Christmas has come and gone and New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Just because Christmas has passed doesn’t mean we put away our holiday music; no way!
We’re sharing more of our favorites with you, our readers. We hope you’ll enjoy them now, and in the future. Take a listen to our list…
1. Issued on Ruf Records in 2007, Canned Heat’s Christmas Album contains collaborations with The Chipmunks, Dr. John, and on this cut, Eric Clapton. Are you feeling these “Christmas Blues”?
2. This killer holiday blues is written by Sam Myers, and performed by Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, featuring Sam Myers. It appeared on the Black Top Records 1995 compilation, Blues, Mistletoe, & Santa’s Little Helper. The album also contains holiday songs by Big Joe And The Dynaflows, Rod Piazza And The Mighty Flyers, Earl King, and many others. Definitely worth checking into!
3. What would Christmas be without Wilson Pickett? Why, it wouldn’t be Christmas at all! “Silver Bells” appeared on the 1982 compilation titled Christmas Soul Special, out on the QAG Records label. This collection also features holiday classics performed by Sam Moore, Martha Reeves, Ben E. King, Mary Wells, and Shirley Alston.
4. Doo Wop for Christmas you ask? Of course! “White Christmas” by The Drifters & Clyde McPhatter was released as a 45 RPM single on the Atlantic label in 1954, and it was backed by The Bells of St. Mary’s. Through the years there have been several incarnations of the group, and they still perform today.
5. Not a Christmas song per se, but man o man! Here’s Lightnin’ Hopkins, getting dark and deep with “Heavy Snow.”
6. When the world lost the incredibly soulful Sharon Jones in late 2016, it shook us to our core. Thankfully, she left plenty of her extraordinary work for us to enjoy. Here she is with the Dap-Kings performing “Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects.”
7. The Dropkick Murphys bring us a wee bit of Irish for Christmas with their classic, “The Season’s Upon Us.” (Admit it: It has you smiling already!).
8. Festive rockin’ Christmas Blues from the streets of Chicago! Here’s Lil’ Ed Williams and the Blues Imperials with “I’m Your Santa.” Blues you can use!
9. Here’s a swinging, soulful “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” brought to you by none other than Ray Charles himself! A truly unique take on this time-honored classic that comes off beautifully.
10. Rounding out our list is Joe Bonamassa with his original composition, “Christmas Boogie,” from his 2016 album, Rockin’ Christmas Blues. It’s brash, it’s bold, it’s fast, and it does indeed Boogie!
Honorable Mention: We’ve included this delicious, funky, bluesy serving of Christmas cheer because it’s just spot on! Here’s the Queen of the Blues herself, Koko Taylor, performing “Merry, Merry Christmas.”
Feel that we have left out one of YOUR favorites? Please let us know in the Comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.
