|
|
 |
| Various Artists |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rhonda Vincent: Let It Snow; Leon Redbone: Blue Christmas; Irma Thomas: Oh Holy Night; Wilson Pickett, Deana Carter, Charles Brown, etc. |
|
|
|
| 1 I'll Be Home for Christmas - Riders In The Sky |
|
|
| 2 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Moore, Sam [1] |
|
|
| 3 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Roomful Of Blues |
|
|
| 4 The First Noel/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/Joy to the World - Lawson, Doyle & Quicksilver |
|
|
| 5 Please Come Home for Christmas - Brown, Charles |
|
|
| 6 The Christmas Song - Carter, Deana |
|
|
| 7 Jingle Bells - Pickett, Wilson |
|
|
| 8 Blue Christmas - Redbone, Leon |
|
|
| 9 You're All I Want for Christmas - Persuasions [1] |
|
|
| 10 Let It Snow - Vincent, Rhonda |
|
|
| 11 Winter Wonderland - Alston, Shirley |
|
|
| 12 Oh, Holy Night - Thomas, Irma |
|
|
Album Review
Soul and bluegrass may seem like strange bedfellows, but they seem to get along just fine on this holiday collection from the venerable roots music label Rounder Records. "Home for Christmas" collects 12 yuletide tunes by as many artists from Rounder's back catalog, and most tracks either feature R&B greats bringing the funk to classic songs of the season, or bluegrass notables taking a more subdued approach with similar material. Wilson Pickett lends his feral growl to "Jingle Bells," Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) informs us that "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," the Persuasions serve up some tasty a cappella harmonies on "You'Re All I Want For Christmas," and the great Irma Thomas sings "Oh Holy Night" with the fervor of a true believer. Elsewhere, Rhonda Vincent contributes a sweet, down-home "Let It Snow," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver bring some excellent country gospel harmonies to a medley of Christmas spirituals, and Deana Carter adds just a touch of jazzy swing to "The Christmas Song." Of course, not everyone here fits this formula; Roomful of Blues give "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" a swinging horn-fueled arrangement, Leon Redbone sings "Blue Christmas" as only he can, Riders in the Sky celebrate the holiday Western style with "I'Ll Be Home For Christmas," and Charles Brown's recut of "Please Come Home For Christmas" is holiday blues at its best. "Home for Christmas" may dote upon bluegrass and soul, but it offers a bit of something for everyone, and that's hardly a bad thing, especially with this much good music on board. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
|
|
|
|
|
|
