12 Soulful Days of Christmas
By Michael A. Gonzales
On the 1st day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“This Christmas” By Alexander O’Neal
Although this song was first recorded by the great Donny Hathaway (which he co-wrote with Nadine McKinnor) , one of the best covers came from Minneapolis soul man Alexander O’Neal. Produced by Jam & Lewis, the mackadelic O’Neal gives this much covered track his own flavor without losing Hathaway’s intent. It first appeared on the disc My Gift to You in 1988.
On the 2nd day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“All I Want For Christmas” By Mariah Carey
Leave it to the wonderful Mariah to make a bubbly Christmas song that sounds like she was lounging in the Brill Building with Phil Spector and sipping eggnog with Darlene Love. From her 1994 album simply titled Merry Christmas, this is one of the finest contemporary holiday songs from a modern pop diva.
On the 3rd day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Purple Snowflakes” By Marvin Gaye
Every year my friend Bill Adler makes a much-anticipated Christmas compilation disc Xmas Jollies, which was where I first heard this brilliant Christmas jam ten years ago. Sung smoothly over the same instrumental track used for Gaye’s “Pretty Little Baby,” this has to be one of the coolest holiday tracks ever recorded. A stereo mix can be found on Motown Christmas 2.
On the 4th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Christmas Won’t Be The Same Again This Year” By The Jackson 5
From their classic 1970 Christmas album, the Jackson perfectly combines their boy group chops to create a track is one of the coolest in the broken hearted holiday category. Sounding angst filled as he weeps next to the Christmas tree, Jermaine sings lead on this lovelorn song.
On the
5th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Little Christmas Tree” By Michael Jackson
On this original Christmas song written by George S. Clinton, Jr. and Artie Wayne, little Mike stepped into the solo holiday spotlight and wailed his heart out. “Little Christmas tree, looking sorta sad and lonely just like me,” he sang, teardrops lacing every word. “No one seems to care / They just went away and left it standing there / All alone on Christmas eve.” This cut from the 1973 double-album Motown Christmas, proves that nobody could be as maudlin as Michael for the holidays.
On the 6th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Funky Mellow Christmas” By En Vogue
Prior to putting this list together, I’d never heard this silky, sexy EnVogue song. According to YouTube, it was released in 2000 on a Japanese import. Sweet as a bag of Hershey kisses, the girls sound rhythmically righteous as they throw the funk. While they should’ve left the wack rapper on the cutting room floor, EnVogue is in prime form on this holiday rarity.
On the 7th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Last Christmas” By Wham!
Since Robin Thicke hasn’t released a holiday album yet, allow me to go back to my other favorite blue-eyed soul man. Before he went solo, George Michael recorded this 1994 jam as part of Wham! Though I’ve never been sure what exactly the other guy did, George is at his most heart-wrenching on this song… awesome.
On the 8th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“8 Days of Christmas” By Destiny’s Child
From the album of the same name, this Beyonce-sung track is an original track that works hard to keep tradition alive. Like snow angels and midnight church service, this 2005 release should be apart of your official celebration.
On the 9th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“Silver Bells” By A Few Good Men
This long-forgotten group from the golden days of LaFace Records brings a traditional X-mas jam alive. From the 1993 A LaFace Family Christmas, the album also features tracks from former label-mates Toni Braxton and TLC.
On the 10th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“The Christmas Song” By Tamia
Sung by former Quincy Jones protege from her outstanding 2007 album Gift Between Friends, our girl Tamia turns it out for the holidays with a voice so hot it’ll melt snow.
On the 11th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
A Double Scoop Of Snoop! “Happy Holidaze” By Bootsy Collins featuring Snoop Dogg
From Booty’s overlooked Christmas is 4 Ever, the forever P-Funk master kicks out the jamz with his musical son Snoop Dogg. This is one of the funkest songs ever greatest to celebrate this holy day. Featuring an intro from Bishop Magic Don Juan (“preach!) this song is pimpadelic. “Ho, ho, ho,” said the fat man.
& “Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto” By Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg
From the unlikely Christmas on Death Row album, west coast big poppa Snoop Dogg joins forces with Nate Dogg and brings the holiday to the hood. While this Isaac Hayes sampled track might not be to everyones taste, for the brothers chilling on the block waiting for ghetto St. Nick, this is the perfect rap-carol.
On the 12th day of Christmas, Soul Summer played for me…
“My Favorite Things” By The Supremes
Although I had never thought of this Sound of Music/John Coltrane standtard as a holiday song, it fits in perfectly on The Supremes 1965 album simply titled Merry Christmas. Led by diva Diana, whose light soulful pop pipes is beautiful, this song takes on a whole new context when played at this time of year.
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