Blues Alligator Records The Alligator Records Christmas Collection (1992)
The Alligator Records Christmas Collection (1992)
The Alligator Records Christmas Collection (1992)
1 –Koko Taylor Merry, Merry Christmas 4:29 Bass – Jerry Murphy Drums – Frank Alexander Guitar – Calvin Louden, Criss Johnson Organ – Jeremiah Riley Vocals – Koko Taylor 2 –Kenny Neal Christmas Time In The Country 4:34 Bass – Noel Neal Drums – Ken Johnson Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals – Kenny Neal Keyboards – Lucky Peterson 3 –Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials I'm Your Santa 2:55 Bass – James "Pookie" Young Drums – Kelly Littleton Guitar – Mike Garrett Guitar, Vocals – Lil' Ed Williams 4 –Katie Webster Deck The Halls With Boogie Woogie 2:59 Bells [Sleighbells] – Ameen Abdur-Rashied Piano, Vocals – Katie Webster 5 –William Clarke Please Let Me Be Your Santa Claus 4:31 Acoustic Bass – Flaco Medina Drums – Bob Newham Guitar – Greg Verginio Harmonica, Vocals – William Clarke Piano – Fred Kaplan 6 –Tinsley Ellis Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin' 3:23 Bass – James Ferguson Drums – David Sims Guitar, Vocals – Tinsley Ellis Organ – Mike Boyette 7 –Charles Brown Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 3:12 Acoustic Bass – Earl May Drums – Kenny Washington Guitar – Billy Butler Piano, Vocals – Charles Brown Tenor Saxophone – Harold Ousley 8 –Son Seals Lonesome Christmas 5:13 Bass – Johnny B. Gayden Drums – Ray "Killer" Allison Organ – Sidney James Wingfield Vocals – Son Seals 9 –Lonnie Brooks Christmas On The Bayou 4:46 Bass – Stan Chambers Drums – Kevin Mitchell Guitar – Ronnie Baker Brooks Guitar, Vocals – Lonnie Brooks Piano – Tom Giblin 10 –Little Charlie And The Nightcats Santa Claus 2:57 Bass – Jay Peterson Drums – Dobie Strange Guitar – Little Charlie Baty Harmonica, Vocals – Rick Estrin 11 –Elvin Bishop The Little Drummer Boy 2:52 Alto Saxophone – Ray Arvizu Bass – Evan Palmerston Drums – Larry Van Guitar, Vocals – Elvin Bishop Piano – Randy Forrester Trombone – Ed Earley 12 –Saffire -The Uppity Blues Women One Parent Christmas 3:35 Acoustic Bass – Earlene Lewis Guitar, Vocals – Gaye Adegbalola Piano – Ann Rabson 13 –Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Christmas 3:13 Bass – Harold Floyd Drums – Chuckee Burke Guitar, Vocals – Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Keyboards – Bob Hoban Rhythm Guitar – Ron Harris 14 –Charlie Musselwhite Silent Night Harmonica – Charlie Musselwhite Piano – Stu Blank
This entertaining CD serves a dual purpose, introducing listeners to many of the blues artists who have recorded for Alligator and giving consumers a rare Christmas blues record. The performers include Koko Taylor, Kenny Neal, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Katie Webster (on a rollicking "Deck the Halls With Boogie Woogie"), William Clarke, Tinsley Ellis, Charles Brown ("Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"), Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Elvin Bishop, Saffire, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Charlie Musselwhite. With the exception of Bishop's "The Little Drummer Boy" and Musselwhite's "Silent Night," all of the selections are originals by the artists. Although the musicians all play in the same general genre, this set has enough variety (and good feelings) to hold one's interest throughout. ---Scott Yanow, AllMusic Review
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