Last column before Christmas.

No stress then...

Actually it does seem to be getting a bit frantic out there. Lotsa folk running in ever-decreasing circles.

If you're one of them let me just assure you that, yes, the traditional pre-Christmas cocktail recipe is at the end of this column. I suggest you skip the in-between stuff and start mixing right away.

Otherwise we're looking at albums this week. Two Kiwi albums.

They've got a bit of a connection with Tauranga and they greatly impressed me. If you give CDs for Christmas then it might not be too late to track these down. Easiest is to find the band online and order one. There's still time.

Boycotting Spotify

On the other hand, if CDs are now just part of your abandoned past and you only want something new to listen to, on Spotify then you may well find them there – I don't know as I'm still boycotting the service until it actually starts paying musicians rather than just lining its own pockets and those of the remaining record corporations.

OK. The albums.

First up, recent visitors The Andrew London Trio. They played here a couple of months back, touring to support their new CD, ‘Ladies a Plate', which is sorta a debut album, and sorta not...I say that because The Andrew London Trio used to be Hot Club Sandwich. That group, though actually a duo, usually played as the trio – acoustic guitar, bass, plus (most usually) a sax and/or clarinet. To become The Andrew London Trio they have changed bass player, a slot now filled by Andrew's wife Kirsten London, who also contributes a couple of very sweet vocals.

Humorous songs

The problem for the band is that Andrew has painted himself into something of a corner by specialising in humorous songs about white middle class New Zealand. Just how long can you mine that very specific vein without repetition?

Quite a while it would seem, as the songs here are amongst his sharpest and funniest. ‘I Think I'll But A Yacht', ‘Three Little Words' and, particularly the superb ode to confused Kiwi masculinity ‘I Hugged My Mate' merit many repeats as do the Facebook Song ‘Like Me, Like Me' and the timeless lament ‘Country's Buggered'.

The band swings delightfully and the playing is immaculate, with sprightly sax from Nils Olsen and immaculate harmonies throughout. Sterling stuff!

Mudcats return

The other album is blues and it's from Aucklanders The Flaming Mudcats, who return to town shortly to play at The Marchwood Blues Picnic.

Their second outing is called ‘Mistress' and in terms of straight ahead no-frills blues it's as good a set as I know from this country.

The band are a four-piece and seem like the perfect package: frontman Craig Bracken used to play with The Darcy Perry Band and is both a commanding singer and outstanding harmonica player; guitarist Doug Bygrave is endlessly inventive and plays like no one else in New Zealand; bass player Sean McCarthy writes great blues songs; and drummer Ian Thompson has a history stretching back to The Underdogs Blues Band. Together they've made a faultless, no-nonsense album of tight modern blues.
Mean ‘n' lean

It reminds me in a way of the legendary Fabulous Thunderbirds, not so much musically but in the mean ‘n' lean approach – great 12-bar grooves, great soloing and some very cool colouring from the occasion horn section and various pianists.

This is absolutely my favourite blues album of the year – don't miss these guys next time they're in town.

And the drink for this year? In keeping with the way the world of cocktails is getting ever more sophisticated we're going way beyond the usual Pina Colada or eggnog this time. Courtesy of Wellington chef Martin Bosley we have The Shalimar.

One measure Amaretto; two measures gin; three measures apple juice; and one measure of lime juice (freshly squeezed). Stir them all together with ice, strain out the ice, and then serve garnished with a couple of finely sliced mint leaves. You won't regret it!

Good luck with the next few days until Christmas. Try not to stress out. Remember, even if the food and presents are rubbish it's friends and family that really matter. See you on the other side... presents are rubbish it's friends and family that really matter.

See you on the other side...