Red Moon Road: A Simple Kind of Christmas

Review by : Brian Adolph

Photo Credit: Derrek Owen

Red Moon Road, long-time staples of Winnipeg’s music scene, showcased their artistry and showmanship in a performance full of Christmas cheer.

The self-described proto-pop avant-folk group played a full spectrum of Christmas music.  Traditional favourites like Good King Wenceslas and Il est né le Divin Enfant were beautifully performed, while the band showed their chops and creative spark with a funk-infused Little Drummer Boy and a hilarious version of Deck the Halls sung to the tune of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs.

Highly creative arrangements of traditional Christmas fare were at the heart of the show and allowed all six performers to shine.

Joining Red Moon Road were Logan Picton (guitar, vocals and mandolin), Keiran Placatka (keyboards and vocals), and completing a trio of Daniels, Daniel Roy (drums and vocals). Collectively referred to as the ‘Shelf-less Elves’ they proved to be top shelf players and allowed the band to achieve their rich musical settings and choir harmonies.

The group centered on the vocals and theatrics of Sheena Rattai. Decked out in sequins and a natural performer she was in one moment Marilyn Monroe crooning Santa Baby and in the next a megaphone wielding elf named Sprinkles calling out Santa in When the Elves Organize. Rattai dazzled throughout the show with the amazing vocal range she’s known for.

Vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Daniel Péloquin-Hopfner and Daniel Jordan added some theatrical flair in a playful second-set pantomime. A mysterious present addressed 'To Daniel' sparked a musical duel, culminating in a spirited duet on the gift—a slightly absurd twin-necked banjo-bass

The group ended their performance with a note-perfect a cappella rendition of Carol of the Bells.

With its blend of humour, theatrics and terrific music, A Simple Kind of Christmas truly made the season bright.