Chuck Leavell What's In That Bag? CD

This project started out as a personal Christmas Card back in l998...with the help of my friend, David Clark, and the encouragement of my wife, Rose Lane.I recorded a few tracks of Christmas music and had them pressed up as CDs and cassettes to send to relatives and friends. Phil Walden was very complimentary and suggested that I add more material and other musicians. Johnny Sandlin,my long time friend helped me polish the CD. I have always loved Christmas Music especially such classics as Greensleeves, We Three Kings and O Holy Night. They are timeless and a joy to play. The additition of some originalmaterial and some R&B standards round out the program. All I can say is that I hope the listener enjoys the material as much as all of us made it did. Thanksand MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL......CHUCK LEAVELL

In blues-rock circles, Chuck Leavell was famed for his work with the Allman Brothers and the Rolling Stones, but he never cut a solo album to showcase his talents. When he began his solo career in 1998, he made an odd choice -- he decided to record a Christmas album, What's in That Bag?. Even though it isn't a choice many other musicians may have made, the resulting album is quite charming. His backing group of studio musicians, including the Muscle Shoals Horns and vocalist Lisa Fischer, is first-rate, and the album has a warm feel which suits the carols just right. Leavell throws in a couple of originals (including the great "Hey Santa") and newly written tunes to balance such standards as "Merry Christmas Baby," "Greensleeves," "Away in a Manger," "We Three Kings," "Joy to the World" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." It all makes for a pleasing, bluesy holiday album that happens to also confirm Leavell's great talents as a keyboardist. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Personnel: Chuck Leavell (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, organ, keyboards); Scott Boyer, Kevin Holly, Mike Copeland (guitar); Dave Pomeroy, David Hood, David Hungate (bass guitar); Roger Hawkins, Mark Hynes (drums); Lisa Fischer, Muscle Shoals Horns.

Entertainment Weekly (12/4/98, p.107) - "...Rollicking, casually funky, and Dixie-fried, Leavell's holiday album is for those who prefer roasting pecans over an open fire." - Rating: B