I don't listen to a lot of Christmas records seeped in the blues, but when I do, it is BB King's "A Christmas Celebration of Hope" or Eric Clapton's "Happy Xmas"
It is without question that a record of this caliber should be added to the Christmas Compendium of records that circulate through my consciousness and natural audio processing units every year.
While I am not the biggest fan of redundant covers, Keb' Mo' manages to bring his own style and give reason to recording another version of classics such as "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," a duet with Melissa Manchester. Clandestine covers (songs not generally covered outside its genre) such as "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus Blues" pay tribute respectfully to Theodore Edwards and Charley Jordan, whilst adding his style to the tunes.
Some of my favorites happen to be the one-two punch of the eponymous second song and "Better Everyday," both of which are love songs, and worthwhile additions to the ever-expanding collection of holiday songs.
In fact, the whole album is a labor of love, paying tribute to the classics of old, in his respective genre and some more common ground recordings to name one. It also pays tribute to the holiday and the love of family and the holiday. Even the song "Christmas is Annoying" is written with love, and the lyrics sound like a testament to that; not only the notion where Christmas is like a dream and as you get older that dream fades away, or the magic of it all seems to dissipate, but the 'Auld Lang Syne' addition as well.
The latter was a little tongue in cheek, but also genuine frustration, because there is a lot to love about the season. He even mentions in another original, "When the Children Sing," found later in the album, that it is his favorite time of year, but what one loves about the season or the significance of what was originally cherished...changes.
If you love your Christmas blues a little funky, then this song may give you a "Merry Merry Christmas"
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