Album Notes

The Shut-Ins' long-awaited Christmas CD, recorded live at San Francisco's Bazaar Cafe. A Very Shut-Ins Christmas is bursting with the tight harmonies, snappy rhythms and quirky wit for which the purveyors of the patent-applied for "hulabilly sound" are well known. Whether it's the Bo Diddly beat of "Little Drummer Boy," the holiday poignancy of "I'd Rather Go to Prison," the examination of gift re-distribution in "Lasso Santa Claus," or the simple island greeting of "Mele Kalikimaka," the Shut-Ins' holiday collection is sure to make you look at Christmas in a whole new light - "Silent Night" contains perhaps the most sacrilegious solo section yet recorded by any man or beast.

Some people think the Shut-Ins are going to Hell for making this record, some people think it's funny, some people think both things....

The Shut-Ins are a mostly acoustic combo from San Francisco who specialize in "hulabilly" - a wacky blend of county-western, honky-tonk, bluegrass and Hawaiian music, all topped with tight vocal harmonies in the style of early- to mid-century acts such as the Blue Sky Boys and the Louvin Brothers. The Shut-Ins are a five-piece group, with ukulele, guitar, lap-steel, stand-up bass and small drum kit. They have a special place in their hearts for upbeat songs of pain, longing, and occasionally, happiness. Add to this an affinity for the bizarre, and a smattering of Hawaiian, and you have a unique combination of musical influences all delivered with "lofty energy and twinkle-eyed hi-jinx."