("Christmas Light").

Most of the tracks were recorded specifically for the record. Marshall Crenshaw contributed the authentic-sounding '50s doo-wop classic "Lonely Christmas" to the collection this year, and "high lonesome tenor" Thad Cockrell and pop wunderkind Roman Candle joined forces for the future classic "Christmas Time Is Here."

Don Dixon and The dB's Stamey and Holsapple collaborated for a new take on Dixon's "Christmas is Saturday." Also included is Dixon's stellar live version of "I Saw Three Ships." Up-and-coming New York singer/writer Keegan DeWitt chimed in with the incandescent "Christmas Light."

Stamey, executive producer of the project, reports that "Home for the Holidays" is the theme here. "This is the soundtrack of my guest-list for dream holiday party: I can close my eyes and imagine the cast grabbing the mic, one after another, as the mistletoe swings in the breeze and the Yule log crackles and sparks."

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