Christmas Blues - Essential Christmas

All these titles deserve a “Christmas Blues” album to celebrate this period, not least because the music heard in Baptist churches has always been a celebration of the fervour that exists at Christmastime. There’s also the reason that the return to vinyl calls for a fine release that brings together the best bluesmen in one album. Not to mention the fact that the quality of these compositions and performances plunges us straight into the heat of a festival that today is just as much religious as it is secular, a feast that can bring nothing but joy and happiness into every home.

A1. Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters - White Christmas

A2. Jimmy Liggins and His Drops of Joy - I Want My Baby for Christmas

A3. Lightnin’ Hopkins - Merry Christmas

A4. Mabel Scott with Les Welch & His Orchestra - Boogie Woogie Santa Clauss

A5. Lowell Fulson - Lonesome Christmas

A6. Big Joe Turner with Pete Johnson & His Orchestra - Date Boogie

A7. Charles Brown with Johnny Moore - Merry Christmas Baby

B1. Little Esther and Mel Walker with Johnny Otis’ Congregation - Faraway Christmas Blues

B2. Amos Milburn - Let’s Make Christmas Merry Baby

B3. Jimmy Witherspoon - Oh How I Hate To See Xmas Coming Around

B4. Jimmy Rushing with Count Basie & His Orchestra - Good Morning Blues

B5. Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends - Christmas Spirit

B6. Roy Milton Solid Senders - Christmas Time Blues

B7. Sugar Chile Robinson - Christmas Boogie

C1. Lightnin’ Hopkins - Happy New Year

C2. J.B. Summers with Doc Bagby’s Orchestra - I Want A Present For Christmas

C3. Sonny Parker with Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra - Merry Christmas Baby

C4. Felix Gross - Love for Christmas

C5. The Marshall Brothes - Mr. Santa’s Boogie

C6. Champion Jack Dupree - Santa Claus Blues

C7. The Moonglows - Just a Lonely Christmas

D1. Chuck Berry, Lafayette Leake, Willie Dixon, Fred Below - Merry Christmas Baby

D2. The Voices - Santa Claus Baby

D3. Elvis Presley - Santa Claus is Back in Town

D4. Chuck Berry, Lafayette Leake, Willie Dixon, Fred Below - Run Rudolph Run

D5. Elvis Presley - Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me)

D6. Blind Willie Johnson - Jesus's Coming Soon

D7. The Ravens - White Christmas