Home Tech Tips Security Products TDS Fiber Online Life TV Biz Blog Visit Our Websites Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Christmas Caravan by Austin Krueger on November 30, 2021 in Online Life Sing it with me: it’s the most, polarizing time…of the year! Andy Williams parodies aside, I’m not talking about the holidays themselves, but the introduction of Christmas music into your preferred listening devices. While it’s not really my cup of tea, I know I’ll hear a ton of it over the next few weeks. Just as in years past, I’m going to embrace it and try to find some new stuff that I may enjoy. Around 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Jimbo Mathus and his then-wife Katharine Whalen founded a band. With four or five other members, they began playing local jazz shows and generating a bit of a following. Needing a name, “Nut Zippers” is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine. There happened to be a newspaper story about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down even with police presence. The headline was “Squirrel Nut Zipper” and the band loved it. It’s also a brand of caramel and peanut candy, but they claim no relation to that. Around that time in music history there was a bit of a revival of swing music and the Zips were one of the bands who made it popular again. It’s almost a shame that I’m not featuring them in their natural musical habitat—but maybe in an odd way, I actually am? One day I’ll catalog one of their actual swing records, because they’re delightfully different—but a holiday album that is equally delightfully different will have to do for now. Somehow, the eclectic act got an invite to perform at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and at President Clinton’s second inaugural ball. While they were riding high on those performances, a holiday album titled Christmas Caravan hit shelves in October of 1998. While on the surface this transformation may not make a ton of sense—it’s important to note the swing revival was fully over by this point, and the band was struggling to find their footing. This album isn’t at all a nod to their launching pad, but simply a collection of holiday music that feels closer to 1950’s pop/rock than anything else. Unlike most yuletide albums, Christmas Caravan consists mostly of their own material, and not just regurgitated standards done in a unique style. I really appreciate that. Even their best-selling album wasn’t one that sits in the millions—so they knew something quirky like this wasn’t likely to generate a ton of sales either. But it was just like them to put something out that no one else was really doing at the time. And listening to it today, it has a very classic feel to it, something I’d have not expected from them either. Because of the unconventional nature of this album, there aren’t a lot of critical reviews from the record or even a lot of information on it at all. Basically, the band convinced the label to do it, and their wish was granted because their top album “Hot” had exceeded any and all expectations. A couple critics seemed to enjoy the new material and subtle jokes about the holidays and the general reverence for the time of the year. Others seemed to really want “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” done in the Zips’ swing style, so they were disappointed. You do get one fun take on “Sleigh Ride” that’s solely an instrumental version with enough instruments featured to fill an airplane hangar, so feel free to skip to track five if that’s what you’re into. But if you’re into an album of good, new, holiday songs to have on in the background at your next party, this is a great fit. Surprisingly I’m glad I threw this one on today. It definitely put me more into the spirit and I might even decorate my house tonight. Of course, I’ll have Christmas Caravan on again, this time blaring over my sound system instead of my headphones. Squirrel Nut Zippers have been on/off many times over the years—but give this one a shot today. It might just be my new favorite in their discography. Top 3 Tracks: I’m Coming Home For Christmas Carolina Christmas Winter Weather Share: Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Related Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Brian Setzer August 30, 2016 In "Online Life" What’s New on TV: “Philomena,” “Walter Mitty” and “Ride Along” highlight new films April 14, 2014 In "News" Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Eels November 4, 2014 In "Online Life" About Austin Krueger Austin works as a cost analyst for TDS Telecom in the Government and Regulatory Affairs team. He has a marketing degree from UW-Whitewater and has worked in various departments including marketing, sales and network services since joining TDS in 2004. He is a huge sports fan – if he’s not at work, odds are you can find him at Miller Park, Lambeau Field, Camp Randall or the Kohl Center watching the game. In his spare time, he’s chairman of a local non-profit, avid music fan, rec sports MVP and an early adopter when it comes to most new technologies. View all posts by Austin Krueger → Connect with TDS Stay connected with TDS Home for the latest news. Related Posts: FTC: Celebrate Hanukkah without the scams FTC: Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this Hallmark Christmas movie bingo 2021 Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Greta Van Fleet 10 great Thanksgiving movies FTC: Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this FTC: Celebrate Hanukkah without the scams No comments yet. Leave a Comment TDS Connect Blog Learn more about how TDS can keep you connected in the home with Internet, TV, TDS Fiber, DVR and phone services and solutions. LATEST POPULAR COMMENTS TAGS FTC: Celebrate Hanukkah without the scams DECEMBER 1, 2021 Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Christmas Caravan NOVEMBER 30, 2021 FTC: Before you join that crowdfunding campaign, read this NOVEMBER 24, 2021 Cheap Tunes Tuesday: AIC MTV Unplugged NOVEMBER 23, 2021 Half-off SHOWTIME offer ends Dec. 31 NOVEMBER 22, 2021 Connect: Stay connected with TDS Home for the latest news. About TDS TDS Telecom. is the 7th largest telecom provider in the U.S., and our parent company is Telephone and Data Systems Inc. Of course, we have a few cool sister companies too, like U.S. Cellular and OneNeck® IT Solutions. Bottom-line: At TDS it’s our job to connect people at home and at work. We connect people nationwide, in rural communities and metro areas alike. We connect people running big businesses, start-ups, and even at- home teleworkers with Internet, phone, data, and TV services. Copyright © 2021, TDS Telecommunications Corporation, All Rights Reserved. Site by Parr Interactive – Madison Web Design Recent Comments Debbie on Give thanks for a HBO and Cinemax free preview! Missy Kellor on Hallmark Christmas movie bingo 2021 Colleen on Hallmark Christmas movie bingo 2021 Austin on Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Golden Earring Missy Kellor on TDS TV Expanded gets Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Links TDS Business TDS Business Blog TDS on Facebook TDS on LinkedIn TDS on Twitter TDS on YouTube TDS Telecom Most Popular Where is my Wi-Fi password and SSID? How to search and find your digital footprint Bally Sports App Not Working? Here’s how to Fix It Give thanks for a HBO and Cinemax free preview! Cheap Tunes Tuesday: Squirrel Nut Zippers' Christmas Caravan Hallmark Christmas movie bingo 2021 When visiting the TDS® website, cookies may be placed on your device to customize your experience. Cookies may collect personal information and may share that information with third parties. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storage of cookies on your device and related sharing. Please read our Cookie Notice to learn more. Modify Cookie Settings Accept All Cookies