VA - Blues, Blues Christmas Vol. 1-4 [2005-2014] (8 x CDs)

BLUES CHRISTMAS

VA - Blues, Blues Christmas Vol. 1-4 [2005-2014] (8 x CDs)

When I think about the Blues, Blues Christmas series, Volumes 1 through 4, I see it as one of the most ambitious attempts to capture the holiday spirit through the lens of blues, gospel, R&B, and early rock. Released between 2005 and 2014 by Document Records, these sets don’t just give us Christmas standards - they dig deep into the archives, pulling together recordings from the 1920s right up through the early 1960s. For me, it’s less about festive background music and more about hearing how generations of musicians shaped the season in their own way.

The first volume set the tone back in 2005, with rare sides from artists like Bessie Smith, Lead Belly, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. It felt like opening a time capsule, hearing Christmas refracted through the blues tradition. By the time Volume 2 arrived in 2008, the scope had widened - jump blues, gospel quartets, and postwar R&B all found their place, showing how the holiday was celebrated in churches, clubs, and living rooms alike. Volume 3, released in 2010, leaned into the crossover with early rock ’n’ roll, bringing a more upbeat, dance‑floor energy to the mix. And then Volume 4 in 2014 tied it all together, bridging Clarence Williams’ 1920s “Santa Claus Blues” with Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home for Christmas,” reminding us how the tradition evolved across decades.

What I love about this series is its depth. These aren’t polished radio hits; they’re songs that reveal humor, longing, and community. You get playful tracks like “Santa Done Got Hip” alongside sacred gospel numbers that ground the season in faith. Document Records presents it all with care, giving context without overwhelming, so you can appreciate both the artistry and the history. Taken as a whole, Blues, Blues Christmas isn’t just a set of compilations - it’s a cultural archive. It preserves voices that might otherwise be forgotten and shows us that Christmas in the blues tradition was about resilience, joy, and storytelling, not just sleigh bells and snow. (B)

==========================================================

ALL 

OR

ALL 

===========================================================

Track lists

Vol. 1 CD1

01 Frankie ''Half Pint'' Jaxon - Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn 3:32

02 Titus Turner - Christmas Morning Blues 2:38

03 Cats & The Fiddle - Hep Cat's Birthday 2:38

04 Ralph Willis - Christmas Blues 2:43

05 Willie Blackwell - Junior's A Jap Girl's Christmas for His Santa Claus 5:02

06 Butterbeans & Susie - Papa Ain't No Santa Claus 3:20

07 Jimmy Butler - Trim Your Tree 1:56

08 Gatemouth Moore - Christmas Blues 3:00

09 Harry Crafton With Doc Bagby Orchestra - Bring That Cadillac Back 2:46

10 Bertha ''Chippie'' Hill - Christmas Man Blues 2:56

11 Cecil Gant - Hello Santa Claus 3:00

12 Bumble Bee Slim - Christmas and No Santa Claus 3:11

13 Felix Gross - Love for Christmas 2:42

14 Lonnie Johnson - Happy New Year Darling 2:43

15 Tampa Red - Christmas & New Year's Blues 3:28

16 Amos Milburn - Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby 2:59

17 Julie Lee and Her Boy Friends - Christmas Spirit 2:52

18 Bessie Smith - At The Christmas Ball 3:30

19 Rev. A. W. Nix - How Will You Spend Christmas 3:27

20 Harmon Ray - Xmas Blues 2:47

21 Jimmy Witherspoon - How I Hate to See Xmas Come Around 3:00

22 Joe Turner With Pete Johnson & His Orchestra - Christmas Date Boogie 2:38

23 Sugar Chile Robinson - Christmas Boogie 2:19

24 Leadbelly - The Christmas Song 2:47

25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Happy New Year 3:18

26 Rev. Edward Clayborn - The Wrong Way to Celebrate Xmas 2:29

Vol. 1 CD2

01 Bo Carter - Santa Claus 3:17

02 Black Ace - Christmas Time (Beggin' Santa Claus) 2:49

03 Mary Harris - Happy New Year Blues 3:13

04 Charlie Jordan - Christmas Christmas Blues 3:28

05 Johnny Otis Orchestra - Happy New Year, Baby 2:47

06 Little Esther & Mel Walker with Johnny Otis - Faraway Christmas Blues 3:23

07 Sonny Boy Williamson I - Christmas Morning Blues 3:27

08 Leroy Carr - Christmas in Jail (Ain't That A Pain) 3:15

09 Kansas City Kitty - Christmas Mornin' Blues 3:19

10 Rev. J.M. Gates - Did You Spend Christmas Day in Jail? 2:57

11 Rev. J.M. Gates - Death Might Be Your Santa Claus 3:04

12 Blind Lemon Jefferson - Happy New Year Blues 2:58

13 Smokey Hogg - New Year's Eve Blues 2:46

14 Larry Darnell - Christmas Blues 2:57

15 Sons of Heaven - When Jesus Was Born 2:38

16 J.B. Summers with Doc Bagby's Orchestra - I Want A Present for Christmas 2:33

17 Sonny Parker with Lionel Hampton Orchestra - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 2:46

18 Roy Milton Solid Senders - New Year's Resolution Blues 2:32

19 Sonny Boy Williamson II - Sonny Boy's Christmas Blues 2:37

20 Roosevelt Sykes - Let Me Hang My Stockings in Your Christmas Tree 2:58

21 Elzadie Robinson - The Santa Claus Crave 3:23

22 Walter Davis - Santa Claus Bues 3:05

23 Victoria Spivey - Christmas Morning Blues 3:30

24 Boll Weavil (Willie McNeil) - Christmas Time Blues 3:09

25 Floyd Dixon with Johnny Moore's Three Blazers - Empty Stocking Blues 3:06

26 Mabel Scott with Les Welch & His Orchestra - Boogie-Woogie Santa Claus 2:14

Vol. 2 CD1

01 Lloyd Glenn - (Christmas) Sleigh Ride 1:53

02 Blind Lemon Jefferson - Christmas Eve Blues 2:57

03 Heavenly Gospel Singers - When Was Jesus Born 3:13

04 Voices - Santa Claus Boogie 2:44

05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Merry Christmas 2:36

06 Moonglows - Hey Santa Claus 2:26

07 Lowell Fulson - Lonesome Christmas (Part 1) 2:33

08 Blind Blake - Lonesome Christmas Blues 3:42

09 Nic Nacs with Mickey Champion - Gonna Have A Merry Xmas 3:01

10 Rev. Charles Watkins - Christmas Morn 2:47

11 Jesse Thomas - Xmas Celebration 2:33

12 Leo Watson with The Vic Dickenson Quintet - Jingle Bells 2:36

13 Cecil Gant - It's Christmas Time Again 2:51

14 Pilgrim Travelers - I'll Be Home for Chrismas 2:31

15 Rev. Emmett Dickinson - Christmas - What Does it Mean to You? 2:55

16 Lucy Smith Jubilee Singers - There Was No Room at The Hotel 3:04

17 Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Silent Night, Holy Night 2:39

18 Lil Son Jackson - New Year's Resolution 3:08

19 Charley Jordan & Verdi Lee - Christmas Tree Blues 3:05

20 Lionel Hampton - Merry Christmas Baby 3:21

21 Bubber Johnson - It's Christmas Time 3:05

22 Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run 2:45

Vol. 2 CD2

01 Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers - God Gave Us Christmas 3:12

02 Lowell Fulson - Good Party Shuffle (Christmas Party Shuffle) 2:54

03 Lester Williams - Winter Time Blues 2:35

04 Marshall Brothers - Mr. Santa Boogie 2:31

05 Wings Over Jordan - Sweet Little Jesus Boy 3:13

06 Fats Waller - Swingin' Them Jungle Bells 2:59

07 Lucy Smith Jubilee Singers - Seeking for Me 2:52

08 Smokey Hogg - My Christmas Baby 2:23

09 Gatemouth Moore - Christmas Blues 2:54

10 Orioles - Oh Holy Night 2:09

11 Alphabetical Four - Go Where I Send Thee 2:44

12 Mary Harris - No Chrsitmas blues 3:05

13 Little Willie Littlefield - Merry Xmas 2:56

14 Rev. A.W. Nix - Begin A New Life on Christmas Day - Part 1 3:06

15 Casey Bill & His Orchestra - Christmas Time Blues 2:45

16 Johnny Moore's Three Blazers (Charles Brown, vocal) - Merry Christmas Baby 2:43

17 Sister Rosetta Tharpe - When They Ring The Golden Bell 2:31

18 Elkins-Payne Jubilee Singers - Silent Night Holy Night 2:59

19 Slim Seward & Fat Boy Hayes - Christmas Time Blues 2:46

20 Voices - Santa Claus Baby 2:31

21 Chuck Berry - Merry Christmas Baby 3:15

22 Orioles - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve 2:52

Vol. 3 CD1

01 Lead Belly - Christmas is Coming 1:06

02 Rev. J.M. Gates - Gettin' Ready for Christmas 2:57

03 Victoria Spivey - I Ain't Gonna Let You See My Santa Claus 3:02

04 John Lee Hooker - Blues for Christmas 3:28

05 Dee Dee Ford - Good Morning Blues 2:35

06 Penguins - Jingle Jangle 2:22

07 Magnolia Five - The Holy Baby 2:39

08 Famous Jubilee Singers - Go Tell it on The Mountain 2:40

09 Cordell Jackson - Rock and Roll Christmas 2:48

10 Coy McDaniel & Shorty Warren - Christmas Choo Choo Train 2:34

11 Davis Sisters - The Christmas Boogie 2:11

12 Thelma Cooper - I Need A Man 1:50

13 Jimmy McCracklin - Christmas Time, Part 1 2:22

14 Bumble Bee Slim - Santa Claus Bring Me A New Woman 2:38

15 Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan - Baby, It's Cold Outside 2:44

16 Amos Milburn - Christmas (Comes Once A Year) 2:25

17 Freddy King - Christmas Tears 2:47

18 Jo Poovey & The Big ''D'' Boys - Santa's Helper 1:58

19 Fiddlin' John Carson - Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over 2:48

20 Wardell Gray & Dexter Gordon Quintet - Jingle Jangle Jump 2:21

Vol. 3 CD2

01 Lightnin' Hopkins - Santa Claus 3:47

02 Jimmy McCracklin - Christmas Time,  Part 2 2:16

03 Hop Wilson - Merry Christmas Darling 3:09

04 Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of The Sugar-Plum Fairy) 3:03

05 Ozie Ware with Duke Ellington's Hot Five - Santa Claus, Bring My Man Back 2:58

06 Rev. Rice's Sanctified Singers - Who Do You Call That Wonderful Counsellor 2:46

07 Spartanburg Famous Four - Go Where I Send Thee 2:26

08 Ravens - Silent Night 2:52

09 Youngsters - Christmas in Jail 2:05

10 Jackson Trio - Jingle Bell Hop 2:30

11 Cordell Jackson - Be-Boppers Christmas 2:00

12 Vernon Dalhart - Santa Claus That's Me! 2:45

13 Lil McClintock - Don't Think I'm Santa Claus 3:12

14 Walter Davis - New ''Santa Claus'' 3:05

15 B.B. King - Christmas Celebration 2:39

16 Larks - Christmas to New Year's 2:32

17 Five Keys - It's Christmas Time 2:51

18 Oscar McLolli & His Honey Jumpers - Dig That Crazy Santa Claus 2:33

19 Billy Ward & His Dominoes - Ringing in A Brand New Year 2:14

20 Ella Fitzgerald - The Secret of Christmas 2:44

Vol. 4 CD1

01 Charles Brown - Please Come Home for Christmas 2:53

02 Roy Milton & His Solid Senders - Christmas Time Blues 3:02

03 Drifters - White Christmas 2:39

04 Arthur Guitar Boogie Smith's Sensational Trio - Guitar Jingle Bells 2:45

05 Peetie Wheatstraw - Santa Claus Blues 3:13

06 Clarence Williams' Blue Five - Santa Claus Blues 2:36

07 Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys - Santa's on His Way 2:31

08 Sam Manning with The Melodettes & The Felix Krazy Cats - Looking for Me Santa Claus 2:26

09 Qualities - It's Christmas Time 2:43

10 Freddy King - I Hear Jingle Bells 2:36

11 Champion Jack Dupree - Santa Claus Blues (take 2) 2:16

12 Cadillacs - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 2:18

13 Marquees - Santa Done Got Hip 1:47

14 Bobby & Boobie - Cool Cool Christmas 2:03

15 Chuck Blevins - Sleighbell Rock 2:00

16 Enchanters - Mambo Santa Mambo 2:38

17 Bill Lacey with Lil Armstrong & Her Ebony-Aires - Cowboy Santa Claus 2:42

18 Mighty Spoiler - Father Christmas 2:56

19 Jackson Trio with The Ebonaires - Love for Christmas 2:57

20 Billy Ward & His Dominoes - Christmas in Heaven 2:40

Vol. 4 CD2

01 Little T-Bone - Christmas Time 2:37

02 Nathaniel Mayer - Mr. Santa Claus 2:23

03 Marvin & Johnny - It's Christmas 2:08

04 Prairie Ramblers - Cowboy Santa Claus 2:10

05 Kathy & Jimmy Zee - Santa Claus Rock and Roll 2:18

06 Nap Hepburn & March of Dimes - Tell Santa Claus 3:09

07 Johnny Moore's Blazers with Frankie Ervin - Christmas Eve Baby 2:20

08 Dixon Brothers - A Mother, A Father, A Baby 3:13

09 Gribble, Lusk, York - Christmas Eve 4:26

10 Dixon Brothers - Answer to Maple on The Hill - Part 4 3:10

11 Golden Gate Quartet - Silent Night 2:42

12 Victory Five - Children Go Where I Send Thee 2:28

13 Middle Georgia Four - Twenty-Fifth Day of December 2:33

14 Ward Singers - Sweet Little Angel Boy 3:00

15 Angelic Gospel Singers - A Child is Born 2:32

16 Ward Singers - Glory Glory to The King 2:37

17 Falcons & Orchestra - Can This Be Christmas 2:55

18 Lord Executor with Gerald Clark & His Caribbean Serenaders - Christmas is A Joyful Day 2:46

19 Qualities - Happy New Year to You! 1:45

20 Heartbeats - After New Year's Eve 2:48

=============================================================

=============================================================

Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

=============================================================

=============================================================