Erik Darling - Singer / Songwriter / Artist

Erik Darling's "Revenge of the Christmas Tree" presents modern folk music with a bluegrass soul. Anyone who has wrestled mightily with a messy, fresh-cut tree at Christmastime will identify with the woes described in the title number. With the exception of the traditional Bright Morning Stars, this album essentially presents all new material, and it is well-crafted, catchy, and professionally executed. On occasion, Darling takes liberties with well-known carols or texts. This is gutsy country-folk fare that will entertain a broad audience.

At least half of Revenge of the Christmas Tree presents a sly tongue-in-cheek attitude that is free-flowing fun. The other half is slightly more serious holiday fare, but in the warm-hearted, story-telling vein. This is just the sort of music that I would hope to hear at my neighborhood pub--a seasoned, guitar-strumming artist with a rough & rugged voice that readily pumps lively character into folk lyrics, and a highly-skilled, small ensemble providing superb support. I especially enjoyed how Darling (with P. street) put the classic story The Night Before Christmas into song format. This is the longest cut, and it regales listeners with an ongoing "Doodle-Dang" refrain. Fun!

For the last track, Darling freely adapts Here We Come A-Wassailing with new lyrics, making it his own Love and Joy. It is a warm and fitting close to fine folk album.

Erik, we just played your album. We both filpped out over it. I think its the best thing I've ever heard you do. Relaxed, funny, musically mature and wonderfully inventive. We both completely loved it and I know it will be something we listen to for years to come. A big congratulations to you. I'd like to write more, but I have to go and listen to the album again.

I received a wonderful new holiday CD from Erik Darling! Erik has recorded a 12 song CD called "Revenge of the Christmas Tree." The title cut will hit home to anyone who has ever cut their own Christmas tree! Erik has written several new songs, updated a few others, and put together a wonderful recording for the holiday season.

"Aunt Rhody's Christmas" is a moving piece that is appropriate for the times we live in. Erik has a new version of "Walk Right In," the Gus Cannon song that Erik turned into a top 40 hit with the Rooftop Singers. I've heard other artists attempt to put "The Night Before Christmas" to music, but none have done it as well as Erik with a really "folkie" setting for Clement Moore's holiday classic.

Congratulations on your REVENGE OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE! I laughed, I cried, and my heart smiled. Nay, I HOWLED, I cried, and my heart smiled. Every line in the title song was funny---I'm sure because so many of us could relate. "AUNT RHODY'S CHRISTMAS" is a truth well done. As a dream worker, a know-thyself person, I found "THE DIT DIT SONG" the most powerful. My overall favorite is your new version of “12 GATES TO THE CITY.” But I loved them all --- for their poignant, funny and heart felt messages.

Anita Hall
Dream Worker

Reviews of "Revenge of the Christmas Tree