It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even in November, as bands have begun promoting their festive releases.
Yachtley Crew are a Yacht Rock band from Los Angeles, who were formed in 2017. In their stage show, appropriately attired in nautical gear, they perform a selection of mostly 70s and 80s soft rock material. They have performed on national tours over the last few years and released a debut album in 2023.
Now they have prepared a new mini-album, a festive offering entitled Seas and Greetings, which will be released on Earache Records in December. It was produced by Chris Lord-Alge and features 4 Christmas song covers and an original song called Coming Home for Christmas.
One of those covers, “It’s Christmas Time”, was originally released by the British Rock Band Status Quo in 2008. It was written by Rick Parfitt and Wayne Morris and reached #40 in the UK singles chart. It has since become a cult classic in the UK.
Being a lifelong Status Quo fan, I found it intriguing how a band from America discovered such an obscure song. Reaching out to them, they responded with the following quote:
“When we were breaking ground on recording a Christmas record, our manager, Andy Gould, had mentioned the Status Quo song, “It’s Christmas Time.”
“Being from the UK, Andy thought it would be a great song for us to add to our collection. When we listened to the song with our producer and mix engineer, Chris Lord-Alge, we all knew we just had to record it!” Yächtley Crëw
My Thoughts
Yachtley Crew have recorded a version which maintains the spirit of the original, keeping elements which make it stick out as a catchy composition. They’ve also added their own unique touches, emphasising different aspects that fit with their brand.
Although it doesn’t have some of the fire of the original, this is a version which is guaranteed to fill the dancefloor with the prominent drumbeat, bouncy production and catchy sing-along chorus. The delivery of the vocals sound contemporary, but still emphasise the effectiveness of the melody. Maintaining the chugging guitars, and the connecting lines between segments gives the production a pleasing level of nostalgia.
The party feeling is further enhanced by the festive music video and is sure to delight festive listeners Stateside, most of whom would possibly have no idea or preconception of its origins.
I can envision this song becoming a favorite in their live set during the holiday season, with the audience joining in during the chorus.
Conclusion
Yachtley Crew have taken an underrated British classic from one of Britain’s biggest musical institutions and made it their own. The arrangement and feel is maintained, but there is an extra layer of pleasing polish that will appeal. I look forward to hearing the rest of the mini album, which includes covers of “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”, “Please Come Home for Christmas” and “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”.
Check out Yachtley Crew‘s cover of It’s Christmas Time.
