Album Review

Huey And The New Yorkers – Christmas By The Side Of The Road

• 13th Dec 2012

Huey Morgan will release a festive single in aid of the charity Help For Heroes. The country style Christmas By The Side Of The Road was perhaps the obvious choice from his the rather good solo album, Say It To My Face. And the single from a man who was once a US Marine will raise money to help wounded, injured and sick military service personnel, veterans and their families in the UK.

The song tells of a soldier coming home to spend Christmas in New York with his mother after five years away. But his old car (“that ’58 Chevy with the engine block crack”) breaks down and being Christmas there are no tow trucks available. He is just 55 miles from home (“I can see the lights of the city through the snow”) but there’s nothing he can do except hope that momma knows he tried his best.

Morgan’s slow lyrical delivery is almost spoken in places but the emotional tone keeps the song on the right side of cheesy. And there is some lovely soft pedal steel guitar from BJ Cole to add to the gentle vibe of the single too.

The b-side is a cover of one of the few really great festive songs, John Lennon’s classic Merry Christmas (War Is Over). Morgan puts his own stamp on the song, the deep and powerful vocals delivering the message of peace rather nicely. And there is a lovely soft guitar solo on the track too.

So if you’re looking for something a bit different from the usual awful Xmas singles, this is a good alternative. Two fine tracks and all money raised going to a good cause too – what could be better?

Venue: Christmas By The Side Of The Road
Support Band: Naim Edge