Blues, Blues Christmas Volume 2 (1926-1958)

The idea of Christmas themed blues and gospel numbers stretches back to the very dawn of the
recorded genres. “Hooray for Christmas” exclaims Bessie Smith to kick off her soon to be classic ‘At
the Christmas Ball’ which inaugurated the Christmas blues tradition when it was recorded in
November 1925 for Columbia. A year later, circa December 1926, the gospel Christmas tradition was
launched when the Elkins-Payne Jubilee Singers recorded Silent Night, Holy Night for Paramount
Records. After these recordings it was off to the races with numerous Christmas blues numbers
recorded by singers of all stripes, a pace that continued as blues evolved into R&B and then rock and
roll. For some reason there are far fewer gospel Christmas songs although there were plenty of
Christmas sermons in the 1920s and 1930s when recorded sermons rivalled blues in popularity
among black audiences.

Going hand in hand with Christmas is quite a number of New Year songs, a good vehicle for
juxtaposing the problems of the past year with the glimmer of hope that the upcoming year will
bring better fortune. Whether these artists sung these numbers as part of their regular repertoire is
unclear, but it is almost certainly the case that many of these songs were recorded at the prompting
of the record companies. Like any business they were always looking for a new angle or gimmick to
sell records and advertised these boldly, often with full-page ads, in black newspapers like the
Chicago Defender.

Perhaps you think this is a bit cynical but then you probably still believe in Santa Clause and good will
towards men! Well, sit back, tip a glass of holiday cheer and enjoy our survey of Yuletide classics
spanning the 1920s through the 1950s, a simpler, more wholesome time!

Also available in the Series

 

 

 

 

Other Winter /Christmas /Holiday Titles

 

Nine Below Zero – The Cold Winter Blues (New Release December 2020)

Single Compilation Album x 21 Tracks. Blues, Gospel, Doo-Wop . Various artists. Detailed
discography and notes. Available as a Download Flac or MP3.

Seasonal Selection Box Vol.1

Maxi Compilation Album x 29 Tracks. Festive Americana, World Music. Various artists. Detailed
discography and notes. Available as CD or Download MP3

Mr. Edison’s Christmas (1906 – 1927)

Single Compilation Album x 21 Tracks. Traditional Carols, Songs, Speech. Historic American Vintage
Recordings. Various artists. Detailed discography and notes. Available as CD or Download MP3