It was 9:00 am when I got the call.

“Sonny, it’s Abe. Hey, you want to play guitar for a session with Brian Wheat and me? The session is around noon today. We’re doing a Lennon song and it would be great if you could do it. I’d really appreciate it.”
Hmmm, let me think for a second. Play guitar at a fancy recording studio with multi-platinum Grammy-winning rock star Gods or sit in front of a computer at work. Hmmmmm, tough choice.
“I’d be honored,” I told Abe.
That was how I came to be a part of creating this rendition of John Lennon’s classic reaction to the Vietnam war, Happy Xmas (War Is Over).

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

Originally recorded in fall of 1971, it’s striking how John Lennon’s lyrics, sentiment and timely relevance stand up today. At that time, Richard Nixon was President, the slip was showing on the war in Vietnam, and technology was developed in many ways, infantile in many more. Sound familiar? There are many holiday songs that could be covered. The fact that they chose this one was no accident.

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

I’ve been playing guitar for about as long as Ben Ilfeld has been alive. I fancy myself a shoe-in when it comes to covering a song, but I thought it smart to run through this radio staple once before heading to the studio. (Insert metaphoric slap in the face sound and reddening skin.) This chord progression is much tougher than I thought. (Download tablature, call off all meetings, cancel all appointments, cram like there’s no tomorrow.) I can’t go in there looking like a hack. While the song sounds simple, the chords and finger movements are anything but. “Oh yeah,“ I thought. “John Lennon was in the Beatles. He's pretty good.”

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

The session is at the Pus Cavern, a Sacramento iconic studio run by owners Joe & Lesa Johnston. We kick off with Abe Cunningham on drums, Tesla’s Brian Wheat on bass, and me on guitar. Instantly, the vibe is great. Rather than drilling the song, Wheat kicks into loops of classic riffs like Queen’s Dragon Attack. This light-hearted jamming literally and figuratively loosens us up, gets us all in the groove. Ex-Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner is producing this song, and he’s a natural leader. Things are coming along well, so well that we plan on laying down two or three songs, all of which will be sold with all of the proceeds going toward much-needed scholorships for the The Sacramento Children’s Choir.

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

But rock and roll is never predictable. As we’re about to press ‘record’, Tesla’s lead guitar hero Frank Hannon arrives, a surprise to us all. In tow, mad genius and Tesla singer Jeff Keith appears like a genie that was finally let out of his lamp. His energy and storytelling had the entire studio captivated and entranced, and the session stops. Then the phone rings. Michael Grant, singer/guitarist for LA’s EndeverafteR made a flight north and is in Sacramento on his way to the studio. Add in entourage and the surprise visit of a Tesla tribute band who got wind they guys were at the studio and you can see that what started as a 3-man basic track jam has turned into a rock stallion stew…with pizza and beer.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

The session went smoother than anyone could have imagined. Laughing, talking, celebrating, these are things rarely done in a recording studio, especially among guys who have never played together. It was a special day and I am proud to be a part of it. Best of all, the tracks from that day came together nicely and a host of great musicians added their sprinkles of talent to the cake. Jonah Matranga from Far, The Snobs’ Jason Boggs on saxophone, Larisa Bryski, and special to me, my wifey, Lynn sang some vocals. (see the entire list of credits here)
So in this déjà vu of turmoil and transition for our great nation, community activists and we musicians came together to celebrate each other, Lennon’s great music, and help some kids find their voice. Bless you all this holiday 2008, and I wish you the very best in 2009. Cheers.

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

LINKS and CREDITS:
Photos by Nicolas Walsh and Lesa Johnston

Lyrics from Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the The Plastic Ono Band

View a video of the session here

Buy the song on Amazon or iTunes  (search "Pus Cavern All Stars")