Christmas Season is here, and with is comes the overplaying of Christmas music. Not that I mind; I relish any opportunity to play the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Boogie Woogie Christmas (best Christmas album ever.) But it brings into sharp relief that there are some instruments that have a questionable place in vocal music. I don’t think I have to tell you what I’m talking about. Those plastic recorders you learned to play in third grade? Quesque c’est le deal avec those? Bob Dylan played a kazoo. I realize he already sounds like a human kazoo, but I don’t see the point in him driving the point home by featuring one on some of his songs.

But the most useless instrument of all is the flute. It has it’s place in classical music, but almost any time I hear a flute in a vocal piece I have to shake my head in disbelief. Especially when the band gives the flute a solo. It makes my eyeballs turn into cartoon-like question marks.

If you’re not “getting” what I’m saying, try this on for size.

By the way, I’d like to take a moment to thank “Joey” for wearing that awesome velvet t-shirt.