Bootsy Collins- Christmas Is 4 Ever Review
This Halloween, Bootsy Collins changed the face of American music forever by releasing his epic seasonal masterpiece Christmas Is 4 Ever.
Based around clever rearrangements, word play, and star-studded guest appearances, Christmas Is 4 Ever fails to disappoint. In many ways, it is P-Funk’s belated answer to James Brown’s funky late-sixties Christmas efforts.
Although the album comes off as very contemporary and worthy of play on R&B radio, Bootsy’s tenure with James Brown and Parliament/Funkadelic is not lost on him. Horn arrangements by Fred Wesley and appearances by former P-Funk cohorts Bernie Worrell, Gary Shider, Mike Hampton, and older brother Catfish Collins help set the funky tone of the album. And a special Christmas message from George Clinton himself helps seal the deal.
The highlight of the album is the title track, an emotional power-ballad tribute to Bootsy’s late mother. It gives a somber tone to an otherwise joyous and light-hearted CD.
The program includes three brand-new Christmas compositions, including Happy Holidaze, a breathtaking seasonal rap summit. Snoop Dogg (in character as Snoopy Collins) and DJizzle prove that gangstas love Christmas too.
The album also includes an imaginative remake of Bootsy’s late-seventies classic “I’d Rather Be With You.” It is a tribute to the late Roger Troutman, featuring former members of Zapp. Also on the album is a deliciously neo-soul rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.”
No Bootsy Collins album would be complete without ridiculous, pun-based song titles. On Christmas Is 4 Ever, these include “Winterfunkyland,” and “Boot-off the funky-soul reindeer.” For the album, Bootsy assumes the identity Boot-a-Claus, the last in a long line of stage alter-egos.
Bootsy also includes an unlikely but heartfelt tribute to Nat King Cole in “Chestnutz (The Christmas Song)”. Also, there is an absurd rendition of Sleigh Bells with violin and mandolin thrown in the mix. His version of “Silent Night” starts with a funny but touching monologue and transforms into a bona fide funk workout featuring trombonist Fred Wesley, whose association with Bootsy goes back to their days with James Brown in the early seventies.
Unfortunately for most of America, Christmas Is 4 Ever has received little or no attention from the media outside of coverage in music journals and newspapers from Bootsy’s home town of Cincinnati. The album also has not registered on the pop charts, which may or may not be an indicator of its radio play.
The only down side to the album is that it is only one album. One can only hope that Bootsy comes out with follow-up Thanksgiving, Easter, Columbus Day, Flag Day, and Boxing Day albums, preferably in a 6-CD box set. On a scale of “1” to “Invention of the Wheel,” I give Christmas Is 4 Ever seven billion chicken wings.
QUOTES FOR INFO-GRAPHICS
“On number one day from the number one spot/happy holidays we get hotter than hot/got good Christmas dinner/And I come to deliver somethin’ you remember.”
“got the Christmas spirit and you’re bound to feel it/so get wid it touching the hearts of all the children/listen- friends of love it’s time to give/open up yo’ soul to the little kids/got toys got gifts I mean the gifts of love/even the Grinch won’t take our holiday from us-- what.”
“Yo! Best believe it’s that time of year so celebratin’ wit yo homies and all your friends/we bring that the Christmas flavor to your displayer/let the stress rest from gettin’ all the haters.”
Filed on 12/12/2006