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Every year brings something new to Christmasreviews.com. Like the best Texas beaches, the surf never fails to wash up the usual selection of driftwood, whiskey bottles, light bulbs and women's high-heel slippers. But invariably there will come a morning when something washes up, the likes of which I've never seen.

Previously Unreleased Holiday Recordings is Dennis Flannigan's 2007 mix tape. For the past twenty years Flannigan has been compiling unique and interesting selections of holiday music which is only available for gift or trade. This year's collection is something of an upgrade, in my opinion: a live studio recording session featuring the songs and various ramblings of folkies Bryan Bowers, Jim Page and Evan Purcell.

On this beachcomber's delight, one will find everything from folk originals, to personal holiday stories, to Zen jokes, to the occasional Christmas chestnut. Bowers, Page, and Purcell talk and riff their way through 21 unique and original selections bound to warm the hearts of folk mavens as well as those of us who just enjoy listening to good old boys swap funny stories and jokes. I don't know if the folk songs are originals, but I hadn't heard any of them. And, wow, what a collection!

Now, you won't find this wonderful live album in stores, and you can't buy it online. In fact, you can't buy it at all. However, you can click on the Artist Site link below to find out more, or you can write Dennis Flannigan if you have something of value you'd like to swap for a copy of this once-in-a-lifetime-and-never-again-seen collection of flotsam and jetsam.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Please welcome to your ears, Bryan Bowers, Jim Page and Evan Purcell. The best of all the holidays and a happy new year to each of you listening. A special thanks to Ilse Flannigan, the best thing in my life, to Bryan, Jim, Evan for being on their game in the studio, to Tim (recording engineer); my friend and designer, Chuck Pennington for his talents, friendship, and insights. Don Chapman and Videoland in Olympia turned the master disc, Chuck's graphics, and the good music into what you're holding in your hands. --Dennis Flannigan

Bryan Bowers, Jim Page and Evan Purcell

Previously Unreleased Holiday Recordings

Artist site

Track List