Tunafish Jones celebrates release of its first holiday album
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By JEFF KORBELIK / GZO
Tunafish Jones has eight CDs to its credit, but had yet to produce a holiday album.
Until now.
The local cover band, arguably one of the most popular in the area, recently released “We Three Kings.”
What: Tunafish Jones Christmas Party
Where: Sun Valley Restaurant and Lounge, 300 West P St.
When: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13
Tickets: $5 (limited to 150 each night); available in advance at the restaurant or at the door
The disc, costing $13, is available at Oak Creek Plants & Flowers and Bodhi Imports in Lincoln and James Arthur Vineyards in Raymond.
It also can be purchased online through cdbaby.com/cd/tunafishjones.
Marsha “Mars” McCracken, who runs the band with her husband, Bruce, said the band purposely has avoided producing a holiday collection because the music is difficult to arrange and sing.
“Everybody sings these songs,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what it sounds like when it’s just you. But it matters when you make a CD.”
She said the band kicked around recording one for the last three or four years.
Finally, it was time.
“This is why this is a big deal,” McCracken said. “It was a challenging project, a huge endeavor.”
“We Three Kings” features 14 holiday favorites, bursting with Tunafish Jones’ signature jazzy sound.
Songs include “Silver Bells,” “Let It Snow,” a sultry take on “The Christmas Song,” a funky “Jingle Bells” and a unique version of “Sleigh Ride,” performed as a march, complete with a snare drum.
There’s also one original, “Christmas Carousel,” which McCracken wrote.
“We not only wanted it to be interesting, but something you haven’t heard over and over before,” she said. “We wanted it to be soothing and relaxing — something you can enjoy year after year and not get tired of it.”
Featured on the album are McCracken (vocals), Bruce McCracken (synthesizers, guitar, vocals) and Frank Lightell (alto, tenor and soprano sax).
The band will celebrate the release next weekend with a holiday-themed concert at Sun Valley Restaurant and Lounge.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
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