• "Uncorked" Globe Records #GLO-029
• "Rhythm on the Roof" Globe Records #GLO-020
• "Treeside Hoot" Globe Records #GLO-007
• "Mistletoe Jam" Globe Records #GLO-002; Relix Records #RRCD2036
• "Globe Compilation 2000" Globe Records #GLO-802

"This is the best Christmas record of the year by far."

"Dig "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" with Maria Muldaur and Angela Strehli wailing like Andrews Sisters' kin. Dig "Santa Lost a Ho" (as in "ho ho ho," you nasty kid). Dig the kiddie-level wordplay of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" as Norton Buffalo honks his harmonica. With Dan Flicks, Lost Planet Airmen drummer Lance Dickerson, and lots of Austin irregulars, this one's got a swinging, jivin' retro feel. And, with the exception of a Salvation Army-esque "Silent Night," if you don't listen to the (way funny) lyrics, you'd never know this was Christmas music. So save this one 'til the folks go home, then tear up the rug"

Summary: Clever, lyrical, folky swing

It's easy to get lost in the craft of this record-- the musicianship and the clever tunes-- but eventually one gets around to posing the musical question: why are these folks called The Christmas Jug Band, and why don't they ever play Austin? Maybe that's really two questions, and I don't have an answer for either, but if they need a little validation in order to work up the courage to quit their day jobs, I'm here to offer it. Actually, I've been listening to a couple of these wily veterans since the '70s, Dan Hicks' in particular. What you have here is an assortment of their styles and licks, even better than their last offering, and almost off the scale, listenability-wise. I liked every song on the record, so it is unfair point to any one as being substantially better than the others. But if I mention Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur's rendition of Boogie Woogie Santa Claus, it would only be because it might positively affect the search engine rankings. Besides, I've always liked Ms. Strehli best of all the Austin-based blues singers. Her voice still has that throaty sexiness, and its pairing with the somewhat deeper textured voice of Maria Muldaur is inspired. Also… Dan Hicks' These Christmas Blues makes a credible blues anthem. Tim Eschliman's adaptation of Don't They Know It's Christmas is an amusing encapsulation of the Jug Band's stylistic melange. Santa Lost a Ho is just odd. And even the obligatory Silent Night offers a change of pace. Bottom line: this wide-ranging CD, includes blues, swing, and folk elements (in other words, all of the important musical genres), filled with clever new tunes and clever renditions of others, from Dan Hicks and his juggy band of merry misfits. What more could you ask for, for Christmas? -- (Reviewed in 2002)

You too can be a jug-head this Christmas

"Marin's Christmas Jug Band features some of the area's finest -- and nuttiest -- musicians, including veterans of Those Darn Accordions!, Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen and backing bands for that noted humorist Van Morrison.

By rights the joke should be wearing pretty thin: It's been 25 years since the group's impromptu origins and 15 since the release of its first seasonal CD.

But the band's latest set of cockeyed Christmas jingles might be its best yet. The jug-band atmosphere -- washboards, kazoos, wood blocks and clarinet are just a few of the ornaments -- is as cheery and tipsy as the lyrics.

'Santa Lost a Ho' is an instant classic, and the Tom Lehrer-esque lawn-decor satire, "Plant a Santa," is right behind. Best of all in this season of overfamiliarity, the songs are mostly originals. The group rummaged the attic for the Marx Brothers absurdity 'I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.' The sole standard, 'Silent Night,' gets a typically playful two-step arrangement.

In between showcase gigs at watering holes in its own backyard, the band also helps celebrate 'Holidaze in Hicksville' with longtime member Dan Hicks on Saturday at the Fillmore. Plenty of excuses to hit the Christmas jug."

Christmas Jug Band, 9 p.m. Friday at Rose Pub and Restaurant, 2074 Armory Dr., Santa Rosa. $12. (707) 546-7673. 9 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Monday at Sweetwater, 153 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. $10. (415) 388-2820 or www.sweetwatersaloon.com.

Good-natured, old-time irreverence, in music and lyrics, makes this record fun without being strictly a novelty..."

"Peopled and fueled by the people that make the music behind many of your fave front persons, this highly skewed Christmas set is a hoot. Recording together again in the first time in forever, this bunch of fun by some of the greatest names from 70's blues, rock and pop will blow you away because it's done outside the system with an attitude to match. With a songbag that pulls from many outlaw quandrants (like the Marx Bros.), there's nothing here that adults won't find a great break from "Deck the Halls". Let the good times roll."

"A great, groovy, well-produced and really good-natured set of original roots-blues holiday tunes... The album kicks off with the off-color "Santa Lost A Ho" and zips through a series of similarly silly, likeable novelty tunes. The players are cherry-picked from the ranks of overly-talented Bay Area musicians -- mostly fellows whose names you wouldn't recognize, though roots divas Maria Muldaur and Angela Strehli drop in for a duet on "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and Norton Buffalo resurfaces for "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" (don't play this song for your kids: they'll only get ideas!) Overall, this is a really fun album... If you want a little break from the saccharine blechiness that passes for yuletide cheer, then this is a disc that may make your holidays fun again...!"

"I pulled out my stash of Christmas albums and started chuckling straight away over the Christmas Jug Band's brand new CD, 'Uncorked,' featuring the sure-to-be hit single, 'Santa Lost a HO,' written by Paul Rogers of Those Darn Accordions. 'We're trying to help Santa out, so we're calling our holiday gigs "The Looking for the Lost Ho Tour,"' said the Jug Band's Tim Eschliman, who produced the all-acoustic album at Boomtown Studio in Sausalito with the legendary engineer Fred Catero at the board."

"HOLIDAY FUN: From Marin County, California, with love, comes the latest unrepressed winter wonderland recording by the wacky Christmas Jug Band. Entitled, "Uncorked" and featuring the "smash" hit, "Santa Lost a Ho," this kick-in-the-Christmas-pants features such great musicians as Dan Hicks (yes, that Dan Hicks,) Norton Buffalo, Paul Rogers, Austin deLone, Maria Muldaur, Angela Strehli, Mike Duke and singer/producer Tim Eschliman (on whose Globe Records label the CD has been released.) Including musical genres such as jazz, blues, folk & rock n' roll, and instruments ranging from autoharp to washtub bass, it's hecka more fun than roasting chestnuts, Christmas trees on fire or a fat men stuck in chimneys. Rating: Five holiday stars.

"Christmastime elicits a host of beloved holiday activities: tree trimming, eggnog drinking and gift giving to name a few. For many, being bombarded with saccharine-laced holiday songs does not make the list cherished winter memories. If you are one of these people, and find that your 400th listening to 'Greensleeves' while at the mall has you ready to go grinch, stop shopping and head to a Christmas Jug Band concert.

What began as a whiskey-fueled lark (the group was originally known as the Monday Night Wild Turkey Jug Band), has become a 25-year holiday tradition. The group plays its share of holiday standards, but makes its mark with original tongue-in-cheek odes to the season such as 'Santa Lost a Ho' and 'Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas.' The changing cast of musicians includes players who have workeded alongside the likes of Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Etta James and many others. The Jug Band backs up its lyrics with an entertaining blend of country, blues, skiffle and rock, a mix you can hear on its latest collection of left-field Christmas songs, 'Uncorked.' The recording features guest spots by such luminaries as harmonica hero Norton Buffalo, R&B singers Maria Muldaur and Angela Strehli and Bay Area fixture Dan Hicks. With numerous shows over the holiday season, you'll have plenty of chances to catch the Jug Band. If you haven't already, be sure to make it a holiday tradition."

"Uncorked" is a great alt-Christmas album. It's just the ticket for holiday parties and if you're tired of that cute arff, arff, arff rendition of "Jingle Bells" that blasts from the town square, but want something a bit more cheerful than "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," "Uncorked" is the medicine.

The Christmas Jug Band formed 25 years ago during a momentary lapse of sanity-at least that's what the members of the group will tell you. The rumor with the most credence claims that this bunch of single musicians were feeling kinda blue one holiday season, so trekked down to their local pub and started performing. Now, after 25 years, it's a tradition. Made up of mostly Marin County (California) musicians, the players get together only during the holidays. The few original members who have moved away don't make it every year, but the show does go on as new recruits fill in the holes and make for an even bigger sound when the originals are in town. The group's first album "Mistletoe Jam" was released in 1987 on Globe Records.

The all-acoustic multi-instrumental skiffle-swing combo is made up of Mr. Alt-Christmas Joy himself-the veritable Dan Hicks; Austin De Lone (Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello); Tim Eschliman (Commander Cody, Etta James, Rhythmtown-Jive); Paul Rogers (Those Darn Accordions); Jim Rothermel (Van Morrison, Jess Colin Young); Lance Dickerson ( David Bromberg, Commander Cody) and Blake Richardson.

The music is jug band hybrid. In addition to using traditional instruments like guitar, accordion, saxophone, drums, etc, etc, there's washboard, jaw harp, and everything right down to hammering on the kitchen table.

Also featured on the "Uncorked" CD are original members Paul Wenninger and Nick and Greg Dewey. Special guests include Norton Buffalo, Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur.

Hicks, Rogers, De Lone and Eschliman all contribute original songs and there are makeovers and renaming of tunes like Freddie King's "Lonesome Reindeer Blues" and the Brook and Dinah classic "Santa, You've Got What It Takes." Standouts are De Lone's "Hey, Santa" a smooth piano swing tune; a classic Hicks number "These Christmas Blues"; and Eschliman's "Don't They Know It's Christmas" which includes excerpts from "Subterranean Homesick Blues," "For What It's Worth," and "The End of the World." Sound interesting? You bet it is. Tune in to "Santa, You Got What It Takes" and you'll know what a great party album this will be for office or home. Add it to your collection.

On Globe Records and available at www.globerecords.com. If you happen to be in the San Francisco area Dec. 22 and 23, you can catch the Christmas Jug Band at Mill Valley's Sweetwater. (full schedule here)

Formed 25 years ago as a Wild Turkey-fueled romp, this irreverent crew these days includes founding member Dan Hicks and Commander Cody alumni, plus such special guests as harmonica hero Norton Buffalo and R&B singers Maria Muldaur and Angela Strehli. "Uncorked," the latest skewed Christmas set, is a hoot, filled with clever new tunes (the odd "Santa Lost a Ho") and off-center renditions of others, offered in a melange of blues, swing and folk styles.

The New Christmas Jug Band CD, "Rhythm on the Roof" (#GLO-020): "When it comes to Christmas, Rupaul doesn't have a corner on camp, as the Christmas Jug Band demonstrates on its third album, "Rhythm on the Roof". This collection of San Francisco "jug-a-billy" musicians has been performing holiday concerts with a zany twist in the Bay Area over the last 20 years and present newly-appropriate material here such as 'Santa Don't Do It' and 'Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas'."

"Christmas Jug Band, Rhythm on the Roof: Fun guys give an offbeat twist with originals and parodies. Instruments include washtub bass and coat hangers. "

"Tired of traditional Christmas Music? Try on The Christmas Jug Band's "Rhythm on the Roof." This Globe Records release is a down home 'Frisco jugabilly holiday mix that combines parody with traditional. No amateurs here - just Dan Hicks himself and an array of sidemen who have played backing up such top-notch performers as Etta James, Norton Buffalo, Commander Cody, et al."

"...a bar-full of Marin County musicians including Dan Hicks, Norton Buffalo, Paul Rogers, and Austin deLone, crooning their shaggy heads off on various seasonal favorites and whatever appropriate new tunes they roughed up in 10 minutes-or-so of preparation. They've actually been getting together for a decade(2) and this is their 3rd mistletoe release. If you remember the Rhino holiday compilation, Bummed-Out Christmas, that's the Christmas Jug Band kicking things off with "Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit". This time out we get Hicks leading the choir on four songs, including "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "I Know What I'm Gettin'," and a loopy version of "Your Red Wagon" that's so funky you'll just about smell it. There's also a send-up "Mr. Sandman" as "Mr Santa" that qualifies as a hoot-'n'-a-half, and a tune titled "Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas" that calls out for heavy airplay. There's also a rasty cover of Charles Brown's "Merry Christmas baby." Think of this collection as big-time fun in the form of woozy vocals accompanied by harmonicas, rubboards, washtub basses, jugs, kazoos, accordions, and scuffed-up guitars."

"The third seasonal album from an ad hoc Mill Valley, Calif., skiffle/swing ensemble that includes a still distinctive Dan Hicks (lead vocalist on five tracks, composer of several) and hot licks on various acoustic instruments (washboard included...). With parody abounding ("Mr. Sandman" recast as "Mr. Santa"), the standards are low enough to also include "Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas" and "Santa, Don't Do It."

Toe-tapping fun: LET THE good times roll! The Christmas Jug Band seems to be here, there everywhere around the Bay these holiday season nights (they're at Sweetwater on Saturday, Sunday and Monday). Playing to a near-capacity house at Freight & Salvage on Tuesday, the good ol' Jug Band -- a full-blown and hard blowing swing octet with Dan Hicks leading the charge -- near to tore-up such festive yuletide numbers as "Winter Wonderland" (played cha-cha or mambo style with muted trumpeter Nik Phelps featured), "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'," with two accordions (Paul Rogers, Austin deLone) joining in, and "Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit," guitarist Bill DeKuiper featured in accompanying Hicks' droll vocal. With a new CD on the market ("be sure you mention that" said Hicks) and a delightful combination of tight arrangements, new and traditional tunes -- traditional by Jug Band standards -- this show is much the best yet. They play and sing "Mr. Santa" to an R&B beat (it's "Mr. Sandman," of course) and feature accordion, kazoo and trumpet in a clever arrangement of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" -- falsetto vocal by Hicks, backed by the Jug Band Mumbling Four. A new number, "Washboard Road," by guitarist, jaw-harpist, percussionist, straw-boss Tim Eschliman, features the composer as well as drummer Lance Dickerson on washboard, clanging bell and other percussion devices -- it's a four-beat "Chicago Southside-Shanghai Nitespot" number. "Gee, Rudolph, Ain't I Good to You," (Hicks' variation on the old "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You," gives some space to Blake Richardson on string and washtub bass, and along the way various novelty numbers, clever instrumental juxtapositions and outrageous lyrics (like George "Commander Cody" Frayne's "Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas") contribute to a grand evening of good-time holiday music."

"Born out of the Old Mill Tavern music scene in Marin, the Christmas Jug Band has been celebrating the holiday season, in one incarnation or another, for the past two decades. This year's manifestation includes Dan Hicks, former host of the Old Mill's infamous open mike; Paul Rogers from Those Darned Accordions; Tim Eschliman from Etta James' band; Austin DeLone from Nick Lowe's band; Lance Dickerson from Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen; Nick Phelps from Club Foot Orchestra and Tom Waits' band; Norton Buffalo from Steve Miller's band; Gregory Leroy Dewey from Country Joe & the Fish; Bill DeKuiper; and Blake Richardson. With these boys, the holiday blues are literally just that -- backwater renderings of Christmas sing-alongs that will have you doing the roadhouse hip-shake before Santa can say ho. The Christmas Jug Band celebrates the release of its third CD, Rhythm on the Roof, on radio show West Coast Live (KALW-FM 91.7; or attend the live taping at Fort Mason) on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m"

"Hark! Do You Hear What I Hear?: Grading new Christmas albums on a silver bell curve- Scoring 2 1/2 Bells: The Christmas Jug Band, "Rhythm On the Roof" (Globe). Second CJB record has its moments -- "The Real Deal" or "Mr. Santa" to the tune of "Mr. Sandman."

"Offbeat slants celebrating the season continue with San Francisco's Christmas Jug Band and it's Rhythm on the Roof. The jugabilly conglomerate - which features Dan Hicks, paul Rogers, Tim Eschliman, Lance Dickerson, et al. performing all-acoustic renditions of traditional songs - has been playing in Bay Area Christmas shows for more than 20 years."

"Veteran acousticians serve spiked eggnog. Imagine 'Winter Wonderland' in Latin America. 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' in a doo-wop corner, Dan Hick's hangdog suavity is dandy, Norton Buffalo's 'If I Don't Have a Chimney' is effortless country, No. 1 number is 'Santa Don't Do It.' a bodacious campaign to stop Mr. Claus from obeying Mrs. Claus' order that he 'lose the beard or sleep with the reindeer.' Yes, indeed, Santa's got another brand new bag."

"This is a very fun record. These guys don't take themselves or the Christmas season too seriously, and they have done a great job conveying a goofy merriment that me and mine will be listening to through December 25."

"A 'Tree-Side Hoot' is what the Christmas Jug Band, the 'kings of skiffle-swing holiday highjinks,' inspires with its annual Christmas Eve concert at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA....the Jug Band is a party band par excellence, and this live recording will do more than Uncle Bobby's eggnog to make you merry. Selections range from the predictable 'Jingle Bell Rock' to the inspired 'S.A.N.T.A. (Gloria)' (which Van Morrison might've thought of himself if he'd gone to more frat parties) to the possibly blasphemous (but very funny) 'Rockin' the Nativity Scene.'... a cup of good cheer."

This is like a jam of musicians after a Victory Open Mike at a local pub. Dan Hicks, Gregory Leroy Dewey, Tim Eschliman, Austin Delone., Ken Vandemarr, Paul Rogers, Jim Rothermel, Blake Richards are the perpetrators of this live at the Sweetwater Christmas eve. The delight is the funky feel that lives between jug band and Dixieland as war-horses like 'Jingle Bell Rock', 'Let It Snow', 'I Saw Mommy' get mixed in with the Jerry Lee Lewis like 'Run, Rudolf, Run' or 'Rockin The Nativity Scene.' If you want low down fun on the holidays this belongs in your sock.

If you're like me, you probably dread hearing the old worn out yule tunes that start flooding the airwaves around this time every year. Don't start the bah humbug's just yet. The Christmas Jug Band is a yearly tavern collaboration of some of the Mill Valley, CA area musicians, better known for their contributions to other artists and bands (i.e. Charlatans, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hot House, Rhythmtown-Jive, etc). With tongue firmly in cheek, and instruments ranging from guitar and piano to accordian and washboard, they dish out acoustic renditions of some traditional and some not so traditional xmas songs, highlighted by a new twist on Gloria, appropriately titled S.A.N.T.A. This one will certainly grab some attention at your holiday gatherings, so keep those spirits flowing and give your ears a break from "Santa Got Runover By A Reindeer".

Dan Hicks, late of the long-gone Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, here leads his perennially quirky and hip Jug Band (who've individually played with everyone from Elvis Costello to Etta James and Commander Cody) through a live set of loose standards and a few egg-nogged originals. The Jug band rocks, swings, and swerves off the road in performances recorded live on Christmas Eve 1989, and December 23 and 24, 1990. Hicks's and his fellow Juggers' droll and often tongue-in-cheek delivery of Christmas goodies is certain to charm even the most vexed Scrooge. And with his originals "Under the Mistletoe," "Santa As Seen on TV (Sheik of Araby)," plus a reworking of Van Morrison's "Gloria" (here aptly titled "S.A.N.T.A"), it becomes clear that the band is inviting listeners to a great party. Throw in sundry chestnuts like "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" and Tim Eschliman's "He's on Holiday in His Mind" and you've got highly flammable contents under pressure that are bound to be "Rockin' the Nativity Scene." A great companion piece to the Jug Band's five-star Mistletoe Jam album. - Martin Keller

"A welcome relief from the solemnity of the season...wonderful kazoo-and-washboard favorites...swingin' blues-jazz arrangements..."

"Clearly the alternative Christmas record of the year. The fun and the funk rollick along and a good time is sure to be had by all."

"Forty minutes of pure delight. Guitar-based rhythmic swing...frequent bright solos...fine performances, distinctive material, and the wonderful combination of good cheer and good fellowship."

"Bizarre new holiday songs sure to become dearly-beloved seasonal classics, covered by the Ray Coniff Singers in the near future."

"A delightful, bluesy cassette...will put a charge into your Christmas bash. Dan Hicks and crew breathe new life into some old standards."

"Il repertorio e altamente spettacolare, pescato nella tradizione natalazia...le esecuzioni non sono certe le classiche melodie natazie, Dan Hicks e soci come abbiamo gia detto presentano un suono unico, originale con jug music e molto swing."

"Mistletoe Jam brings the warmth of a family reunion to the holidays with collective toungue planted firmly in cheek...should shake the humbug from the most jaded Scrooge."

"This release is full of fun, good times and a blues-buster for anyone with holiday depression."

"Globe Compilation 2000/ Happy New Millennium" serves a double purpose: first it is a single, and second it is a compilation sampler of the Globe Records roster of artists. The title track (and single) features several of the Globe artists on a tune that has a Latin beat, and features the chorus sung in English, and spoken in nine other languages. An edited take of the song opens the CD, but you have to wait until the end to hear the full unexpurgated version.

The sampler features several different musical styles, with something for just about everybody, including a number of tracks from the blues genre. As samplers go, it is pretty good stuff, and there are a couple of bands that merit further investigation. In particular, Rhythmtown Jive, who serve up a honking sax R&B tune called "Jet Stream", and the laid back musings of the Christmas Jug Band (Big Boy Crudup's "That's His Red Wagon" and Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve?") come out ahead of the rest. Joe Goldmark also deserves special mention for doing a pedal(?) steel guitar version of the Beatles "I'm Only Sleeping," whilst most amusing song title goes to "First Bratwurst of Summer" by the Germanic sounding band called Those Darn Accordions!

Overall "Happy New Millennium" is something of a musical smorgasbord rather than a blues CD as such. As a sampler it offers a useful insight into what Globe Records are up to. Most of the material sits in fairly safe mainstream territory within its own particular style, so do not expect any exciting new fusions of different styles. Good clean fun, nonetheless.

"Great music and everything will definately be played."

"Great Comp!"

"This is fun. Love Susie Davis! Thanks!"

"They sound fresh, strong, and powerful"

"Would love to hear more of these artists!"

"Thanks, we'll use it!! Will play from entire CD!!"