Just because it's the Christmas season doesn't mean that you have to give up your blues music. Sure, holiday blues albums are scarcer than hen's teeth, and there's not a whole heck of a lot to choose from beyond our annual "It's A Blues Christmas" list. Two of the albums on that list come courtesy of our friends at Alligator Records, who definitely with all of you a "Merry Blues Christmas!" with their Genuine Houserockin' Christmas and The Alligator Records Christmas Collection album.
Since your friendly Blues Guide is certainly no Grinch, I asked Alligator's Head Elf for copies of these two Christmas collections for review. The Alligator Records Christmas Collection features inspired performances from folks like Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Kenny Neal, Son Seals, Elvin Bishop, and Charlie Musselwhite, among others. For those blues fans that like a little more "rockin' in their stocking," Alligator Records' Genuine Houserockin' Christmas offers songs from the aforementioned Taylor ('cause it just ain't Christmas without Koko!), along with talented folks like Carey Bell, Shemekia Copeland, W.C. Clark, Clifton Chenier, and Marcia Ball, to name but a few.
As you'll see from these reviews, both albums will help make your Christmas a truly bluesy occasion, and they both come highly recommended by the Reverend himself!
Photo courtesy Alligator Records
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