Soul Christmas / Various

Soul Christmas / Various

Originally released as an Atlantic holiday compilation in 1968 and long out of print on vinyl, Soul Christmas is an 11 track collection of songs featuring Soul legends such as Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Clarence Carter, William Bell, King Curtis, and Booker T & The MGs. Apart from nods to classics like White Christmas done by Otis, Booker T's "Jingle Bells," and the R&B favorite "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" (featuring Sax man King Curtis along with a guitar solo by Duane Allman), the songs are tailor-made originals that fit the style of the respective artists. Carter's "Back Door Santa" is a hilariously salacious cut; Tex gives us a preacher-like "I'll Make Everyday Christmas"; and Thomas is at her most cute and innocent with "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas." Redding's version of "Merry Christmas Baby" is an obvious standout, while Bell's "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday" is the only bona fide charted single. The album is ranked #9 on Rolling Stone's 25 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time list.