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The first Neville-related Christmas recording I’ve ever found is a recording of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An open Fire)” by Aaron, which was included on the “Creole Christmas” vinyl LP in 1986. According to the album’s liner notes: “Coca-Cola and Q-93 FM present “Creole Christmas,” a collection of native New Orleans sounds for the Christmas season. It is an album of traditional songs – arranged and performed in a style that is uniquely New Orleans. It recognizes the tremendous potential for growth of the music industry in this region and the vital role of business in the promotion of our rich tradition.”
I have never heard this album, but a Neville brothers promotional CD includes a recording that is most likely the same as this one. That version can be heard here: https://www.facebook.com/1028461577231347/videos/503854980108616
A similarly-named compact disc (“A Creole Christmas”) was released in 1990 and included several of the same songs as on the vinyl LP. Again, since I’ve never heard the vinyl version, I can’t say if these are the same recordings. Aaron’s recording of “The Christmas Song” on the CD sounds to me like a different mix of the same recording found on the vinyl version (assuming that the vinyl mix is actually the one heard on the aforementioned promotional CD. Listen to the CD version here: • The Christmas Song https://youtu.be/hXYXYnxgdeg?si=foQJzBVNpGNRpD66&t=1551
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The next Neville Christmas songs appeared on the 1992 collection, “Christmas In New Orleans – R&B, Jazz & Gospel.” Of that disc’s 13 tracks, three were performed by Charles’s daughter Charmaine: “Santa Baby” https://youtu.be/BSU9JDmTxGc ; “Merry Christmas Baby” https://youtu.be/mLuvchbi020 ; and “Christmas Comes But Once A Year” https://youtu.be/2HVi1yZFe2g
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1993 was a very prolific year for Aaron. He released “The Grand Tour” in April, and six months later (in October) he released the equally-excellent “Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas” LP
Please Come Home For Christmas https://youtu.be/knTwDZY7DzY
O Holy Night https://youtu.be/aLoyAyAYhrU
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) https://youtu.be/TmdoftqngRE
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow https://youtu.be/uQfz9UAQUFI
White Christmas https://youtu.be/8QG5JraKZHA
Such A Night https://youtu.be/XkrPBcjIo6I
O Little Town Of Bethlehem https://youtu.be/yZKYy_KHC2g
Silent Night https://youtu.be/6PFMBIupO3M
Louisiana Christmas Day https://youtu.be/1WxfB3RAHpM
The Star Carol https://youtu.be/QkXt9qQz0Ys
The Bells Of St. Mary’s https://youtu.be/-HXhZCv2auY
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In 1999, Cyril released the song “Christmas Scene in New Orleans” (a song that would be reissued in 2022.) The 1999 single included that song plus an instrumental version, both of which can be heard here: https://www.facebook.com/1028461577231347/videos/2412819835450510
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In 2004, Flambeau Records released the “Christmas Gumbo-Fourteen Spicy New Holiday Songs” CD. “This tasty collection of all new holiday music is prepared by award-winning songwriters and native New Orleanians, Greg Branhill and Will Robinson, served up by Louisiana’s finest singers and performers.” Ivan, Aaron, Art and sister Athelgra appear separately on four of the disc’s tracks. (Art &
Ivan appear together on one cut!)
“Got to Get You Under My Tree” (Sonny Landreth & the Dixie Cups – Athelgra Neville Gabriel on vocals as member of the Dixie Cups) https://youtu.be/HU5lbA5KS-s
“Christmas Gumbo” (Art with Ivan on organ) https://youtu.be/etWqrDzcOkc
“Pimp My Sleigh” (Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet with Ivan on organ and clavinet) https://youtu.be/7VYfr1zRAPk
“Christmas Without the Creole” (Irma Thomas with Ivan on organ) https://youtu.be/6dMjbr7LDpU
“Christmas Prayer” (Aaron) https://youtu.be/sukdVFg26RI
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In 2005, long-time Neville Brothers / funky METERS guitarist Brian Stoltz released his excellent “God, Guns & Money” LP. “One of the funkiest guitarists on the planet takes a detour into no-nonsense blues rock on this album! Socially conscious lyrics and genuine New Orleans-flavored rhythms make the album especially poignant…” Stoltz’s plea for world peace, “This Christmas” https://youtu.be/KHO6t0qQFO0 is a personal favorite. ❤
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Of Aaron’s 2005 release “Christmas Prayer,” Thom Jurek (of the AllMusic site) wrote that “Neville brings home the Christmas season and its good news origins with a quiet passion, a deep sense of reflection, and elegance.” Of the disc’s 13 tracks, four had been released previously: “Christmas Prayer” was available on 2004’s “Christmas Gumbo” CD; “Joy To The World” was also included on the Blind Boys of Alabama’s, “Go Tell It On The Mountain” LP in 2003; “The First Noel” was also released on T.D. Jakes Presents Follow That Star” from 2003; and “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” was previously available on the 2003 collection, “Now That’s What I Call Christmas! 2: The Signature Collection.”
Christmas Prayer https://youtu.be/-FKm4zqCuoM
Go Tell It On The Mountain https://youtu.be/69NpiOgWrnw
Mary’s Boy Child https://youtu.be/6XVbCc_I3kM
White Christmas https://youtu.be/sGfdepcf_dc
Joy To The World https://youtu.be/FQhC3Gz0d0Q
Merry Christmas Baby https://youtu.be/2MeYVdSuzPY
Hark The Herald Angels Sing https://youtu.be/GW0xvj5RkTk
The First Noel https://youtu.be/R4gve5-W7gg
Christmas Everyday https://youtu.be/Q4Mtdt9KcFk
O Come All Ye Faithful https://youtu.be/0oPW_TLfRqc
Ave Maria https://youtu.be/5aRRfvneEmk
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear https://youtu.be/vKGiTb_mbgA
Amen https://youtu.be/AERY6NqBSBk
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The 2009 album “‘Holiday Party’ features the world premiere new release by Aaron Neville ‘Please Don’t Forget’ https://vimeo.com/7715146. This song supports the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign by helping remind us how you can help those in need this holiday season. A portion of every purchase of this holiday album will go directly to the Salvation Army, ‘Doing The Most Good’… Holiday Party also features other music greats such as Ray Charles, Amy Grant, The Beach Boys, new R&B artist Blessing, and the classic Charlie Brown Christmas song ‘Christmas Time Is Here’.”
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In 2010, George Porter, Jr. released his “Christmas In New Orleans (A Tribute To My Mother)” LP. Some of the songs can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/george-porter-jr/sets/christmas-in-new-orleans-a-tribute-to-my-mother
I am not a paid member of Spotify so I can’t confirm, but it appears that the album can be heard in its entirety there https://open.spotify.com/album/0PiJ9t3hHaVH9xrShAI8jD The album’s six songs are: “It’s Christmas,” “Christmas In New Orleans,” “Da’ Train,” “A Mother’s Arms,” “Your Funky Christmas,” and “O’ Holy Night.”
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In 2011, “Legendary drummer Zigaboo Modeliste releases his 4th solo album on his label JZM Records entitled New Life. With elements of rock, funk, and blues on a timeless R&B base, this record features the iconic drumming and celebratory songwriting style of Zigaboo and his hometown of New Orleans. It also incorporates the talents of several music icons including legendary arranger Wardell Quezerque, saxophonist Norbert Stachel, and trumpeter Mic Gillet of Tower of Power fame.” An edited version of one of the tracks on that disc, “Holiday Kiss” https://youtu.be/-jHogzd0-6Y was released as a single that same year.
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Okay… this one is cheating a bit. It was never released commercially, but it was recorded professionally in a recording studio and released via a YouTube video, so we’re going to include it here.
“What happens when you take one artist, one mic, one iconic recording studio and give them one chance to show their raw talent?” You get a series of recordings, dubbed “One Mic, One Take.” Aaron recorded “This Magic Moment,” “Tears on my Pillow,” “Pledging My Love” and “The Christmas Song” for this series. Since ‘tis the season, let’s give the last of these a listen! https://youtu.be/K8hxR72sbi0
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In 2013, Ann and Nancy Wilson of the hard rock band Heart, released a digital-only Christmas single. Each sister sang a different song and each featured a guest singer. Nancy recorded “All Through The Night” with Richard Marx. Ann recorded “Please Come Home for Christmas” with Aaron Neville!!! https://youtu.be/0zEV8lCHV2I
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In 2014, Naomi Louise Warne (aka Ukamusic) released her tribute album to songwriting legend Johnny Mandel, titled “You Are There, The Songs of Johnny Mandel.” Charles, who had appeared on several of her previous albums, appeared on this one as well. The Holiday-oriented track “A Christmas Love Song” can be heard here: https://youtu.be/QpBN7ewymuU
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And, last (but certainly not least) brother Cyril surprised us last year with a 4-track Christmas collection, credited to Cyril Neville & Neville Family!! Titled “Christmas Scene In New Orleans,” the disc included the song from 1999 of the same name https://youtu.be/IAj-kvYdooE plus three more!!! “Jingle Bells” https://youtu.be/_HUfxthRoo8 ; “The Night Before Funkmas” https://youtu.be/BPrNDf2XRUs ; and “It’s Christmas Time (Let’s have Some Fun)” https://youtu.be/8MbjCh_z58Y
nevilletracks 