Reviewed by Tony Cummings

An intriguing compilation of old R&B tracks largely recorded in the '50s. As a great admirer of such blues giants as B B King, Lowel Fulsom and Smokey Hogg it was fascinating to hear these Christmas songs though in truth their tracks with standard "merry Christmas baby" type lyrics and melodies using the same tunes as 10 thousand other 12 bar songs that were probably knocked together in five minutes. Also, despite my aversion to Father Christmas songs, the Debonaires' "Crazy Santa Claus" and the Voices' "Santa Claus Baby" are a lot more fun than those ghastly yuletide tracks we hear on some CCM releases (remember Michael W Smith's "Jingle Bells"?). But the main Cross Rhythms interest here is "God Gave Us Christmas" by the wonderfully named Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers - a 1953 cut for lovers of the doowop sound wondering if they would ever hear a track as good as the Orioles' "Crying In The Chapel".

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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