The Godfather of Soul makes it to the 20th Century Masters collection for a third time with this Christmas collection. James Brown was a big fan of Christmas, and Christmas records, releasing three of them: James Brown & His Famous Flames Sing Christmas Songs from 1966, Soulful Christmas from 1968, and Hey America released in 1970. All three albums are represented here, and despite JB's high-octane funk image, he's a sentimental guy, too (you would have to be to release three holiday albums), and most of the 17 tracks on The Christmas Collection are soul ballads. Hey, there's even a cover of the Mel Tormé-penned Yuletide classic "The Christmas Song." "Soulful Christmas," "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," and "Merry Christmas, I Love You" are the best of the ballads and, like rum in eggnog, a few funky cuts sneak in as well, including the racial equality-espousing "Hey America" and the warm groove of "Christmas in Love." Rumor has it that Santa himself has done more than a few chimney shimmies to JB's holiday treats.
Label:Polydor – B000062302, UMe – B000062302, Chronicles – B000062302
Series:20th Century Masters The Christmas Collection
Format:CD, Compilation
Country:CANADA
Released: 2003
Genre:Funk / Soul
Style:Holiday
TRACKLIST:
1 Go Power At Christmas Time 3:10
2 Let's Unite The Whole World At Christmas 2:42
3 Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto 3:00
4 Merry Christmas Baby 3:54
5 Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year, Parts 1 & 2 6:28
6 Soulful Christmas 3:05
7 The Christmas Song - Version 1 2:40
8 Sweet Little Baby Boy, Parts 1 & 2 5:14
9 Christmas Is Love 5:59
10 Please Come Home For Christmas 3:20
11 Santa Claus Is Definitely Here To Stay 4:21
12 Tit For Tat Ain't No Talking Back 3:03
13 Santa Claus, Santa Claus 4:01
14 Merry Christmas, I Love You 2:30
15 Signs Of Christmas 4:35
16 Christmas In Heaven 4:35
17 Hey America (Extended Version) 3:56