Saxophonist Mars Williams is most famous as a member of The Psychedelic Furs, but has proven his jazz bona fides with Peter Brötzmann and Ken Vandermark, and while guiding Liquid Soul and Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble, to name just a few. (His rock CV is also varied, including Akron New Wave band The Waitresses and work with Billy Idol, Ministry, Massacre, and many more.) He also leads the Albert Ayler tribute band Witches & Devils, and out of their holiday concerts grew a unique tradition.
One look at this album's track titles and you'll understand the concept here. One listen and you'll hear that, as odd as that concept may seem, it's brilliantly effective, with the disparate melodies working together in their common projection of joy and celebration. And it's worth noting that Williams's worlds collide on track 3 here, featuring The Waitresses' biggest hit, "Christmas Wrapping", on which Williams played on the original recording.
After enjoying “An Ayler Xmas” Vol. 1 last year, ESP invited him to make vol. 2 a co-release of Williams's Soul What label and ESP-Disk', the top Ayler label.
Mars will be supporting the release with both Witches & Devils' annual Xmas show and tours in the U.S. and Europe using renowned local musicians.
Tracks 1, 3, 4 recorded live at The Hungry Brain, Chicago
Featuring: WITCHES & DEVILS
Mars Williams – Saxes, Toy Instruments
Josh Berman – Cornet
Fred Lonberg-holm - Cello
Jim Baker – Piano, Arp Synth, Viola
Kent Kessler - Bass
Brian Sandstrom – Bass, Guitar, Trumpet
Steve Hunt – Drums, Percussion
Jeb Bishop, trombone (track 1 only)
Tracks 2, 5 recorded live at Porgy & Bess, Vienna, Austria
Featuring:
Mars Williams – Sax, Toy Instruments
Thomas Berghammer - Trumpet
Hermann Stangassinger - Bass
Didi Kern – Drums, Percussion
Christof Kurzmann – lloopp, vocals
TRACKS 1,2 CONTAIN MUSIC WRITTEN BY:
ALBERT AYLER (Syndicore/BMI)
TRACK 3 CONTAINS MUSIC WRITTEN BY:
ALBERT AYLER (BMI) © Spurt Music (BMI)
CHRIS BUTLER (Future Fossil Music / BMI)
TRACKS 4 CONTAINS MUSIC WRITTEN BY:
ALBERT AYLER (Syndicore/BMI)
KATHERINE K. DAVIS (EMI MILLS MUSIC / ASCAP)
TRACK 5 CONTAINS MUSIC WRITTEN BY:
ALBERT AYLER (ROUND HILL MUSIC / BMI)
HOLIDAY SONGS: PUBLIC DOMAIN
ARRANGED BY: MARS WILLIAMS (Music From Mars /BMI)
TRACKS 1, 3, 4
RECORDED, MIXED & MASTERED BY: DAVE ZUCHOWSKI
TRACK 2, 5
RECORDED BY: Porgy & Bess, Vienna
DESIGN BY: RICH GOOD
SOUL WHAT RECORDS / ESP disk'
SWR 0004
1. XMAS MEDLEY 15:15
2. O TANNENBAUM - SPIRITS - 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (VIENNA) 11:35
3. LOVE CRY - CHRISTMAS WRAPPING 04:41
4. CAROL OF THE DRUM - BELLS - O COME EMMANUEL - JOY TO THE WORLD 17:24
5. UNIVERSAL INDIANS - WE WISH YOU A MERRY XMAS (VIENNA) 04:49
