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If you are the kind of person who likes compiling the all-time most miserable Christmas tunes list ever (try ‘Blue Xmas’ by Miles Davis for one), this joyful bag of tunes with more bonhomie than a drunk Santa is not really going to be up your street. Nevertheless, it is a million miles away from the endlessly recycled tunes that you are forced to listen to in packed shops this time of year and it should be seen as the only socially acceptable way to indulge your need for seasonally-themed music.

I mean, take the opener ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’ by Big Al Carson (trust me when I say the ‘Big’ is not ironically intended in Big Al), these guys couldn’t help swinging the hell out of the song if they wanted to. Even a grouchy old sod like me can’t help smiling to this pile of insane jazz joviality.

You could almost set this as a task to prove your jazz chops: take the most tired tune in the world, ‘White Christmas’ and spin it so differently that a music lover would actually want to hear it out. Task done by Topsy Chapman.

I could go on but you catch the drift. And as if that wasn’t enough, some of the proceeds go to help out the fine citizens of New Orleans in difficult times for the city that gave us jazz.

New Orleans Christmas is out on Putumayo

Tracks:
1. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town — Big Al Carson
2. Christmas In New Orleans — James Andrews
3. ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? — Ingrid Lucia
4. Silver Bells — Heritage Hall Jazz Band
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas — Banu Gibson & The New Orleans Hot Jazz
6. Please Come Home For Christmas — Papa Don Vappie’s New Orleans Jazz Band
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen — Ellis Marsalis
8. White Christmas — John Boutte
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas — Topsy Chapman
10. Santa’s Second Line — New Birth Brass Band
11. Holiday Time In New Orleans — Dukes Of Dixieland