Tom Mason: “Under A Mistletoe Sky” (2020) CD Review

It seems that most musical artists at some point in their careers release a holiday-themed album. Tom Mason has put out three. In 2003, he released A Slide Guitar Christmas, and then in 2012 he released A Pirate’s Christmas, that one with the Blue Buccaneers. Now he delivers Under A Mistletoe Sky, featuring all original music, written or co-written by Tom Mason. This is music designed to help you enjoy the holiday and not take things too seriously. Tom Mason, in addition to lead vocals, plays guitar, dobro, trombone, bass, harmonica and percussion on this album. But he does have some other musicians joining him on this release, including Michael Webb on piano and organ (Michael Webb also produced the album), Pete Pulkrabek on drums and backing vocals, Fawn Larson on vocals, and Jeff Thorneycroft on bass, along with guests on a couple of tracks.

This album opens with “Crazy For Christmas,” in which Tom Mason sings “My baby, she’s crazy for Christmas/It’s her favorite time of year.” This year I think more people are excited about the holiday than usual, for everyone is eager for something to celebrate. I usually don’t get caught up in the holiday trappings, but this year I find myself truly enjoying the lights and other decorations, in addition to the music. Hell, I’ve even been enjoying some of those ridiculous Hallmark movies. And I can safely credit this change in large part to my girlfriend, who is crazy for Christmas, though thankfully she doesn’t have “more plastic Santas than you have ever seen,” as described in this song. This is a fun tune, delivered with a sense of humor. Those backing vocals are what produce the most mirth, describing the woman as “loco with her cocoa.” This song was written by Tom Mason and Nate Dungan. That’s followed by the album’s title track, “Under A Mistletoe Sky,” a lively country rock number about a Christmas romance. It begins with a little nod to “O Holy Night,” and returns to that theme again later in the track. Sheila Lawrence joins Tom Mason on vocals on this one.

“All Covered In Snow” is a sweet song about romance in winter, featuring all those things you associate with the season, with Tom singing, for example, “In the meadow, we’ll make angels in the snow/And then warm ourselves inside with hot cocoa.” A cabin in the snow has a certain sense of magic, and cuddling with the person you love feels even better when it is cold out, doesn’t it? Then “Christmas Boogaloo” has a more Latin vibe, the guitar work seeming to be influenced by Santana. This song calls people to come together, regardless of skin color, religion, and so on. “Let’s love everybody with a Christmas boogaloo.” Sounds right to me, bring folks together with a dance. The backing vocalists repeat, “Love everybody,” a good message for the whole year round. (Though, let’s be honest, there are seventy-four million people in this country who are unlovable.)

“Come On Mr. Claus” is a fun rock and roll song addressed to Santa Claus, urging him to hurry and get to work, the backing vocalists repeating “Come on, come on,” adding to that early rock vibe. Of course, there really should be a comma in the song’s title; otherwise, it has a very different connotation. And speaking of early rock and roll, “Little Elvis King Of The Elves” takes that Elvis Presley sound and style, and applies it to a story of the holiday. This track features some good work on guitar and piano. But, hey, what is this aversion to commas in the song titles? “Santa’s Little Helper” also has something of a classic rock and roll vibe, along with a sweet vocal line. This is a totally enjoyable number, with a catchy rhythm and some nice touches on guitar. “Do you want to be Santa’s little helper, my dear/I could use a little extra help this year/On Christmas Eve, you could drive my sleigh/And be Santa’s little helper all the way to Christmas day.” This is one of my personal favorites. How cute are the lines “If you’ll agree to be Mrs. Claus, I promise you/I’ll be Santa’s little helper’s little helper my whole life through,” a delightful declaration of love and devotion if ever there was one.

“Santa Says Keep It Cool” is an unusual and groovy number with a jazzy vibe. I especially like the work on harmonica and that percussion. “Turn down the heat, snuggle up tight/If you want him there on Christmas night/Santa says keep it cool.” Ah, so he means that literally? Well, he is used to the North Pole temperatures, after all. This track features a delightful little jam in the middle, and again at the end. That’s followed by “Gift Wrapped Girl,” another rock and roll number, this one told from the perspective of a guy who is friends with Santa and asks him for a gift-wrapped girl. “I said, Santa, I want a gift that will last/Not a toy that will break after three weeks have passed.” Well, you’d better be gentle with her, and be sure to unwrap her immediately before she suffocates. And Santa himself cautions him to treat this present well. This track features some nice stuff on keys. The album then concludes with “Christmas In Love,” a sweet number with an easygoing rhythm. “Come and sit down next to me/Beneath the lights of the Christmas tree/I’ll give the logs on the fire another shove/It’s Christmas time and I’m in love.” Well, all right! This is another of my personal favorites.

CD Track List

1. Crazy For Christmas
2. Under A Mistletoe Sky
3. All Covered In Snow
4. Christmas Boogaloo
5. Come On Mr. Claus
6. Little Elvis King Of The Elves
7. Santa’s Little Helper
8. Santa Says Keep It Cool
9. Gift Wrapped Girl
10. Christmas In Love

Under A Mistletoe Sky was released on November 6, 2020.