Welcome to the second half of the Reds, Blues, Greens Christmas. If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, no worries. It’s around, you can hear it some other time, or some other Christmas. The themes are universal. Money is tight, everybody is having fun but you, and romance is something you see on the Hallmark Channel. The Blues is here, and regardless of when it was recorded, it speaks to you.
So let’s party! Like it’s 1949!
Samuel Lightnin’ Hopkins believed his greatest gift did not come at Christmas, but at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas when he was 8 years old. That would be around 1920. The gift? An appearance by the legend Blind Lemon Jefferson. After that, Lightnin believed “the blues was in him.” Here he is at 40, recorded in 1953 in Houston Texas.
Double entendres show up in the blues more often than bottleneck slide guitars. I’m not about to point any of them out, but I can tell you this is Victoria Spivey and her Chicago Four with a scratch classic from Depression Christmas 1936. Victoria stands her ground on I Ain’t Gonna Let You See My Santa Claus.
LOWELL FULSON was west coast all the way. He confuses those who dig for his fabulous blues recordings because he sometimes recorded as Lowell Fulsom with an m to avoid contract problems. Born in Atoka Oklahoma he migrated with his family to California in the 40s. He had lots of hits and played the blues far into the 90s. So instead of moaning at midnight, this holiday tune is just a simple wish. Its 1967, the year of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. But Lowell Fulson just wants to spend Christmas with you.
Bobby Nunn found success in the world of Doo Wop, where he starred with the Robins and the Coasters. As a solo act he could rock the blues. If there were a video for this one, Bobby would be lit in dark dark blue while the rest of the world is going about decking the halls and fa la laing. But not poor poor Bobby. December 25th is just another long lonely day. He is in Hollywood in 1953 but it isn’t enough for Bobby Nunn, who can barely hear the Christmas Bells.
Charles Brown also spent his winters in sunny LA. He developed his sound in the blues club circuit, which took the lead from the crooning velvet of Nat King Cole. Brown first recorded his Christmas classic in 1947 in a trio known as Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. He was so smooth, and a major influence on the likes of Johnny Ace, Ivory Joe Hunter, and Ray Charles. Here we catch up with him when he’s home for the holidays in 1954 and the song is becoming a standard. Why not, it’s all about diamond rings, paradise, and good music on the radio. Who could ask for more? Charles Brown and Merry Christmas Baby.
Most of Jimmy McCracklin’s holidays were spent in the city by the bay, San Francisco. Jimmy wrote almost a thousand songs in his time, recorded 30 albums, and four of them went cold. So naturally, his jump blues take on the holiday was the other side of lonely, the side where you party all night long.
The party mood continues with Jimmy Butler whose stocking was packed with double meanings. No explanation needed. From 1954 it is Trim Your Tree.
From 1950 Jimmy Liggins and His Drops of Joy get in the mood with one condition. Forget the food, the jewelry, the cars. This is not the time of year to be flying solo. How about a little mistletoe? I Want My Baby for Chrisltmas.
Jimmy Witherspoon was born in Arkansas and got ou his break during World War II, singing with Teddy Weatherford’s band on Armed Forces Radio broadcasting from Calcutta India. He logged several successful European tours, and got famous for his style of blues shouting. Here we drop in on a rough Christmas. Jimmy checks his balance--15 cents--and tries to pawn his radiol. And! Jimmy rhymes the song title “How I Hate to See Christmas come around” with “brings me down.” Christmas blues with Jimmy Witherspoon!
Christmas 1950, blues great Floyd Dixon has those Empty Stocking Blues. And he’s not talking about them being filled with candy and fruit. This is more about two empty stockings that used to walk around the Christmas Tree. Remember Bobby Nunn? Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers back up Floyd who wants these stockings filled.
We close with a duet that could be called Baby It’s Cold Inside. There was no snow on the ground in LA in 1950 when the Nic Nacs with vocalist Mickey Champion recorded Gonna Have a Merry Christmas. The memory of last year was fresh and raw, but there was a chance of getting in a great holiday before 1951. But first we have to leave the mistletoe on the tree deal with what happened last year.
This was a tough Christmas, but if the Blues comes down your chimney, music can always help. Hope youve enjoyed the Reds, Greens and Blues for Christmas, and that Santa brings your baby back to you. Have mercy, and a fabulous holiday.
PLAYLIST
Lightnin' Hopkins. "Merry Christmas (1953)" The Stash Christmas Album. Stash Records, 1985. 02:46
Victoria Spivey. "I Ain't Gonna Let You See My Santa Claus (1936)" Blues, Blues Christmas. Document, 2013. 02:25
Lowell Fulsom. "I Wanna Spend Christmas With You (1967)" Amp Up the Holidays. Capitol EMI, 2001. 02:42
Bobby Nunn. "Christmas Bells (1953)" Rhythm and Blues Christmas. Ace, 2018. 02:44
Charles Brown. "Merry Christmas Baby (1954)" Merry Christmas Baby. Big Town, 1977. 03:35
Jimmy McCracklin. "Christmas Time (1961)" Cool Blue Christmas. Contrast Records, 2017. 02:20
Jimmy Witherspoon. "How I Hate to See Christmas Come Around (1948)" The Chronological Jimmy Witherspoon 1947-48. Classics, 2003. 03:19
Floyd Dixon w/ Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. "Empty Stocking Blues (1950) " Jingle Blues. House of Blues, 1998. 02:58
The Nic Nacs w/ Mickey Champion. "Gonna Have a Merry Christmas (1950)" Bam-A-Lam The R&B Recordings 1950-62 . Ace, 2008. 03:21
Christmas Eve at the Crossroads 
“The past is a blast.”
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