Spice up the season with some classic yuletide blues!

Christmas is generally considered a season of delight, good tidings and cheer. Paradoxically, Christmas is also a time for nostalgia and deep thoughts. It also explains why blues music, with its ability to capture feelings of unbridled joy and heart-wrenching sorrow, often in the same song, turns out to be the perfect soundtrack for the holidays.

Right from the get-go, Charles Brown reminds us to take full advantage of this special time, for “Christmas Comes But Once A Year.” The Texas-born blues singer and pianist had a long romance with Christmas songs, and many of his most successful recordings had holiday themes. Brown’s smooth voice gives way to the harmonica tones of Kenny Neal on “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” a steady driving blues that features Neal’s soulful harmonica playing. The cozy get-together turns full-blown party with “I Don’t Want You Just for Christmas” by zydeco legend, Nathan Williams and his band, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Chas. Williams lets the subject of his affections know that just because Christmas comes but once a year, their loving doesn’t have to. We are then joined by two greats, blues-rock guitarist Anson Funderburgh and his guest, award-winning vocalist Sam Myers. Together they perform the 1950s classic “Lonesome Christmas.”

Next, you’re in for a real holiday classic with “Please Come Home for Christmas.” During his career, keyboardist Chuck Leavell has played with rock legends such as The Allman Brothers and George Harrison, and here he teams up with singer Lisa Fischer. Following this seductive duet, Paul Oscher re-orients us in what he calls the “real, unadulterated, down-in-the-alley, gutbucket blues” with “Christmas Blues.”

We slow things down with the next number, “Merry Christmas Baby,” a perfect introductory tune for Blues Christmas newcomers. This song has been recorded by Otis Redding and Elvis Presley among other legends—now Mel Brown and the Homewreckers give it their spin. Then, Kenny Neal reassures us of the malleability of the blues, presenting his rendition of “Lonesome Christmas.” Jesse Thomas leaves plenty of lyrical space for his harmonica to speak for him, claiming “…my love for you means more than words can express…” on “Merry Christmas.” Whether you were naughty or nice this year, we’re sure that Earl King and his potent electric guitar riffs on “Santa, Don’t Let Me Down” will spice up your holidays.