The Michigan-based Dave & the Shadows was pretty much your typical Midwest garage band. Lead by Dave Kalmbach the group released two singles on the Chess subsidiary label Check-Mate in 1962 ('Blue Dawn' b/w 'Here After' & 'At the Fair' b/w 'Dancing Cheek To Cheek'). A follow-up single, 'Faith' b/w 'Playboy' was released on Kalmbach's own Fenton label, which was surprisingly prolific in the Grand Rapids/Sparta area of Michigan until the late 60s. In late 1962, vocalist Sue Greiner joined the band. Greiner recorded an early Fenton single, "Go Tell It On The Mountain," under the guise of Sue and the Dynamics in 1963, which is also featured here. Recorded in a makeshift studio in the basement of a local movie theatre, the group's main quirk was the utilization of the building's massive pipe organ through a Leslie speaker; two elements that make for an unusual collection of sounds in a garage rock band.

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'Jingle Bell Rock' is about as good as any garage band cover of 'Jingle Bell Rock'. It even features some tubular bells. 'Go Tell It On the Mountain' is the first to feature Sue Greiner, and man, it's bad. I understand this is a young group of teens, but did no one think to ask Sue to maybe give this a little less choral approach? Even more comical is how the band tries so hard to keep the 'rock' energy up during her performance. For surf collectors, 'Surfin' Santa Claus' is the main draw here, although the combination of the massive pipe organ with some surf guitar solos is an odd pairing. The original composition, 'Starlit Night', is the true highlight of the album, with its surfy echo and inspired guitar work. 'Greensleeves' also fares much better than the opening tracks and features some chimes. It had, in fact, been the fourth single released on the Fenton label and credited to the Renegades IV. Side Two (supposedly the "traditional side") opens with 'Little Drummer Boy,' which isn't actually as bad as one might think. Dave's electric work is understated, and the rising modulations and dynamic range the group employs actually add some interest. 'Christmas Medley' is nothing more than a solo organ feature with a minor chimes solo near the end before ending in a march. ​The oddly titled 'Theme From the 'Our' is a tribute to the Our Theatre, where the band initially got their start. As a track, it would be at home on any Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass album, if it were not for the electric. The organ makes its triumphant return, taking front and center on 'Silent Night'. 'O Holy Night' (mistitled here as simply 'Holy Night' features an impressively bad vocal from Ms. Greiner; and, as someone who has heard their fair share of bad 'O Holy Night' renditions, I can say this one really takes the cake.

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I'm sure garage rock vinyl aficionados will come after me for saying this, but rarity doesn't always equal good. Specifically in the case of Two Sides of Christmas, you essentially have a few obscure surf presents with a bunch of coal lumps thrown in. ​​This album is scarce and randomly released in both mono and stereo but you're not missing anything without this, and there are many other fantastic winter-themed surf releases to keep you in the spirit this season.​

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Much thanks to the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame article on this band.

https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/hall-of-fame/artists/322-dave-kalmbach