Search - Frank Lee Sprague :: Merry Merseybeat Christmas

The Heart of Christmas--Merseybeat Style

Scott S. Springer | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is the season and many of us always enjoy hearing the old Christmas standards as they play in elevators, grocery stores, department stores and almost anywhere else that you could go shopping. However, if you want something new and different, try "Merry Merseybeat Christmas" by Frank Lee Sprague. Because this particular Christmas music is based on the 60's Merseybeat style, I knew that hearing it was going to be a special experience, and it was. Let me tell you, Frank's talent just seems limitless when it comes to songwriting and musicianship. The cd opens with "She Gave Me Loneliness For Christmas" which is a slow reading of love lost with some fine harmonica work. Next up is the more uptempo title track "Merry Merseybeat Christmas" which employs sleigh bells used in the background at different intervals--a nice touch and a perfect fit for this song. Third in line is a festive Beatle like rocker called "Christmas Time" which is uplifting in both the music and lyrics. Again, holding true to Merseybeat, there are plenty of beautiful mid-tempo ballads such as "My Love Will Grow", "This Little Boy Is Gone", "Fall In Love On Christmas" and "Winter Gold" which blend Frank's vocals to create excellent examples of what a Mersey Christmas should sound like. But hold everything, yes, the real reason for the Christmas celebration is told in vivid clarity on "Peace On Earth" and "The Third Day". These two deeply spiritual tracks say volumes to the listener with a single line from each song. From "Peace On Earth" comes the lyric "no one is a stranger through the love that he brings" and from "The Third Day' Frank hits home with the line "death has passed over the blood of the lamb". After all, the real reason for Christmas is the birth of the savior and the good news that goes along with it. And with these two songs, Frank has told the story with a brilliant reading of voice and music that makes one humble upon listening to them--and what greater gift could a songwriter ask for than this. Overall, you end up with a very unique and entertaining Christmas cd because you'll not only play it every December but you will certainly find yourself putting it in the cd player all year long--it's that exceptional."