Just in time for the holidays Document Records out of the U.K. released, Blues, Blues Christmas: Volume 3, 1927-1962.  As the title of this two disc, forty song album suggests, it is the third such installment in this series and by far the most eclectic collection of songs to date by this label. Many of the tunes in this compilation have never before been anthologized.

Music not only from the blues genre, but tunes from the fields of gospel, jazz, doo wop and western swing are represented here. Within the blues genre alone tracks ranging from artists as diverse as Lightnin’ Hopkins to Jimmy McCracklin stand side by side as do songs by Amos Miburn, Freddie King, Hop Wilson, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Victoria Spivey and other less widely known names.

Jazz giants like Ella Fitzgerald whose duet with Louis Jordan of the seasonal favorite Baby It’s Cold Outside gives the more famous version by Ray Charles and Betty Carter a run for its money. Duke Ellington is featured on a couple of tunes here as well. One is Duke’s Hot Fives backing vocalist Ozzie Ware doing Santa, Bring My Mommy Back. Ellington fronts his own orchestra on a tune he calls Sugar Rum Cherry which is actually his adaptation of Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy. Another highlight from the more jazz oriented selections includes the Wardell Gray-Dexter Gordon Quintet doing Jingle Jangle Jump. 

The doo wop sides include turns by the Penguins as well as Billy Ward and his Dominoes. The latter features the rich baritone of Billy Ward of Sixty Minute Man fame. He fronts a band during this period that also included Jackie Wilson and Clyde McPhatter. They harmonize on the song, Ringing in a Brand New Year.

Like the other two terrific Christmas compilations that were released by Document Records, there are many songs that I have never heard before. This is a big plus, as the same top forty Christmas tunes, while nostalgic, have grown pretty stale. This collection, more than any Christmas album I have ever heard, also has more variety to go along with its rarity. You could put these two discs on at any family gathering and find some music that suits virtually anyone’s particular tastes. Listening to these two discs front to back is like putting on the wildest, far flung i-Pod shuffle. The only common thread is the Christmas theme.

The package includes a twenty page book written by Jeff Harris. The booklet also includes detailed recording information including personnel, recording dates, locations, original label and catalogue numbers. The CD was compiled and produced by Gary Atkinson. You can find a link to Document Records on our links page.

- David Mac