Hawkestrel: SpaceXmas

As you may know, Hawkestrel is a spin-off project from its parent band Hawkwind, formed by Hawkwind alum Alan Davey. Hawkwind band mates Nik Turner and Huw Lloyd-Langton (who passed away in 2012) join Davey along with notable musicians and artists including Glenn Hughes, Rick Wakeman and Robbie Krieger. Davey was able to obtain Huw’s session files from Cleopatra Records and work them into the recording. Pretty cool I have to say.

2020 was a busy year for Hawkestrel, releasing Hawkestrel Presents Pre-Med, Pioneers of Space and SpaceXmas. I should point out SpaceXmas is my first foray into the band’s music, and I really had no idea what to expect, except being a Christmas album. The prospect of space rock and Yuletide fare certainly had my interest level piqued. There is a mix of classic tunes with some notable twists to keep it all interesting, and some original compositions. Seven of the twelve tracks are instrumentals.

The disc kicks off with the Christmas classic “Oh Holy Night�. The band keeps the original melody in tact but add classy keyboards and a lushness to the sound that is absolutely captivating, made even more so by the excellent vocals of Glenn Hughes. The heavier version of “We Three Kings� features spacey keyboard and guitar textures and in the Lloyd-Langton original “It’s A Wonderful (Funny Old) Life� the spacey synths and guitar still invoke the feeling of Christmas time, a truly beautiful track. Mellotron flutes and acoustic guitar dominate “Seasons�, another Lloyd-Langton penned tune. Huw’s slightly processed lead vocals are stellar and when the huge bass line takes hold its all space rock bliss from there. To lighten the mood the amusing “Twelve Daze Of Drinxmas� ends the disc on a space rock high note.

SpaceXmas is a fine, and rather unique Christmas album which will get played once the wind starts to blow and snow begins to fall. Recommended.

A Purple Pyramid Records release, under the umbrella of Cleopatra Records.

Track Listing:
1. Oh Holy Night
2. We Three Kings
3. It’s A Wonderful (Funny Old) Life
4. Silent Night
5. Seasons
6. Little Drummer Boy
7. Für Kirsty
8. Ein Weihnachliches Lustobjekt
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. Jingle Bells
11. Hallelujah
12. Twelve Daze Of Drinxmas

Added: September 26th 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 683
Language: english

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