Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Duke Pearson's "Merry Ole Soul': Rare And Essential Holiday Listening



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:

charlie c. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
charlie c. said...

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.