ChristmasComing #9
The Nic Nacs – Gonna Have A Merry Xmas
Moving out of the festive sounds of Jamaica and into this majestic slice of West Coast Rhythm and Blues/Doo Wop/Vocal Group Christmas action from the Nic Nacs, fronted in the finest style by the vocal talents of Mickey Champion who has been working it since being ‘discovered’ by the Legendary band leader Johnny Otis in L.A back in the mists of time…BOSS tune.
sleighbellsring #16
(Johnny Moore’s Blazers – Christmas Eve Baby)
Woke up this morning with the smell, sound and sight of Christmas in my nose, ears and eyes…what JOY. So with that in mind today I am going to post as many cuts as I can manage in between preparing for Santa’s visit tonight.
First up is a cut from Johnny Moore’s Blazers. Not sure of the exact year or even whether it’s Charles Brown on vocal duties what I am sure of however is it’s quality…..
sleighbellsring #6
(Joe Tuner and Pete Johnson – Christmas Date Boogie)
Today’s cut is courtesy of two legends. Boogie Woogie/Stride piano extrordinaire Pete Johnson with long time companion ‘Big’ Joe Turner who together were there to shape what became known as Rock & Roll. Johnson and Big Joe recorded ‘Roll ‘Em Pete’ after being scouted by John Hammond for his ‘Spirituals To Swing concert at Carniege Hall in 1938. Prolific recording artists they also recorded the seminal ‘Rocket 88 Boogie’ in the late 40’s which Ike Turner used as the basis for what is considered to be a watershed slice in the development of Rock & Roll…’Rocket #88′ as well as the original cut of Shake Rattle And Roll.
sleighbellsring #5
(Riff Ruffin – Xmas Baby)
Apologies for not posting up yesterday’s cut until this morning. Thought I had until one o’ youse ‘tipped me the wink’.
Today’s 1956 cut is one from the Rhythm & Blues canon…ranking slice. A must for all the Christmas HEP cats out there around the globe.
themusicologist 