Search - Various Artists :: Soul Christmas

A Soulful collection that transcends genre

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This great collection ranges from Clarence Carter's raucous "Back Door Santa", giving new meaning to the "Xmas" abbreviation to The Impressions sacred presentation of "Silent Night".However, one will wonder if we really need two versions of "White Christmas" and two versions of "Merry Christmas, Baby". The answer is a resounding, "Yes, we sure do!" This unusual repetition is one factor that gives this entire set such a unity and flow. You'll see what I mean as I point out the highlights here.The CD opens with Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters in a definitive R&B version of "White Christmas", complete with gospel overtones. This is immediately followed with Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" featuring great sweet soul vocals with funky horns, sleigh bells, and pulsating rhythm. And then Carla Thomas brings us "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas", a bittersweet and seductive spinoff of the 1961 hit, "Gee Whiz'. Booker T & the MG's come through with an instrumental "Merry Christmas Baby", featuring Steve Cropper's masterful guitar work. Luther's festive holiday dance track, "May Christmas Bring You Happiness" deserved recognition that it missed when first released. The sharp contrast of the next cut is chilling. This is Otis Redding's version of "White Christmas", a shockingly melancholy rendition which is in an altogether different ballpark than the Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters version. Booker T. & The MG's return with another instrumental, a jazzy, bright "Silver Bells". Again, we get a sharp contrast as Carla Thomas returns with her restrained but sorrowful "All I Want For Christmas Is You". Then we hear the Drifters straight-forward arrangement of "The Christmas Song", followed by Otis Redding who surprises us with his joyful and even punchy version of "Merry Christmas, Baby", a really sharp contrast to the Booker T. & the MG's version as well as to his own "White Christmas". There's much, much more here, but I do want to point out the Otis & Carla duet, "New Year's Resolution", and the final cut which is a remix of Luther's "May Christmas Bring You Happiness".This is a total satisfying recording and likely to remain one of the very best soul Christmas recordings ever."

More For The Holidays On Expanded "Soul Christmas" Set

Anthony G Pizza | FL | 12/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This essential 1991 reissue changed the artwork, updated and expanded Atlantic's original 1968 "Soul Christmas," the finest such collection released. That set featured holiday chestnuts dipped in Memphis/Muscle Shoals soul stew: Otis Redding's rollicking "Merry Christmas Baby" and heartbreaking "White Christmas," Clarence Carter's salacious "Back Door Santa," Solomon Burke's stirring "Presents For Christmas," and Carla Thomas' girl-group sweet sequel, "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas." In its way, "Soul Christmas" addressed the joy, loneliness, and intensity inherent in this most emotional time of year.Those classics form the core of this collection, which also features soaring jazz-funk instrumentals from King Curtis and Booker T. & The MGs, respecively, with Donny Hathaway's horn-driven 1970 classic "This Christmas," and the Clyde McPhatter-led Drifters' timeless take on "White Christmas." (The later Drifters also provide a smooth take on "The Christmas Song.") Luther Vandross, a 1977 session musician later 1991 superstar, leads his group in original and remixes on "May Christmas Bring You Happiness." Performers best known for their pre-Atlantic work (the Impressions, Brook Benton) contribute Christmas singles, while Margie Joseph's sweet-soul slick "Christmas Gift" could have been a R&B/pop hit any time.Unlike many various and even single-artist Christmas sets, "Soul Christmas" delivers familiar songs without bombast or trite sentimentality (as Phil Spector delivered in his revered Christmas album and played off in its ironic closing words). It's a welcome addition for fans of Christmas music or classic R&B; Scrooge and the Grinch have nothing on fans of neither."

Soul Christmas for the Soul

Shabria Ward | Brown Deer, Wisconsin USA | 12/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this CD 5 years ago and everytime I play it it's like the first time I played it. Every cut on the cd is great I mean from the Drifters to Luther, I especially like the Marjie Joseph cut Christmas Gift it takes me back to the 70's. I would urge anyone to purchase this I listen to it year round, 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, a must have."