sleighbellsring #19

(Louis Armstrong – The Night Before Christmas)

Last of the Christmas Cuts and who better than the King to see us through…

“Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, (other than themusicologist of course)…..
the stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there,

the children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads….”

sleighbellsring #17

(Destiny’s Child – Carol Of The Bells)

Quality.

sleighbellsring #15

(Owen Gray – Collins Greetings)

Was just about to lay down a doo wop slice of the christmas pie until this one floated out of the speakers…

Instinctively I would say it’s a Duke Reid piece of Rocksteady, I have it by someone else.., (I think it’s a cut of ‘People Get Ready’ by Alton Ellis ), but as it’s Owen Gray it could also be a Coxsone production. Whoever produced it…well done and thank you.

sleighbellsring #9

(Lowell Fulson – Lonesome Christmas)

One more from the Christmas Blues canon and then I’m rolling out a selection of seasonal favourites. Hope you have enjoyed the sufferers interlude.

The 1950 slice on the Hollywood label is courtesy of West Coast Rhythm & Blues legend, bandleader, guitarist and songwriter Lowell Fulson with a cut that may include Brother Ray tinkling the ivories?…

sleighbellsring #8

(Harmon Ray – Xmas Blues)

Another Blues slice of the Christmas pie, this time from a cat I know nothing about other than the date and place recorded, (Chicago 1947), and the piano player…Eddie Boyd. What I do know is that not only am I a sucker for Christmas music I’m also a big fan of the piano. For themusicologist it’s the instrument of choice when it comes to communicating the message. Favourite players include Little Brother Montgomery, Fats Waller, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammonds, Meade Lux Lewis, Count Basie, The Duke, Ray Charles, Mempis and Sunnyland Slim and last but definately not least…Amos Milburn.

Love the intro on this cut.

sleighbellsring #5

(Riff Ruffin – Xmas Baby)

Apologies for not posting up yesterday’s cut until this morning. Thought I had until one o’ youse  ‘tipped me the wink’.

Today’s 1956 cut is one from the Rhythm & Blues canon…ranking slice. A must for all the Christmas HEP cats out there around the globe.

sleighbellsring #4

(Mahalia Jackson – Silent Night)

Sliding straight into this one from ‘The World’s greatest Gospel Singer’, Mahalia Jackson….Much Covered, never surpassed. Possibly the toughest choice to make on the Christmas selection such is the quality of the song and the singers who have thrown their ‘Stille Nacht Hats’ in the ring. Dinah Washington, (on a 78), Jackie Wilson and Jerry Butler all deliver but as I can only throw one……..

Perfection.

sleighbellsring #3

(Otis Redding – White Christmas)

Day late but definately not a dollar short for a special musicologist tribute in memory of Mr Otis Redding who died on December the 10th 41 years ago, (1967), at the tender age of 26. I won’t lie and say it’s a date that’s in my diary which for me makes it all the more special and even transcendental that he has risen in the unconscious to let us know ‘what time it is’…one of them performances that could wake the dead. As good as ‘White Christmas’ gets.

sleighbellsring #2

(Fats Waller – Swinging Them Jingle Bells)

One from the king..Thomas Wright Waller. Without doubt one of the most influential musicologists of the 20th Century. The word legend was invented to try and describe in one word cats like ‘Fats’. Virtuoso pianist and supreme songwriter who swung every time he played. Rumour has it that the man played piano for 3 days straight after being kidnapped to play at Al Capone’s birthday party. Leaving the gaff lagging drunk, no doubt as high as a kite and thousands of dollars richer….

If aliens came down from space and wanted to get an idea of what Christmas, (or Jazz), is all about they could do no worse than listen to this cut.

“Swing them Jingles son…”

sleighbellsring #1

(The Maytals – Christmas Feeling)

Day one of the Christmas selection. I’m just going to lay them down without much ‘commentary’. First up is a slice from Jamaica..proof, if needed, that it doesn’t require snow, reindeer or Jack Frost nipping at yer nose to generate the Christmas spirit. Early sixties cut from the Legendary Maytals.

For those who need hints on what to listen to or for those who want to know I am nearby during the Holy Days, here is my standard selection of Christmas music, courtesy of the Amazon mp3 store:

John Rutter:

1. Candlelight

2. Carols from Clare

3. Christmas Night

4. Christmas Star

5. The Holly and the Ivy

6. The John Rutter Christmas Album

Early and Victorian Christmas Music:

7. A Medieval Christmas Feast

8. The Carol Album

9.  Christus Natus Est

Anonymous 4

10. Christmas From Medieval Hungary

11. On Yoolis Night

The Christmas Revels

12. Christmas Revels

13. Victorian Christmas Revels

Of course, if these don’t float your boat, Amazon MP3 has an entire Holiday MP3 Store for you to choose from. Personally I would stick to the Classical and Traditional selections. The prices are good, and the ability to listen to clips and read reviews before you buy is even better!

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!