If the Fab Four Christmas albums were clever but not traditional enough for you, and Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has finally overstayed its welcome, may I suggest 1969's very hip and very rare "Merry Ole Soul," by Duke Pearson.
Here is what "Orgy In Rhythm" has to say about it:
Ho Ho Ho, here's Duke striking back with a jazz Christmas Cracker. Yes it sounds like it should be crap-but it aint!!! Duke pulls in Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker,and Airto for a selection of festive tunes and a very fine spin he puts on them too. The concept appears to be hokey as hell but the reinterpretations are cliche free and have some great moments. As I said I hate Christmas music (if i hear that bloody Slade record again I will pay for someone to shoot Noddy's fucking nuts) but this is really very good.
TRACKLIST
Sleigh Ride
Little Drummer Boy
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Jingle Bells
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Go tell It On The Mountain
Wassail Song
Silent Night
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Old Fashioned Christmas
ZIP FILE
I love this record almost as much as I love "Orgy In Rhythm's" commentary. Plus, "Old Fashioned Christmas," will make even the hopelessy cranky soften up a bit.
2 comments:
Up to this point, not including Asbury Park -- I am at 70 songs and 3 1/2 hours and counting of holiday songs and mixes from B.W.
"turning down all my invites" just to listen!
sure this will be more of the same . . .
Grateful.
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