Reviewed by Peter Timmis

Blues is not normally associated with Christmas but many of the genre's biggest names have recorded festive songs. Included are tracks by legends, Leadbelly, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lightnin' Hopkins (whose "Happy New Year" is a real toe-tapper) alongside lesser known artists like street preaching, guitar playing evangelist Rev Edward Clayborn. "While the church is praying on Christmas Day/other people are roaming the streets and drinking their soul away" he sings on "The Wrong Way To Celebrate Xmas" recorded in 1928. Boll Weavil's familiar bottleneck guitar on "Christmas Time Blues" is joined by two sermons from Rev J.M Gates who warns on "Death Might Be Your Santa Claus" that "we celebrate Christmas the wrong way". There's some enjoyable gospel here to lighten the mood - the joyous opening song "Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn" sung by flamboyant Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon and "When Was Jesus Born" a rousing number sung by Sons of Heaven, better known as gospel quartet, the Selah Jubilee Singers. A refreshing collection and the crackly, vintage recordings just add to the charm.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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