Advent calendar: December 24—Lou Rawls, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Lou Rawls, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1963)
from Merry Christmas Ho! Ho! Ho!
Capitol SM-2790
Few singers could follow a throughly convincing, swinging version of “Merry Christmas, Baby” with an equally committed take on this classic. None but Rawls would dare interpose a bossa nova into the middle of it. Arranger H.B. Barnum and producer David Axelrod negotiate the changes with aplomb, and Lou proves he can sing just about anything.
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Advent calendar: December 23: Buck Owens and His Buckaroos, “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy”
Buck Owens and His Buckaroos, “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” (1967)
from Christmas with Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
Capitol ST 2396
For those who want a little Telecaster for Christmas. While this is basically a rewrite of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” all knock-offs should improve on the original with such élan.
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Advent calendar: December 22—Freddie King, “Christmas Tears”
Freddie King, “Christmas Tears” (1961)
Federal F 12439
The three Kings—B.B., Albert, and Freddie—all left their mark on the Christmas blues. B.B. had “Christmas Celebration” and Albert’s “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” is fun, but Freddie’s 1961 single is the real thing.
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Advent calendar: December 21—The Choir and Orchestra of Clare College, Cambridge, “In the Bleak Midwinter”
The Choir and Orchestra of Clare College, Cambridge, arranged and directed by John Rutter, “In the Bleak Midwinter”
from Christmas from Clare
Argo ZRG 914
Because today is midwinter. Because it is my favorite carol and is not yet overly familiar on this side of the Atlantic. Because John Rutter could make a jingle for potato chips seem ethereal.
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Advent calendar: December 20—Kenny Burrell, “Mary’s Little Boy Chile”
Kenny Burrell, “Mary’s Little Boy Chile” (1966)
from Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas
Cadet LP-779
I knew only Harry Belafonte’s version until I came across Burrell’s light and Latin cover of this song. Based on these two versions, you’d think it was a Caribbean folk song, but it was actually written by Jester Hairston, an actor, songwriter, and choral director who had roles in a Tarzan movie, the Amos ’n’ Andy radio and television series, and Being John Malkovich (!), conducted choral groups in Hollywood, and wrote hundreds of spirituals.
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