The fifth volume in a series that is capturing international attention and acclaim. This year's selection was accompanied by press and syndicated Christmas music articles from Document. As we revisit remaster, restore and finally reissue the whole canon of Blues and ethnic Christmas tracks, our research continues to be deeper and deeper, teasing out seasonal, musical obscurities and gems that had seemed lost to the public. This volume contains tracks that will surprise and delight with their reference to the coming of Christmas and then the New Year. Who would have thought that 'Hellhound on my Trail' the blues classic from the legendary Robert Johnson would have made the cut but it does? Listen hard to the words and you will know why it was an obvious choice. We can say for same for the Bessie Smith platter too. In amongst the Blues Legends, there are the legends of French Gypsy Jazz rubbing shoulders with (or should that be violins?) with the likes of Country Legend, Bill Monroe and the lesser-known Little Joe Isbel. From vintage country to the earliest voices in Soul, Motown and the modern Black Masters. You will find the voices of a young Marvin Gaye and Lou Rawls and the mighty pen of Curtis Mayfield in this collection. Doo-wop and Gospel jostle for a place between Jazz and Bebop. Add 24 pages of informative and often humorous booklet notes written by Blues Expert and aficionado, Jeff Harris, host of 'Big Road Blues', which airs on Sundays 5 to 7 PM (EST) on WGMC Jazz90, new info on some artists and add the detailed discographies, well, here you have a recipe for a Christmas treat that will be treasured and played for this and many Christmases to come.

Track Listing

• Rhythm Kings - Christmas Is Coming At Last
• Huey 'Piano' Smith & His Clowns - All I Want For Christmas (Is A Little Bit Of Music)
• Etienne 'Sarane' Ferret Et Le Quintette De Paris - White Christmas
• Lightnin’ Hopkins - Heavy Snow
• Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys - Christmas Times A-Coming
• Calvin Bostick - Christmas Won't Be Christmas (With Out You)
• Michel Warlop accompanied by Django Reinhardt - Christmas Swing
• Jan Bradley - Christmas Time
• John Greer - Wait Till After Christmas
• Dipper's Quintet Van Perry’s Combo - It's Almost Christmas
• Pearl Bailey - Five Pound Box Of Money
• Rev. J.M. Gates - Will Hell Be Your Santa Claus?
• Little Joe Isbell - I Got to Have You on Christmas Day
• Marquees - Christmas in the Congo
• Nathan Russel - I'll Spend Christmas Night With You
• Robert Johnson - Hell Hound on My Trail
• Big Bud - Rock Around The Christmas Tree
• Paul Bley Trio w/ Art Blakey, Charles Mingus - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• Cousin Fuzzy and his Cousins - It's Santa Claus Time
• The Chosen Gospel Singers - No Room In The Hotel

• The De Paur (Infantry) Chorus - Carol of The Bells
• Clarence Williams' Trio - Santa Claus Blues
• Sir Jablonski, vocal; accompanied by Gean Jefferson and The Kings - A Merry Christmas
• Kelly Pace, Aaron Brown, Joe Green , Paul Hayes & Matthew Johnson - Holy Babe - Part 1
• King Scratch 2 - Christmas Time in Nassau
• Stephen B Tucker - Christmas Time In The Morning
• Bessie Smith - He's Gone Blues
• Uniques - Merry Christmas Darling
• Elton Britt & The Beaver Valley Sweethearts - Merry Texas Christmas You All
• Clyde Lasley - Santa Came Home Drunk
• Bill Boyd's Cowboy Ramblers - Up On The Housetop
• Freddie Mitchell Orchestra - Jingle Bell Boogie
• Nino & The Ebb Tides - The Real Meaning Of Christmas
• Rev. A.W. Nix - Mind Your Own Business (A New Year's Sermon)
• Huey 'Piano' Smith & His Clowns - Happy New Year
• Tampa Red - Midnight Boogie
• Freddie Mitchell - Auld Lang Syne Boogie
• The Cameos - New Years Eve
• Charles Brown - Bringing in a Brand New Year
• Beale Street Boys - Next Christmas

Additional Details

Label: Document Records

Genre: Blues

Run Time: 140 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 10/20/20

UPC: 714298322255