Duke Pearson: Merry Ole Soul

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

It's that time of year—when I pick my classic holiday jazz or pop album. The rules are simple: It has to be an old recording, it has to have escaped most people's radar, and it has to have retained a certain holiday charm—not too sappy and not too earnest. Just timeless fun that brings to mind crackling fireplaces, the smell of toasted marshmallows and the nip of snow. My 2012 pick? Duke Pearson's Merry Ole Soul. [Photo above of Duke Pearson by Francis Wolff]

Recorded in February and August 1969, pianist Pearson was joined by bassist Bob Cranshaw, drummer Mickey Roker and percussionist Airto Moreira. The song selections are a mix of children's songs, ballads and traditional numbers—Sleigh Ride, Little Drummer Boy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Jingle Bells, Old Fashioned Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Go Tell It on the Mountain, Wassail Song, Silent Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

What makes this album special is Pearson's hushed way of telling each song's story on the keyboard, complete with joyous, soulful touches and surprising introductions and smart arrangements. Perfect vintage holiday cheer.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Duke Pearson's Merry Ole Soulon Duke Pearson Mosaic Selectbox—though the set is now out of print. Two of the tracks can be found as downloads here. If you want the Japanese import, it will set you back $466. Or just listen at YouTube here.

JazzWax clip: Here's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (roll your cursor to the left of the song title in the bar below and click the "play" arrow that appears):

Merry Little Christmas

Here are albums that have already been inducted into the JazzWax Holiday Album Hall of Fame...

2011—Urbie Green: A Cool Yule Tide (1954)... 

2010—Eddie Higgins: Christmas Songs (2004)...

2009—June Christy: This Time of Year (1961)...

2008—Jo Stafford's Happy Holidays: I Love the Winter Weather (1950s)...

Used with permission by Marc Myers