Various Artists - Merry Christmas, Baby [CD]

There is some debate as to whether this 1956 release from Hollywood Records was the first LP to compile Christmas music singles. But there is no debate that it’s one of the best. Subtitled “Intimate Christmas Music for Young Lovers,” its headliners were the original versions of two of the biggest R&B holiday hits of all time, Charles Brown’s “Merry Christmas, Baby” and Lowell Fulson’s “Lonesome Christmas (Parts 1 & 2),” but with other standouts like Mabel Scott’s “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” (also a chartmaker), Jimmy Witherspoon’s “Christmas Blues” (formerly entitled “How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around”), and a quartet of tunes from Johnny Moore’s Blazers, there is not a weak track on the album. Bill Dahl’s detailed notes round out this first-ever CD reissue. And with a new remastering by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision, never have the Christmas blues sounded so good!

1. Merry Christmas, Baby--Charles Brown 2. Sleighride--Lloyd Glenn Trio 3. Christmas Everyday--Johnny Moore’s Blazers 4. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus--Mabel Scott 5. Lonesome Christmas (Part 1)--Lowell Fulson 6. Christmas Dreams--Johnny Moore’s Blazers 7. Christmas Eve Baby--Johnny Moore’s Blazers 8. Christmas Letter--Johnny Moore’s Blazers 9. Love for Christmas--Jackson Trio 10. Lonesome Christmas (Part 2)--Lowell Fulson 11. Christmas Blues--Jimmy Witherspoon 12. Jingle Bell Hop--Jackson Trio

• Format Detail: CD detailed notes and artist photos
• Format: CD
• Genre: Holiday & Wedding