Milo Jones, X-Mas 2001

Self-released

Chris Dahlen

"Oh God damn, ain't it thrillin'," sings Milo Jones in his interpretation of "Winter Wonderland." I don't remember the line about putting pantyhose on a snowman, either. Or the thing about monkeys on Santa's sleigh on Mel Torme's "Christmas Song." Boston singer/songwriter Milo Jones has produced a remarkable Christmas album: his takes on the classics on X-Mas 2001 are the most honest and original recordings of this season.

Jones may be best known for his song "I Raise Hell," which was covered on the Squirrel Nut Zipper's Sold Out. He is a great interpreter of old country, pop and swing tunes, from "Be My Baby" and "The Look of Love" to "Pardon Me, I've Got Someone To Kill." His original songs are in the same vein, sometimes fast and aggressive, sometimes brooding and intimate. His voice is rough and sometimes drawling: it keeps to itself, but it's disarmingly honest. His eyelids audibly droop as he works his way through a ballad, but his fast tunes are snot-kicking swing and rock gems. He accompanies himself here on acoustic guitar and plays the way he sings: rough and graceful on the slow songs, bending notes the way he sings around the melody, but loose and fun on fast numbers like "Mele Kalikimaka."

Watch what happens on Christmas when you knock Kenny G's Holidays out of the player and put this on. Your family won't find his singing "pretty." Keep them at bay, because this is undeniably beautiful stuff. Jones sticks to familiar material, though he makes a few lyrical adjustments. The changes are funny but they're also inspired: maybe if more people took a chance with the lyrics, we'd remember that carols are supposed to be fun. But more remarkable are the religious songs, including "O Holy Night" and a setting of "The Lord's Prayer." Jones sings them with imperfect beauty and quiet joy. They are heartbreakingly sincere. With so many overblown Christmas albums around it's almost hard to handle someone who sings like he means it.

All four of Jones' self-released albums are recommended. He has released two other unaccompanied albums, 10 Songs and Ballads (which includes "I Raise Hell"). However, for a change of tempo, check out Absalom, a full-band album that shows off his electric guitar work. The cover of "Everybody's Twistin'" is worth the price alone.

Related resources

Milo Jones now has an official site, which includes mp3's from and ordering information for X-Mas 2001 and his other three albums.

It's hard to find Milo Jones in record stores, but his records are available on-line— check out his site for information—and if you live in Boston or New York City, you can find him at Other Music.