Stax Christmas – Various Artists – Stax Records (19**)/Craft Recordings CR00671 180-gram stereo vinyl, 55:19 ****1/2:
(Featuring Otis Redding; The Staple Singers; Booker T & The MG’s; Carla Thomas; Isaac Hayes; Albert King; Rufus Thomas; The Rance Allen Group; The Temprees and The Emotions)
Memphis Soul and Christmas! What a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Stax Records and Craft Recordings have released a 12-track Christmas album that features some of the finest soul singers and musicians in the world. Most of these tracks had been previously recorded, and are now available on vinyl. Side 1 opens with the perennial r & b standard “Merry Christmas Baby”. It has been performed by James Brown, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. On this one, the inimitable Otis Redding lays down a serious claim as the definitive cover. His trademark gruff, howling vocals are backed by “926 East McLemore Avenue” players who inject funky hooks and horn accents. Keeping up the groove fest, The Staple Singers turn “Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas” into gospel testimony and Mavis Staples has never sounded better. It’s a blues fest with the appropriate dose of religion. Booker T & The MG’s (perhaps one of the greatest studio bands of all time) transform the popular standard “Winter Wonderland” into soulful magic, with crisp organ shading, and a tight rhythm section. A certain highlight is Carla Thomas’ vibrato-laced rendition of “Blue Christmas. First recorded by Doye O’Dell in 1948, it became a sensation when Elvis Presley recorded it. Here, Thomas distills the raw emotion and delivers it in a controlled higher register. On an original composition (“The Mistletoe And Me”), Isaac Hayes counters lush strings, horns and woodwinds with his distinctive baritone. There is a small reference to “No Place Like Home For The Holidays”. Blues legend Albert Kings is electric on “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’” His guitar runs are compelling and the vocals exude bluesy resonance.
Legendary performer Rufus Thomas sparkles on the up tempo “I’ll Be Your Santa Baby”. His edgy, jagged vocals exude soulful urgency. The gospel-like chorus and horns will easily remind listeners of the Memphis pedigree. In a more purist r & b arrangement, Cix Bit’s “Seasons Greetings” is freewheeling with a scratchy electric guitar, and call & response vocal treatment. In a surprise, The Rance Allen Group delivers an atmospheric take on the Irving Berlin classic, “White Christmas”. The lead vocals have flexibility and falsetto. Another “mainstream” selection is “The Christmas Song” sung by The Temprees. The low-keyed slow-dance romantic vibe is front and center. There is textured instrumentation throughout the album. On “What Do The Lonely Do For Christmas?”, the seasonal melancholy is showcased with restrained angst. The finale is worthy of this anthology’s musical vision. New Orleans royalty (Rufus and Carla Thomas) combine for a spirited uplifting church-like original, “That Makes Christmas Day”. The connection with blues and soul is exemplified by this number. The thick horn accents and backup vocals are expansive. Rufus’ talking delivery is a nice additional texture to the sweet soul that permeates the jam.
Stax Christmas should be a part of every Holiday celebration! The album is also available on CD and digital.
—Robbie Gerson
Stax Christmas
TrackList:
Side 1: Merry Christmas Baby (Alternative Mix); Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas; Winter Wonderland (Take 2); Blue Christmas; The Mistletoe And Me; Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’
Side 2: I’ll Be Your Santa Baby; Season Greetings; White Christmas; It’s Christmas Time Again (The Christmas Song); What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas?; That Makes Christmas Day.
More information through Acoustic Sounds
