Description
Vika & Linda have announced their eighth studio album – a Christmas-themed covers record titled ‘Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas!’ – alongside a cover of Tom Petty’s 1992 song ‘Christmas All Over Again’.
Named for Memphis soul legend Carla Thomas’ 1963 single – a cover of which closes out the record – ‘Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas!’ is set for release on November 4 via Bloodlines. On why Thomas’ song was picked for the album’s title, Vika Bull said in a press release: “We love Carla, and ‘Gee whiz’ is such a great expression and it really suited the vibe of the record.”
The upcoming album features 14 songs. Other standouts on the tracklist include takes on Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas’, Willie Nelson’s ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’ (itself a spin on a Charles Brown song), Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ and Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’.
It was recorded at Woodstock Studios in Melbourne, with producer Cameron Bruce playing keyboards alongside the sisters’ usual bandmates Ben Hauptmann (guitars), Richard Bradbeer (bass) and Lachlan O’Kane (drums). For their cover of The Staple Singers’ ‘Last Month Of The Year’ Linda’s daughter Kiki provided backing vocals.
