A very cool collection of Holiday tunes from the postwar years – lots of special, unusual tracks that go way past the hits – served up in a mixture of styles that includes work in the vocal group, early rock, jazz, and pop modes! The package definitely lives up to the standard we expect from Bear Family – with a great sense of depth, and an ability to really read between the lines when it comes to musical history of this period – on titles that include "Nuthin For Christmas" by Eartha Kitt, "Happy New Year Baby" by Jo Ann Campbell, "Snowshoe Thompson" by Tennessee Ernie Ford, "Snow" by Rosemary Clooney, "White Christmas" by The Four Lovers, "Christmas Twist" by Charlie Starr, "North Pole Rock" by Cathy Sharpe, "Christmas Spirits" by Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends, "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by The Cadillacs, "I Want Elvis For Christmas" by The Holly Twins, "Rockin Santa Claus" by The Moods, "I Want A Beatle For Christmas" by Patty Surbey & The Canadian VIPs, "Santa Claus Meets The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley, "Silent Night" by Frankie Lyman, and even a spoken "Christmas Greetings" by Ann Margret! CD

Great Christmas tunes from the early years of soul music – tracks that have their roots in the R&B Christmas modes of the 50s, but also burst out in great new directions too! Some of the tracks feature harmony groups, others feature single artists – and in addition to some of the bluer sounds of the season, there's lots of titles here that sparkle with a newly festive vibe – that upbeat style that you'd also hear on dancefloor soul singles of the period. There's plenty of unfamiliar numbers here – which makes the set a delight to our ears – and titles include "Santa Claus Is Coming" by The Midnighters, "Don't Cry For Me This Xmas" by The Marcels, "New Year Greeting" by Gene McDaniels, "I'll Stay Home" by The Jaynells, "Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Kim Weston, "I Wish You A Merry Christmas" by Big Dee Irwin & Little Eva, "Mr Santa Claus" by Nathaniel Mayer, "Merry Christmas Darling" by The Uniques, "White Christmas" by Darlene Love, "Drive Slow" by Johnny Flamingo, "Christmas Time" by Jan Bradley, "Blue Holiday" by The Shirelles, "Merry Christmas Darling" by Poppa Hop, and "Christmas Greeting" by Gene McDaniels. CD