James Brown and His Famous Flames Christmas Songs Album - 1967 King Records Vinyl LP | Holiday Music for Parties, Gifts & Festive Gatherings

The first of James Brown's three Christmas albums on King Records, 'James Brown And His Famous Flames SING CHRISTMAS SONGS' is considered by many to be his best. In my opinion it's a tossup between this and his second, 'A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS,' There's no doubt, however that this is the more traditional of the two, with James performing such holiday nuggets as Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "Merry Christmas, Baby" and Billy Ward & The Dominoes' "Christmas In Heaven". Some of this material was released on the old Rhino CD 'SANTA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG' and on Polydor's similar 'FUNKY CHRISTMAS.' It wasn't until 2010 when the great reissue label Hip-O Select gave Brown fans a terrific Christmas present. The fantastic 'COMPLETE JAMES BROWN CHRISTMAS' is a 2CD set with all three albums, some non-LP singles and some single mixes. The great illustrated and informative booklet even shows the different variations of the album covers over the years. Considering the lousy quality of many of the old King Records albums, even when new, the COMPLETE set is the way to go. Take that $20 from grandma and buy it ASAP! Here's the scoop on the original album......Originally released in Nov. 1966 as 'James Brown And His Famous Flames SING CHRISTMAS SONGS' (KING KLP-1010)1. Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year (originally A & B Sides of KING 45-6072, Nov. 1966)2. Sweet Little Baby Boy (Parts 1 & 2) (Originally A & B Sides of KING 45-6056, Nov. 1966, #8 R&B)3. Merry Christmas, I Love You4. Signs Of Christmas5. The Christmas Song (Version 2) (KING 45-6064B, Nov. 1966)6. Merry Christmas Baby7. The Christmas Song (Version 1) (KING 45-6064A, Nov. 1966)8. Please Come Home for Christmas9. This Is My Lonely Christmas (Part 1)10. This Is My Lonely Christmas (Part 2)11. Christmas In HeavenRecorded October 17-19 1966 King Studios, Cincinnati, OHthe band:James Brown - vocals, organ & piano (9 & 10)The Charmaines (Gigi Griffin, Dee Watkins & Irene Vinegar) - background vocalsBobby Byrd - piano & electric piano (3 & 4)Jimmy Nolen - guitarMichael Moore - bassClyde Stubblefield - drumsAlfred "Pee Wee" Ellis - tenor saxGordon Brisker - tenor saxJames McGary - tenor & baritone saxFrank Brown - trumpetDenny Bayliss - trumpetDick Coghill - trumpetLevi Rasbury - valve tromboneJoe Sherman - violinRay Castillo - violinRon Konieczka - violinHerman Wasserman - violinUnidentified piano & electric pianoNat Jones - Arranger, alto sax (6 & 8)Produced by James Brown