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    0 Luther Vandross Christmas 1995

    19 years after the Luther photo in the vinyl Funky Christmas Cotillion album, Mr. Vandross captures the decade of the 1990's as a superstar. Sony Music released This is Christmas in 1995, featuring 10 memorable Luther Vandross holiday favorites on the CD: "With A Christmas Heart" "This Is Christmas" "The MistleToe Jam" "Every Year, Every Christmas" "My Favorite Things" "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" "I Listen To The Bells" (duet with Darlene Love) "Please Come Home For Christmas" "A Kiss For Christmas" "O' Come All Ye Faithful" A true classic. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 12 Days of Christmas in Soulsville

    2007 has been the year of Stax Records reissues. Concord Music Group now owns the Stax catalogue. Concord has been aggressively re-releasing music in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Stax. New this holiday season is Christmas In Soulsville. This CD is a Southern Soul lover?s sweet treat. The tracks reflect the bluesy sound that dominated Memphis and Stax in the 1960's and early 1970's. You won't find fancy synthesizers, glossy production gimmicks, or city slicker orchestration on these sparse arrangements. Simple is better as these songs are sung from the heart using the emotions of soul to carry the tunes. One track appears for the first time on CD, "That Makes Christmas Day," a charming daughter and father collaboration featuring Carla & Rufus Thomas. The song is a slow blues with lots of Memphis horns, lots of Rufus, and not enough Carla, but it works. 2 versions of "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" from both Albert King and Mack Rice are included. Christmas In Soulsville is a historic time capsule. Who better to serve up a buffet of classic soul Christmas delights than the R&B - blues stars of Stax. Otis Redding - "Merry Christmas, Baby" The Staple Singers - "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas" Booker T & The MGs - "Winter Wonderland" Isaac Hayes - "The Mistletoe and Me" The Emotions - "Black Christmas" Albert King - "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" Rance Allen Group - "White Christmas" Rufus Thomas - "I'll Be Your Santa Baby" Little Johnny Taylor - "Please Come Home for Christmas" The Emotions - "What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas" Mack Rice - "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" Isaac Hayes - "Winter Snow" The Temprees - "It's Christmas Time Again (The Christmas Song)" Albert King - "Christmas Comes But Once a Year" Rufus & Carla Thomas - "That Makes Christmas Day" Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 J.B. Sings White Christmas for You

    How many guys can claim that they've recorded the first Irving Berlin Music Company approved rendition of "White Christmas" since 1954. J.B., pictured here, claims this honor. Berlin wrote this song in 1942. With over 500 versions out there, what does this Savannah, Georgia native, J.B., now living in Atlanta, bring to "White Christmas?" Listen to the first 45 seconds of the track, and find out. Your browser does not support the audio element. J.B.'s "White Christmas" is smooth. Do you hear just a little touch of Freddie Jackson? Find out more about J.B. at JbSings.com 2021 Update: J.B.'s website is sunset. Previous Post | Next Post

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    1 Top 25 Christmas Holiday Songs

    What are the top 25 Christmas holiday songs in the past 5 years? ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers has put together a list based upon radio airplay. Some quick facts: Oldest songs: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (both 1934) Newest song: "Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)" (1984) Most recorded holiday song: "White Christmas" with over 500 versions in dozens of languages Songs introduced in film and television: "White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942) "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) "Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950) "A Holly Jolly Christmas" in TV special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1962) Writer with most top holiday songs: Johnny Marks with 3 - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "A Holly Jolly Christmas" "Sleigh Ride" is the only holiday song written originally as an instrumental for a symphony orchestra. The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance in a concert conducted by Arthur Fiedler at Symphony Hall in Boston, May 4, 1948. The Boston Pops Orchestra recorded it in June of 1949. Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949. Here's the ASCAP list. We've added a classic soul or R&B artist who has recorded the song (if applicable). At the end of the list, you'll find a link revealing the artists who get credit for having the most popular versions (based on radio airplay). 1. "Winter Wonderland" Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith Aretha Franklin 2. "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells Nat "King" Cole 3. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Written by: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin Dionne Warwick with Gladys Knight 4. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Written by: Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie Jackson 5 5. "White Christmas" Written by: Irving Berlin Otis Redding 6. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 7. "Jingle Bell Rock" Written by: Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe Persuasions 8. "Sleigh Ride" Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish The Ronettes (most popular artist) 9. "Little Drummer Boy" Written by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone Stevie Wonder 10. "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" Written by: Johnny Marks Ray Charles 11. "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" Written by: Edward Pola, George Wyle Performed by: Andy Williams (most popular artist) 12. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Written by: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram Al Green 13. "Silver Bells" Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans Lou Rawls 14. "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" Written by: Johnny Marks Performed by: Brenda Lee (most popular artist) 15. "Feliz Navidad" Written by: Jos? Feliciano Jos? Feliciano (most popular artist) 16. "Frosty The Snowman" Written by: Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins The Ronettes (most popular artist) 17. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" Written by: Johnny Marks Burl Ives (most popular artist) 18. "Blue Christmas" Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson Elvis Presley (most popular artist) 19. "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" Written by: Meredith Willson Johnny Mathis (most popular artist) 20. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" Written by: Tommie Connor (PRS) En Vogue 21. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" Written by: Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman Rupaul 22. "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays" Written by: Bob Allen, Al Stillman Perry Como (most popular artist) 23. "Carol Of The Bells" Written by: Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich Yolanda Adams 24. "Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)" Written by: Midge Ure (PRS), Bob Geldof (PRS) Band Aid (most popular artist) 25. "Wonderful Christmastime" Written by: Paul McCartney (PRS) Paul McCartney (most popular artist) All of the most popular artists singing these songs are noted in the ASCAP Top 25 holiday songs for the last 5 years on their website (along with their methodology for compiling the list). Check out our review of the Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, and the Powerhouse Radio Christmas holiday playlist. Let's wrap things up with 10 Legendary Classic Soul Christmas favorites: "The Christmas Song" Nat "King" Cole "Every Year, Every Christmas" Luther Vandross "Silent Night" Temptations "This Christmas" Donny Hathaway "Someday At Christmas" Stevie Wonder "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Jackson 5 "White Christmas" Drifters "Happy Holidays To You" Whispers "Christmas In Hollis" Run DMC "Christmas Rappin'" Kurtis Blow Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Darlene Love Shines on It's Christmas of Course 2007

    Darlene Love, the famous voice of The Crystals, has released her first Christmas Album. It's Christmas Of Course features a welcome blend of contemporary holiday songs from the 1970's and 1980's. Darlene digs right into a variety neo-classics, showing her versatility as a singer. You won't find Irving Berlin or Felix Mendelssohn inspired Christmas music on this upbeat release. Darlene Love is a child of the rock and soul era. She punches out these multi-genre holiday anthems with allegiance to the rhythmic pop beat. "We had a rule on this album: no oldies. We wanted to leave the '50s and '60s behind," according to Shawn Amos, Vice President of A&R for Shout! Factory, (the record label releasing Love's It's Christmas Of Course). Darlene is an example of how talent and luck can keep one in the game for the long haul. She's had her share of hits with The Crystals under the guidance of Phil Spector. She's paid her dues singing background vocals for Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, The Mamas and Papas, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, and Cher. What I like the most about It's Christmas Of Course is how Darlene Love sings such a wide range of material with authority, refinement, and subtlety. But then, she's worked with the best. I like all of the tracks on It's Christmas Of Course, however, 4 of my favorites are: "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas" "Please Come Home For Christmas" "What Christmas Means To Me" "Thanks For Christmas" Here are all of the tracks with a notation about the original artists: "Christmas All Over Again" (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas" (The Staple Singers) "Christmas Wish" (NRBQ) "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" (James Brown) "Please Come Home For Christmas" (Charles Brown) "2000 Miles" (The Pretenders) "Christmas Is The Time To Say 'I Love You'" (Billy Squier) "What Christmas Means To Me" (Stevie Wonder) "Christmas Must Be Tonight" (The Band) "Thanks For Christmas" (XTC) "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band w/the Harlem Community Choir) "Night Of Peace" (Original Song) Cissy Houston, the famous mother of Whitney, is a guest vocalist on "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." The first track, "Christmas All Over Again," features a nice retro arrangement bringing to mind some classic Spectoresque girl group gusto. You know it's Darlene Love when you hear this one. Darlene gets gritty on "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas," and "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto." She's got a lot of soul in her powerful voice. Whatever your musical taste, these 12 songs offer a fresh and enjoyable take on a cross-section of neo-classic holiday favorites. Even though this is Darlene's first solo Christmas album, she recorded "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for Phil Spector's Christmas album in 1963. Love has performed the song for the past 20 years on David Letterman's Late Show television broadcast. Dave says that the performance is his favorite thing about Christmas. What else has Darlene been doing in recent years? Just Lighting up Broadway with her performances in... 1) "Grease," 2) the Tony-Award nominated "Leader of the Pack," and 3) her current 2-year run as Motormouth Maybelle in the Tony-Award winning "Hairspray." Darlene Love will appear at the Lincoln Center in New York City on December 17, 2007 for her annual Christmas Concert performance. She'll also appear on The David Letterman Show for the 22nd consecutive year on December 24, 2007. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Keith Sweat's Sweet Christmas of Love 2007

    Somewhat late to the 2007 Christmas party is Keith Sweat, who is scheduled to release A Christmas of Love on November 20th. Sweat has been busy this year, hosting his own syndicated radio show, The Keith Sweat Hotel, live from Atlanta, GA, most nights from 7pm - midnight. Keith has written 3 songs for his brand new Christmas collection: "It's Christmas Again," "Once A Year," and "Under The Tree." Sweat is one of the few survivors from the late 1980's "new jack swing" era. His trademark is "slow jam" magic, and Keith Sweat fans won't be disappointed in the interesting mix of songs on A Christmas of Love. Sweat is credited with forming the group LSG with the late Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill. They released Levert-Sweat-Gill in 1997. Keith has produced songs for The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays, Dru Hill, and Men At Large. A Christmas of Love features: "Be Your Santa Claus" "Party Christmas" "It's Christmas Again" "The Christmas Song" "All I Want For Christmas" "Once A Year" "Nothing Like Christmas" "Point Of Christmas" "Under The Tree" Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Patti LaBelle's Christmas 2007

    Patti LaBelle's Miss Patti's Christmas is a pleasant surprise, but it shouldn't be. The vocal chops of Miss Patti are never in question, but the fear that this would be another typical Christmas song collection was. Fear not! Miss Patti's Christmas is an unusually surprising good mix of both the secular and sacred. Dynamic duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who've had a great 2007 with plenty of work, guide this project as the executive producers. Clearly, there was a careful process to select just the right mix of songs for Miss Patti's Christmas. The contemporary songs are great, the traditional songs are wonderful, and the 2 gospel songs sparkle with praise. You won't find all of the usual suspects on Miss Patti's Christmas. She imprints her legendary personality on traditional holiday favorites: "It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," "Do You Hear What I Hear," and "Away In The Manger." We get a different arrangement and a slightly faster tempo on "Away In The Manger," a Christmas song Patti has previously recorded at a slower tempo. "What Do The Lonely Do at Christmas," made famous by The Emotions, gets a nice update by LaBelle. It's hard to imagine a version of Luther Vandross' "Every Year, Every Christmas" as good as the original, but once again, LaBelle rises to the occasion. This is one of the best tracks on the collection. You'll like the contemporary "Christmas Jam," a rhythmic rouser that opens the album. As a package, there's a good balance between uptempo and slower selections. Her voice is right in the pocket on the following 10 tracks... "Christmas Jam" "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas" "Holidays Mean More To Me" "It's Going To Be A Merry Christmas" "Do You Hear What I Hear"" "Nativity" "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child" featuring The Soul Seekers "Every Year, Every Christmas" "Away In A Manger" Deck the Halls! Miss Patti's Christmas is excellent, and highly recommended. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers Celebrate Christmas 2007

    The first ever Isley Brothers Christmas album will be released on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, famous for their work with Janet Jackson and others, are the executive producers. Recorded and completed in Santa Monica, California, this past Summer shortly before Ronald Isley's incarceration, I'll Be Home for Christmas features a mix of old and new. Single holiday tracks have previously been available from The Isley Brothers on several Christmas anthology collections (featuring various artists). I'll Be Home For Christmas offers 8 traditional, and 2 contemporary tracks on this brand new collection: "Winter Wonderland" "I'm in Love" (a new song written by Jam & Lewis) "I'll Be Home For Christmas "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" "First Noel/What Child Is This/Joy To The World" medley "What Can I Buy You" (another new Jam & Lewis song) "The Christmas Song" featuring Doc Powell "White Christmas" "Silent Night" I'll be Home For Christmas follows 2006's Baby Makin' Music from The Isley Brothers. Former Isley Brothers member Chris Jasper also released a new album this year, the contemporary gospel oriented Invincible. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 2006 Colors of Christmas Tour Blends Four Soulful Voices

    Deniece Williams, James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, and Stephanie Mills headline the 2006 "Colors of Christmas Tour" appearing December 7th - December 20th across the USA. For over fourteen years, the tour has featured major artists performing together in a concert of traditional Christmas music. The charismatic vocalists also slip in some of their greatest hits into the show. Deniece, James, Peabo, and Stephanie will sing accompanied by a full orchestra and gospel choir. Here are some selected dates for the current tour: Thursday, December 7, 8pm, Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center, El Paso, Texas Saturday, December 9, 8pm, Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland Friday, December 15, 8pm Cerritos Center, Cerritos, California Saturday, December 16, 8pm Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA Sunday, December 17, 3pm Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA Monday, December 18, 8pm, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA Tuesday, December 19, 8pm, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA Wednesday, December 20, 8pm, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA Friday, December 22, 8pm, Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, Michigan Flashback: ten years ago today on November 29, 1996, Roberta Flack, James Ingram, Aaron Neville, and Peabo Bryson were featured in an early Colors of Christmas Tour in Clearwater, Florida. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Bootsy Collins Collars Christmas Funk

    I was thrilled to listen to Bootsy Collins' brand new 2006 Christmas CD, "Christmas Is 4 Ever." Early in his career, Bootsy played bass guitar in James Brown's band. He went on to much success with his own group "Bootsy's Rubber Band." Bootsy would eventually team up with George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic entourage to make more funky music for the masses. Mr. Collins has not lost his musical sense of humor. Along side of the laughs, funk fans get the real deal on these energized holiday classics. "Christmas Is 4 Ever" features Bootsy and recognizable friends serving up some soulful chestnuts. MC Danny Ray and Bobby Byrd hammer home the Yuletide theme on the opening track, "N-Yo-City." "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Jingle Belz" are delivered like you've never heard them before with the pulsating Bootsy beat. Snoop Dogg dazzles with Boosty on "Happy Holidaze." "Chestnutz," also known as The Christmas Song, is dedicated to Natalie Cole as Bootsy digs into the Mel Torme classic, (immortalized by Nat King Cole). The next three CD tracks keep the beat pumping. They feature appearances by Fred Wesley on "Boot-Off, and George Clinton on "Santa's Coming." "Silent Night," "Sleigh Ride," and "Dis-Christmas," (AKA "This Christmas") thump along, with clever holiday anecdotes from Bootsy introducing the songs. Two original tracks wrap things up, "Be-With-You," with Zapp Troutman on keyboards, and the title song, "Christmas Is 4 Ever," spotlighting vocals from Bootsy and Bobby Womack. "Christmas Is 4 Ever" is contemporary to the max. Bootsy has done a great job with these holiday classics creating some fresh funky arrangements. I'll pick "Santa's Coming," AKA "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," as the stand-out track, featuring Miss Candis Cheatham singing co-lead with Bootsy. George Clinton pops in the track to deliver a Christmas message. Here are the tracks again: N-Yo-City Merry Christmas Baby Jingle Belz Happy Holidaze Chestnutz Winter FunkyLand Santa's Coming Boot-Off Silent Night Sleigh Ride Dis-Christmas Be-With-You Christmas Is 4 Ever Bootsy puts this special message on the CD booklet, "Say it loud! I got funk and I got style." Not many Christmas CD's can say that! Previous Post | Next Post

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