A few Christmas Crackers ...

Here's a few soulful versions of some of the Christmas 'standards'.

Nat "King" Cole [1946] - The Christmas Song [Capitol #F90036]

Possibly, apart from White Christmas perhaps, the quintessential Christmas record by the late great Nat "King" Cole.  Cole first recorded 'The Christmas Song' in 1946.

Gregory Porter [2017] - The Christmas Song [Blue Note #B002739502]

From the album Nat "King" Cole & Me

Luther Vandross [1992] - The Christmas Song [A&M #31454 0003 2]

... and here's another legend's version from yet another late great, Luther Vandross, originally released on a 1992 VA christmas compilation 'A Very Special Christmas 2'

Luther Vandross [1995] - Have Youself A Merry Little Christmas [Epic #E 57795]

'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' was first recorded by Judy Garland in 1944 movie 'Meet Me In St. Louis'.

Christina Aguilera [2020] - Have Yoursel A Merry Little Christmas

I've just 'had' to add this. What an absolutely stunning performance from Christina Aguilera.  This girl has got real soul on the right material!

Luther Vandross [1995] - My Favorite Things [Epic #E 57795]

Now here's a 'groovy' litte rendition of a song from The Sound Of Music .... no really ... don't dismiss, give it a listen and the best of all watch Luther live!  As you'd expect, Luther turns a pretty MOR song into something completely different!  It's got a great modern vibe.

The full version here if you 'dig it' as the live cilip is a shortened version!

'My Favorite Things' was written by Rodgers & Hammerstein for The Sound Of Music musical in 1959 which of course became a film in 1965.  It's sad to say, but I believe that this was the first film I ever saw at the cinema at a very young age!

P.S.  I'm 'rediscovering' Luther Vandross at present by revisiting his earlier recordings, as I went off him after 1988 as his material deteriorated into MOR for the mass audience, probably at the behest of the record company.  Unfortunately the record company was proved right as his highest chart entries where between 1988-1994 with 5 Hot 100 Top 10 entries: Here And Now #6, Power Of Love /  Love Power #4, Don't Want To Be A Fool #9, The Best Things In Life Are Free (with Janet Jackson) #10, Endless Love (with Mariah Carey) #2, and none of these would feature in my personal Luther Top 10!

Watch out for a post coming soon highlighting his lesser known recordings which didn't bother the charts (much), similar to the recent Stevie Wonder post i.e. B sides and album only tracks or A sides that didn't chart!  For example did you know that his classic 'A House Is Not A Home' was only issued as a single in UK and only as a B Side to 'See Me' in 1987, a full 6 years after it featured on his debut album!