The LP (above), Miss Dorothy Ashby (below)

Listen/Download – The Soulful Strings – Jingle Bells

Listen/Download – The Soulful Strings feat. Dorothy Ashby – Merry Christmas Baby

Greetings all.

Today’s Christmas presents were originally posted back in 2007.

You know I’m a HUGE Richard Evans/Soulful Strings fan, and their version of ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ is in a dead heat for the title of my all-time fave Christmas record.

Don’t forget to tune in to the Funky16Corners Radio Show Christmas Special, this Friday at 9PM where you’ll hear many of the old favorites and some newly discovered goodies as well.

If you celebrate, have a great Christmas, if not, have a great weekend all the same.

See you next week. – Larry

>>As I’ve stated repeatedly in the past, I’ve never been much of a holiday music collector. However, once in a while a personal obsession of mine also happens to have a Christmas record. In the case of Richard Evans and the Soulful Strings, their 1968 LP ‘The Magic of Christmas’ is a real gem.

The first tune I selected was the obvious choice (at least for me) because I can’t think of another version of ‘Jingle Bells’ that opens up with an honest to goodness drum break. I’m not sure who’s laying it down here (though I’m guessing that it is in fact Morris Jennings Jr.).

The second selection is a lush, sublime reading of Charles Brown’s classic ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ which features the brilliant Dorothy Ashby on harp. If you aren’t familiar with Ashby – I included her ‘Soul Vibrations’ on my collab with DJ Prestige ‘Beat Combination Pt2’ (check out the Flea Market Funk Mixes page)– she was one of the few harpists who could actually play jazz on the instrument, and the three albums she recorded for Cadet between 1968 and 1970 (in collaboration with Evans) are brilliant.

If your nerves are frayed (like mine) and the consumerist madness of the holiday season has you down, give this version of ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ a listen and all will (at least for a few minutes) be well, as it is positively sublime.

I’ll be taking the next week off to enjoy the holiday with my family and do a little visiting. I will most definitely be back with something for New Years Eve, so hang tight, enjoy your Christmas and I’ll see you all soon.<<

 

Peace

Larry

 

 

 

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

 

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PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

3 Responses to “F16C Christmas Week Pt4 – Two from the Soulful Strings”

1. Mondo says:

   December 22, 2011 at 5:39 am

   Luscious stuff Larry – love these Soulful Strings cuts. They really help ease the ‘consumerist madness’

   If you fancy a festive scoop or two, our Christmas podcast is here for grabs with some punk and funky seasonal nuggets…and one of our regulars doing a home recorded version of Billy Joel’s Root Beer Rag..
   https://www.divshare.com/direct/16428518-ee4.mp3

   All the best to you and yours and better health and happiness for 2012

2. porky says:

   December 23, 2011 at 8:17 pm

   Larry
   I just scored a Soulful Strings LP last week with mid 60’s hits including “Eight Miles High.” Couldn’t pass that up.

   As Mondo says better health and happiness for 2012!!

3. Larry Grogan says:

   December 23, 2011 at 8:24 pm

   Porky
   Grab’em when you can. They’re all good and surprisingly hard to find.
   Larry