A Philly Special Christmas Party
Make light, if you will (and I will), of the unstable nature of the Philadelphia Eagles over the past three seasons. A Super Bowl loss, followed by starting 10-1 in 2023 before nose diving their way to an embarrassing first round loss to Tampa Bay, then beginning this season with a rash of calamities, including a temper tantrum from coach Nick Sirianni, all before (seemingly) righting the ship as we approach Thanksgiving. This only slightly gratuitous shot at the City of Brotherly Love comes from a good place – really – because, for the third holiday season in a row, members of that very football organization, along with MANY of their musical besties, have put together a fun, highly re-listenable album of holiday favorites and originals, all in support of a few good causes. The Philly Specials are back with their third, and purportedly final, Christmas collection, A Philly Special Christmas Party.
This project started two years ago, spearheaded by retired linebacker Connor Barwin and then-center Jason Kelce. That twosome enlisted offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, convinced The War on Drugs drummer Charlie Hall to produce (and bring several of his bandmates), and brought a wealth of legitimate musical titans on board. This winning formula (which raised over four million dollars for Philadelphia-based charities in its first two years) continues through the trilogy of albums, with the first single from the latest rendition, “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights),” asking Philly R&B legends Boyz II Men to assist Jason Kelce (now retired himself) and brother Travis (you know the guy) in reminiscing on their early 90s childhood in Ohio – “All the empty stores and shopping malls/I remember different in my mind” – and what’s changed since football and worldwide fame have pulled them away. Another Kelce shows up in “Loud Little Town.” Jason’s ever-patient wife Kylie provides some lovely vocals in a look at Christmas from the perspective of young parents – “There were little feet on our wooden floor/As you hung the wreath on the door.” And none other than Stevie Nicks stops by to join Jason Kelce on the introspective, Ron Sexsmith-penned “Maybe This Christmas.” Bonus for the true Americana nerds out there – these last two tracks also include gorgeous pedal steel from the legendary Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner.
Aside from the deep feelings, there’s plenty of jolly silliness on A Philly Special Christmas Party. The boys all gather for a football-centric take on the Chipmunks chestnut “Christmas Don’t Be Late” (with Kelce, naturally, filling in for the rascally Alvin). Devon Gilfillian joins the team on the buoyant (and non-holiday exclusive) Sam Cooke classic “Having a Party.” And Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn re-penned one of his band’s signature songs, “Jesus Drives an Astrovan,” to fit the Philly Special theme. “Santa Drives an Astrovan” converts some of Mt. Joy’s trademark alt-rock jangle into December jingle, along with a “doobie smoking Santa” promising everlasting life, Philadelphia-style: “You’ll always be famous in Philly/And you know you’ll always be winning.” Well, at least ‘til the calendar flips to January…
Go here to order A Philly Special Christmas Party (out November 22): https://phillyspecialchristmas.com/
Read more about two of the beneficiaries of A Philly Special Christmas Special below:
https://www.cctckids.org/
https://www.chop.edu/
Enjoy last year’s review here: REVIEW: A Philly Special Christmas Special
