Reviews of A Merry West End Christmas (STR-719)
The following review appeared in Country Jukebox, translated here into English.
Founded around 40 years ago by producer and bassist Kirk Beasley and keyboardist Bobby Ogdin, the Nashville band +WEST END+ adds to their line-up Billy Contreras, Tom Hemby, Roddy Smith, Joe Wright and the legendary Charlie McCoy, activated for Christmas.
With the successor A Merry West End Christmas, the hand-picked troupe of top musicians is now releasing a very special Christmas album with 13 of the most famous Christmas carols and deliberately doing without singing at all.
For this reason alone, in such a case the skills of the professional musicians involved are of primary importance, as well as the harmonious arrangements of the offering, which ranges from jazz and country to folk and swing — a successful instrumental Christmas album that for many is festive, providing wonderfully contemplative moments around the Christmas tree.
Radio Pick: “Mele Kalikimaka”
The following review appeared in the January 2022 issue of Oldiemarkt, translated here into English.
Bobby Ogdin is the musical director of the label mentioned above and as such has chosen session musicians from Nashville like Charlie McCoy. He took 13 classics from popular Christmas music and rewrote them in the direction of pop country. This is perfect music and if you want a nice Christmas record, you've come to the right place. This is commercial music at a high level.
The following review appeared in TamTam magazine in December 2021, translated here into English.
[West End], that band from Nashville, has omitted the singer and simply concentrated on the original tunes so that finally the melody of the American Christmas songs is in the foreground. No lavish arrangements, no strings… On the other hand, you can hear the atmosphere, respect for the songs and a good vibe. All things that make Christmas its best. Songs were selected that you know and can still rediscover (from "Silver Bells" to "White Christmas").
The following review is by Michael Haifl, in Kultur Kompass, translated here into English.
Christmas is coming soon. The time for a Christmas Special 2021 is almost here. "Spare Time Records" also think in this direction and are already bringing ´A Merry West End Christmas´ among the holy people.
Its director Bobby Ogdin arranged thirteen songs with his closest musician friends, many of them his own fresh arrangements. Some melodies were even brought to life with the ukulele. Nevertheless, all songs were deliberately left free of vocals, as Bobby Ogdin believes that the vocals often cover up all the wonderful arrangements and the foundation of the song.
A year ago a record with rock & roll, country and alternative rock was released under the banner WEST END, but this coming season is more likely to ring out bells: Bobby sits at the piano, Joe Wright plays the steel guitar, Charlie McCoy plays the harmonica, Billy Contreras the violin. Happy Advent.
The following review appeared in Jolly Joker’s Ohrenbalsam, translated here into English.
The silver disc offers 13 wonderfully arranged and well-rehearsed Christmas carols. Freed from any singing, there are only instrumentals on this CD. The musicians involved are all professional musicians who have played on countless Christmas albums for important artists. Without elaborate and complicated arrangements, the 13 songs gain in quality and the lack of a singer can be seen as an advantage in this case. With "A Merry West End Christmas" from WEST END, the Christmas holidays can come. Happy Holiday!
The following review appeared in Good Times, translated here into English.
A MERRY WEST END CHRISTMAS (Cargo / Shack) is recommended for lovers of kitschy, schmaltzy country music. West End is a team of savvy Nashville studio musicians who mercilessly squeeze the tear glands here, especially on "Silent Night" and "Blue Christmas". As I said: a must-have for a sentimental Christmas.