Cledus Navidad (Monument/Sony, 2002)
Cledus T. Judd
Reviewed by Brian Wahlert
Country comedy singer Judd's first Christmas album opens with "Cledus' Christmas Ball," which pokes fun at country stars from Billy Gilman ("I want the Billy Gilman action figure") to Kenny Rogers ("hey, that's not Santa Claus - that's Kenny Rogers, the gambler"). A comedy Christmas album wouldn't be complete without a remake of the Elmo & Patsy classic, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Judd's version features a slow, hard-rock chorus, juxtaposed with fiddle-filled, upbeat verses. On "Tree's on Fire," a parody of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," Judd tries to affect Cash's quavering bass, as a fire crackles in the background. The closing song is "All I Want for Christmas Is Two Gold Front Teef," which pokes fun at hip hop music.
The performances here are nothing to write home about, so once you've laughed through the album once or twice, there's not much to encourage repeated listens. A funny album, but not one that will become a December staple.
CDs by Cledus T. Judd

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