THE BUTTIES: 12 Greatest Carols

The Butties

12 Greatest Carols

© 2005 The Butties (634479205408)

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Fab Holiday Classics. Your fave Christmas Carols arranged and recorded with a very gear Mersey beat style

notes

It began as a wintertime whim back in 2000: record 3 yuletide tunes, arrangements inspired by a fab 60's vibe. The Butties released the CD "3" the following year and things started to snowball. In 2005 production completed and the result is "12 Greatest Carols": a collection of (you guessed it) a dozen Christmas carols, including the Butties' version of "Joy to the World" heard on the movie soundtrack of "Christmas with the Kranks" and on the NBC sitcom "Scrubs."

But what's the deal with the name "Butties"?
In the UK, "Butty" is slang for a fairly unhealthy sandwich (popular with a certain Merseyside group) consisting of bread, butter and one other sweet or salty or starchy ingredient (bacon or jam or cheese or chips, etc). Besides this screamingly obvious reference, the word "Butties" happens to look pretty nice on a bass drum (the "B" and the second "T" are in just the right places).

The band started in 1983 as a casual side project for Paul, Sam, Mark and Robbo when they were students at Syracuse University. The group provided an effective excuse to avoid studying and still appear busy. A few years after leaving school and going their separate ways, the lads discovered plenty of pressing responsibilities in the real world, too; despite living in cities thousands of miles apart, they made arrangements to begin playing again. Nowadays the Butties manage to regroup at least a couple times a year, usually playing marathon shows that run from 4-6 hours.

Cheers from the Butties to you.

email us at info@thebutties.com

reviews

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  • 12 Greatest Carols
    author: Mary Carroll

    This was so much fun! Beginning with "Joy to the World" which so reminded me of a Christmastime radio interview with the Beatles so long ago...! I played this during our office Holiday Party and it was such a hit I treated them to "Riding the Wave"....

  • BRILLIANT!
    author: Jeanne Dunn

    Any true Beatles fan will find The Butties renditions of these traditional Christmas carols to be brilliantly arranged and vocally true -- a real tribute with a lot of heart, a dash of humor and an authentic sound. A real joy to listen to during the holidays (or any time of year)! GET THIS CD for any Beatle-lover in your life, and he or she will become a die-hard Butties fan as well.

  • 12 Greatest Carols
    author: susan barnes

    Brilliant arrangements.Really enjoyed them but just to be yout typical English pedant... "Santa Claus is coming to town" and "A Jolly Old St. Nicholas" are good songs but they're not carols. Oh and butties are not toasted

  • Rack Space
    author: Michael Czarkowski

    I'm only too happy to add the Butties to my Beatles-inspired Christmas collections. 12 Greatest Christmas Carols fits quite nicely next to the Fab Four and Beatmas albums. They're all terrific, different approaches to the same end. A few years have gone by; love to hear if Sam and the boys have cooked up some new songs!

  • The Butties 12 Greatest Christmas Carols
    author: Victor Duepner

    A must have for any true Beatles fan!! You will wish that Chrismas was year round to keep hearing this album. Great for the casual fan and for the hardcore Beatles fan. The small details in the music lets you know that the Butties are a true tribute band. Don't hesitate, buy it now!

  • A Joy To The World!
    author: Joep & Julie Huijbregts, Galesburg IL

    This CD doesn't need many words, because it speaks for itself. If it should be compared to anything in the music world, the best compliment given would be that it is in the same league as Big Daddy's "Sgt. Peppers". But it doesn't need comparing: it's a joy to listen to this fabulous music experience. The first three CD's we bought have been sent to Europe and the US and we will go on spreading the word: Have yourself a merry little Christmas, because the Butties are coming to town. Halleluia!

  • Hysterically clever!
    author: Kerri Hayden

    Have lost count of how many I have bought - I think it's 7 copies up to now. The word is out there - it's fantastic!

  • Clevah Lads!
    author: 'Berta

    Truly a loving collection of Beatle-tinged holiday cheer. I thought Beatmas had this genre covered, but this CD certainly works for me, year round.

  • FABULOUS!
    author: Mary Sugar

    What a FABULOUS cd! I knew these guys waaaay back in college, and they've just gotten better and better. The evolution of their talents and musical abilities is really wonderful to hear - I've already bought 4 copies for gifts, and this is fast becoming my favorite Christmas cd ever! Screamingly funny at times, sophisticated and clever arrangements, this is just FUN!

  • Enjoying every minute of pure Beatle(less) rendition of songs
    author: Jun B

    The whole family loves listening to new and refreshing songs that reminds us of the Fab Four and all of the British rock groups....love it love it love it !!

  • Outstanding CD if you like the Beatles
    author: Bernie

    I was a little leary of buying this CD, but I was more than satisfied with it. The songs on this CD are basically Beatles songs done in Beatles-style, but with the lyrics to traditional Christmas songs. If you like Christmas music and like the Beatles, it's a must have.

  • You think it's just a clever gimmick, until about your 50th play, when you reali
    author: likenewmusic

    I ordered this on a whim, having heard the clever "Joy to the World" track on some anthology or other. Figured I'd fast forward through it once or twice for a few laughs. But the first time I put the CD on, I was amazed. This disc works on so many levels: as parody, as tribute, as seasonal merry maker; but however you choose to listen to it, you won't doubt for a minute that these guys are outstanding musicians. The attention to detail and joyous conjuring of genuine Beatles magic in the playing and production is nothing short of astonishing. If you're debating for even a minute whether to spring for this one, stop dithering and place an order for not one, but five copies now. That way you'll already have the copies to give away once you've heard the disc and are summoned with the irresistable urge to spread the fun by giving a copy to every one of your Beatle loving friends. Yeah, you could go cheap and burn copies for your friends...but what kinda karma is that to carry into the Christmas season? Besides, you know Santa's watching!

  • Amazing
    author: Mike

    Even though the cd was a random find its great for all lovers of the Beatles or just Christmas music in general. It made a great Christmas gift for my parents.

  • Couldn't be better!
    author: jcrodden

    We had a great time shouting out which fab four tune a particular track here was imitating. And then we found layer upon layer of musical quotes in the pieces. Very creative, well played, great musicianship!

  • Where has this been all my life?!!!
    author: Mike Stevens

    An absolutely wonderful CD. An instant classic that is so clever and so well done, you'll play it year round. If you're a Beatles fan, or if you know one, this CD is a guaranteed hit. I ended up buying copies for all my friends and relatives here at CD Baby. Why the radio stations haven't discovered this one is beyond me! Get it!

  • lottsa fun. very well done
    author: bob nolte

    hey this a lot better than i expected. very interesting how they wove their influences. really is alot of fun. will put a smile on us boomers.

  • Just incredible
    author: Angie

    This CD guarantees to put you in the Christmas spirit! The talent of these guys being able to put Christmas songs to Beatles melodies will blow you away!

  • Just brill!
    author: Nick

    This is like sex for the ears! Keep listening to Joy to the World and eventually you will stop singing Please Please Me! I can't wait for the Butties to come over to the UK and make it big. I fully recommend this CD for a fab Christmas and a funky new year

  • Love, love, love (it)!
    author: Ulrike

    They have everything a tribute act should have, like talent, accuracy and respect. This CD is packed with arrangements masterly weaving traditionals with fab4 hints... melodies that will creep into your ear and stay there. After some time, you might even wonder whether it’s a Beatles original or one of these tracks you’re just whistling... The Butties have done a brillant job, esp. on “What Child Is This” avec les mots de Monsieur Lloyd qui vont très bien ensembles, and “A Jolly Old St. Nicholas”, so wonderful it leaves me speachless every time i hear it. And – all you flower children out there – would you PLEASE PLEASE take a look at the artwork! Because this is a great album all over.

  • The Butties is the perfect blend of classic Beatlish Christmas Carols
    author: Thomas Moore

    Being a big Beatles fan, I was enthralled with the perfectly captured Beatles style pureed with the best of the classic holiday favorites. A must have.

  • What A Magical Mystery Musical Trip!
    author: PCat

    What better way to celebrate the holidays than by taking what can be routine and making it special! That's what this CD does - new looks at old favorites. I can't wait for Christmas so that my friends don't look at me strangely when I pop this into the CD player again...

  • Brilliant...
    author: Dan Chicorel

    The Butties are genius. I love the concept of what they did. I've already shared it with friends and family and also bought their Blanks CD too. I have been humming their songs since getting both and am now their biggest fan! Do another CD!!!

  • A great spin on Christmas music
    author: Andrew M.

    While I didn't find out about this CD until after the New Year, I can't wait to share this album with friends and family this holiday season. Kudos to Sam and the guys on top-notch musical orchestrations.

  • The Beatles live on thru the Butties!
    author: Tom Hoehler

    This CD is a winner all around. The sound quality is A+, the melodies are true to the carols, and the arrangements are as clever as I have ever heard. The closest thing to this album is the Ventures Christmas album from a few years ago. The Butties have definately nailed the sound and spirit of the Beatles. Don't think about ordering this CD, ORDER IT! You'll love it!

  • A double-barrelled sign of genius!
    author: Dave Shepherd

    Two years ago my wife got me the DVD of the Ed Sullivan Shows featuring the Fab Four for Christmas. This time I'm giving her The Butties' CD. This is amazing stuff! They absolutely nail the arrangements and sound of the original Beatles material, yet stay completely true to the melodies of the carols/song they're covering. (The French text on "What Child" is especially inspired!) This project is a sign of The Butties' genius and love of the Fab Four--but it's also a brilliant tribute to the genius of George Martin and the The Beatles.

  • This is the Coolest Christmas Albumn ever.!...Very Creative!
    author: paul russo

    This is the Coolest Christmas Albumn ever. Why dont they do this for every band. Try the Monkees next time...would love to hear "Hey, Hey We're the Wisemen" or something like that. Maybe another x-mas albumn is in the works? Can't wait! Keep up the great work and great creative tunes too!

  • Great Christmas Music
    author: G Atkerson

    This is one of the greatst Christmas collections my family and I have heard in years. If you enjoy the Beatles then you will certainly enjoy the Butties and what they have done with this collection.

  • Hands Down Best Beatles Christmas CD EVER!
    author: George M

    Beatlemania who? Vegas’ Fab Four, what? Step aside all Beatles tribute bands, the torch has been passed to The Butties and they deserve every accolade. If I could give it eleven stars, I would. For all those who love the Beatles, this is the finest album I’ve heard in ages and a must have. And if you love Christmas carols (hot dang), you’ve hit the jackpot! Ingeniously arranged, they must have spent years putting this together. Whoops! They did!

  • Great Beatles-arranged Christmas Tunes!
    author: Jeffrey

    My Christmas Music collection includes CDs by 'The Rubber Band', 'The Fab Four', 'Twisted Tunes' which are christmas songs performed ala Beatles-style. Last year I added 'The Butties 3' to my collection then I just received this cd. Fantastic job guys! Love the cd!!!

  • "12 Greatest Carols" is a work of musical (and perhaps comic) genius.
    author: Dan Klass - Host, The Bitterest Pill podcast (www.thebitterestpi

    Masterful! The Butties have outdone themselves! Imagine if, instead of recording "A Day In The Life," "Michelle" and "My Guitar Gently Weeps," the Beatles recorded those songs as Christmas carols. That is the mind-boggling conceit of "12 Greatest Carols." These are not Christmas carols simply done in the style of The Beatles. They are artful and loving hybrids: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" becomes "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." "Twist and Shout" is rewritten as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." The Butties somehow manage to span the entire Beatles catalogue, from the skiffle-sounds of the early days in "Joy To The World" right through to their final album with "Let It Snow." (Yes, I am ashamed to admit I didn't get the joke from just reading the title of the final track. Needless to say, once I was in on it with the lads, it lived up to its name sake's promise...) "12 Greatest Carols" is a work of musical (and perhaps comic) genius. Buy this disc. Buy one for your friends who love Beatles , they'll love it. Buy one for your friends who hate the Beatles, they may love it more... Sugar Plum Fairy... Sugar Plum Fairy... Sugar Plum Fairy...

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