For a decade or so Polyphonic Spree has performed a production of holiday music annually in Dallas, Texas, their hometown. This carefully orchestrated event includes the group’s traditional robe costume in a holiday reprise, the entire Polyphonic group orchestra, kids, the famous Polyphonic Song Book, and even Santa! With the release of a new holiday album, Holidaydream: Sound of the Holidays Vol. One, they’re taking this show on the road. San Francisco is the third stop on the tour. While every Polyphonic Spree show is a bit of an extravaganza, this one is sure to delight. It’s more than appropriate for all ages; in fact children are invited on stage to frolic with Santa and the robed 24-piece Polyphonic Spree choir. If you think you might only be able to take so much of a talent show style holiday concert, have no fear this evening is a two-parter.
According to the venue’s website we can expect an “all-ages show, featuring an early set dedicated to the ‘Holidaydream’ material and a second, non-holiday, rock set. The all-ages, child-friendly shows will include the screening of traditional holiday films, an opening set by Gustafer Yellowgold, and a set of local performers unique to each city.” In San Francisco those local performers are: DJ Kenneth L. Kemp, Mad Science Fire & Ice Show, and Duckmandu.
Since it’s been awhile, how about a refresher? The Polyphonic Spree is the brain child of front man Tim DeLaughter, the band started as a twelve piece and quickly grew to include a choir, what could be argued as a small orchestra, and a rock band in an attempt to capture the sound and experience DeLaughter has been after all these years. He has said he’s not quite there yet, but hopes to be soon (hard to believe after twelve years).
Holidaydream: Sound of the Holidays Vol. One is the ensemble’s first record since The Fragile Army in 2007. Holidaydream has all the makings of a Polyphonic Spree album, which is to say we enter into the world of the Spree with a large psychedelic sound, walls of voices from the choir, and dream-like crescendos cascading like heavy snowfall in the winter. Ten songs are from previous Polyphonic Spree Holiday Extravaganzas, while two are new to the record.
