Back in the day, in the late 1990s and earliest parts of this century, I used to burn compilation CDs – think of mixed tapes. Presently, I don’t even have a computer with a drive, so I’m not doing that right now.
But I used to do it a LOT, primarily in 2005-2007, when I was involved in a blogger CD exchange with Lefty Brown, Gordon Dymowski, Eddie Mitchell, and Greg Burgas, among others, almost all of whom who were linked on the then-blog of Fred G. Hembeck.
I’d also make CDs for my Bible group and for my co-workers. I THINK this Christmas compilation, created in 2006, might have been made for my officemates. Or not. This will be in two parts.
The first track, which I can’t find on YouTube, is a spoken word Holiday Greetings from Hello Records. I used to buy these CDs, usually with four or five songs on them.
Every Valley Shall Be Exalted · Lizz Lee, Chris Willis, and Mike E. This is from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, which came out in 1992.
Mary’s Boy Child · Harry Belafonte. I believe this was released in 1957.
White Christmas – The Drifters. The cartoon for this 1954 track was created by Joshua Held. The song features Bill Pinkney on lead bass and Clyde McPhatter on tenor.
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Carla Thomas. One of those great Stax artists from c. 1966.
Geography
Louisiana Christmas Day · Aaron Neville. From his 1993 album Soulful Christmas. There are other good songs but this may be the best.
Christmas On The Bayou · Michael McDonald. This was from an album of his I found surprisingly bland. This is the best song, co-written by the singer.
Carolina Christmas · Squirrel Nut Zippers. Actually, the track I have, from some compilation, is attributed to Maxwell/Mosher. I can’t find that exact cut. But since Tom Maxwell and Ken Mosher, the composers, have been in iterations of the band, this is the closest approximation. I think the other version is slightly better.
Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday · William Bell. Another excellent Stax track on the Soul Christmas album, written by Bell and Booker T Jones.
Give Me a Second Chance for Christmas – Mike Viola and The Candy Butchers. A version of this is on the Hello Christmas album.
Comfort and Joy – Simon and Garfunkel. This version of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen appears on the duo’s box set.