Davy Jones: “It’s Christmas Time Once More” (2020) CD Review

The Monkees were the first band I ever loved. I was four years old when the television series re-aired, and I was hooked immediately, on both the humor and the music. My mom found a copy of More Of The Monkees at a used record store (at the time, it was out of print and kind of expensive), and I played it over and over. Some things that I enjoyed in my childhood I now no longer care for, of course, but my passion for The Monkees has actually increased over the years, and I was lucky to get to see them perform several times. The world has lost both Davy Jones and Peter Tork, but with a little studio magic, we are getting a new Davy Jones album in time for the holidays. The vocal tracks were recorded a long while ago, and originally released as It’s Christmas Time Again (apparently made available only on cassette), and then re-issued as Christmas Jones (that time on CD). But this new album, titled It’s Christmas Time Once More, is not really another re-issue, as the arrangements are new, with some new backing vocal work by fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz, Davy’s daughter Annabel Jones, Coco Dolenz and others. This album was produced and arranged by Chip Douglas, who produced my favorite Monkees album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

It is so good to hear Davy Jones’ voice again. There is something about his sound and style that always makes me smile. The album opens with a sweet rendition of “Winter Wonderland,” featuring some good work on saxophone. Also, after the line about the bluebird, Richard Lee’s touches on flute give us the sense of a bird, a really nice moment. This rendition is cheerful and warm, and it is getting me excited about the holiday. I like what Davy adds vocally at the end, “Walking in a winter wonderland/Hand in hand/Oh, we’re walking in a winter wonderland.” That’s followed by “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a song I really don’t like. (Click here for my critique of the song.) But if there is anyone who can make me enjoy this song, it’s Davy Jones. His voice has such cheer and excitement and innocence, that you can’t help but love whatever it is he is singing. And this version has a good rock and roll vibe, particularly in the saxophone and guitar work. By the way, Moon Brown is on sax on this album. John Hoke is on lead guitar on this track, as well as organ.

Davy Jones delivers a gentle, pretty rendition of “Silver Bells,” with some beautiful backing vocals by Annabel Jones, Diane Gallina, Kalei Womack and John Hoke. This song gives us that warm, peaceful feeling that most of us are craving this year, and Davy’s vocal performance is absolutely wonderful. This is one of my favorite tracks. It is followed by an interesting rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” with Davy’s voice supported by strings, giving it both a somber and radiant vibe. I really like this approach. This track features backing vocal work by Micky Dolenz, Coco Dolenz and Diane Gallina. Then Davy Jones’ rendition of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” comes as a completely delightful surprise. It begins just as you might expect it to, but then after forty seconds or so, when it kicks in, it takes on nearly a bluegrass sound, which is great. Chip Douglas plays banjo on this one. There is so much joy to this track. Annabel Jones joins her father on vocals for “White Christmas,” and gives an excellent performance. This rendition has an easygoing rhythm, and a sweet vibe, and is another of the disc’s highlights. You can hear the sincerity in Davy’s voice as he sings, “May your days be merry and bright/And may all your Christmases be white.”

A couple of years ago we were treated to a new Monkees holiday album, Christmas Party. Though Davy Jones had already passed, a couple of his vocal performances were included. “Mele Kalikimaka” is one of those songs, and that track featured Chip Douglas on ukulele and guitar. The song is included again on this album, and this time Chip Douglas plays bass in addition to ukulele and rhythm guitar. I love this song. It’s a fun and playful number. I read somewhere that Davy’s original vocal tracks for this album were recorded in Hawaii, so the inclusion of this song makes even more sense. That’s followed by “This Day In Bethlehem,” which begins beautifully, with Davy getting some help from Micky Dolenz and his sister Coco Dolenz on vocals, in addition to John Hoke, Diane Gallina and Chip Douglas. Then the horns come in halfway through, raising the song to another level. This track is a surprising highlight of this disc.

“Silent Night” is probably the most beautiful song associated with the holiday, and Davy Jones delivers a wonderful rendition. He is joined again by Annabel Jones on vocals. Approximately halfway through, there is a spoken word section, where Davy Jones recites the ten commandments, giving particular stress to “Thou shalt not kill.” That’s followed by “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” a swinging and fun rock and roll number, with some nice work on saxophone. The main body of the album concludes with “When I Look Back On Christmas,” a sweet, pleasant tune about the joys of the holiday. “The children wake on Christmas morn/Happy laughter fills the air/They gather around the Christmas tree/Find their presents scattered there.”  I like this arrangement much more than that included on Christmas Jones, particularly the work of Ryan Walters on harmonica. This song ends with Davy Jones saying, “Merry Christmas, everybody.” And, you know, I think this might end up being a merry Christmas after all. It’s up to us, right?

This disc has two bonus tracks which were not included on It’s Christmas Time Again or Christmas Jones, both being versions of “White Christmas.” The first finds Davy’s vocals supported by just Chip Douglas on guitar, and was recorded in 1967 at Chip Douglas’ home in Laurel Canyon. This track is a treat, with a heartfelt vocal performance. The second is a demo, and features Don Beck on pedal steel. That instrument and the rhythm give it an easygoing country vibe. Then the presence of strings adds another layer to this rendition.

CD Track List

1. Winter Wonderland
2. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
3. Silver Bells
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
6. White Christmas
7. Mele Kalikimaka
8. This Day In Bethlehem
9. Silent Night
10. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
11. When I Look Back On Christmas
12. White Christmas (Laurel Canyon Guitar and Vocal)
13. White Christmas (Laurel Canyon Demo)

It’s Christmas Time Once More was released on November 13, 2020.