The Mavericks have been frequent and welcome guests on the “Saturday Sessions” stage of “CBS This Morning,” and December 22 was even more special for the superb ensemble. The Mavericks have consistently defied the confines of any musical category since they parted as a street band in Miami, and soon found an audience across all ethnicities and cultures.

The Mavericks have proved the power of loyal fan appeal and staying power over 30 years, and CBS anchor, Anthony Mason, known for his musical acumen, has been known to lose his voice after a night in the audience at a performance from the Mavericks.

The band has taken CMA honors for Best Vocal Group two years running in 1995 and 1996, along with a Grammy award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, and their 2016 Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album for “Brand New Day.”

Through all their decades of shows, the Mavericks have never lost their knack for delighting an audience, and the band has long been a favorite for a swinging Christmas rockabilly show. Singer-songwriter, Raul Malo, who also produces for the band, joined with keyboard master, Jerry Dale McFadden, lead guitarist Eddie Perez, drummer Paul Deakin, and stalwart supporters from The Fantastic Five on horns an accordion, to deliver songs from “Hey! Merry Christmas!” Not even the deepest Christmas snooze could keep anyone from being stirred awake with this lively set.

A fantastic first

“Hey! Merry Christmas!” Is the first-holiday release from the Mavericks, and the seasoned musicians put a very personal stamp on the collection, writing eight songs of the ten songs.

The rousing opener for this set was the title track, and if the festive glitter in the suits and hats or the garland on Deakin’s drum kit doesn’t get a listener's attention, the driving guitars calling fans to “party till the cows come home” has to set toes to tapping, or even inspire a twirl around the Christmas tree in the living room.

The sound of real musicians playing real instruments, without any need for recorded samples or loops, leaves something unforgettable in the soul and is a Christmas gift in itself. The charm of soloists having separate turns with a Yuletide swing, such as Max Abrams on saxophone and Michael Guerra an accordion, lends a musical treat not seen much anymore.

One verse even promises, “I'm gonna fill you up with all my Christmas cheer,” and that pledge is fulfilled fully by this old-school rocker.

A touch of tenderness

Jingle bells and lilting accordion lead into “I Have Wanted You (For Christmas),” which elegantly displays Raul Malo’s vocal gifts. The ballad of timeless love, “back before there was a Santa” or “before the dawn of man,” oozes with the warmth of predestined union. From childhood anticipation to love seasoned through the decades, this is a Christmas love song for all ages.

The bouncy “Christmas Time Is (Coming Round Again)” closed the morning set, and the spirit of the band melded inseparably with the song, which summons holy aspects of the season with youthful Christmas dreams.

The Mavericks probably are feeling a Christmas surge in ticket sales for their final few December shows, and their tour in celebration of 30 years continues into 2019. No matter the year, and whether it’s Christmas or not, this band displays what it is to love what it is to bring the joy and unity of music.
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