2. Louis Armstrong and The Commanders - "Zat you Santa Clause?"/ "Cool Yule"

Christmas music is a section that most people have in their collection. It’s awesome to be able to pull a record out and give her a spin while the house smells like pine, the windows are all frosted over, you have a smoked German Schlenkerla(if you don’t know this beer experience you need to look one up), and the only glow in the house is from the fireplace or Christmas Tree lights. The greatest thing to enhance that experience is to pull out a piece of history and spin it on your table as if it were actually the 1940’s or 50’s, and you just picked it up at the local dime store combing through the record section. Few performers bring it like Louis Armstrong. You can trace his roots all the way back to the Paramount label out of Wisconsin, from the Paramount Chair Company in the 19-teens through the 30’s. He is a pioneer of music period! One of the Kings of Jazz. Louis is proof that it is the uniqueness in our voices/instruments, and the way we present them that makes us as artists. It’s in the imperfections that we find the uniqueness that sells a true artist/performer. Joe Walsh has been very forthright in saying that the magic of the human performance is due to it not being perfect. Could you imagine Bob Dylan singing on key? Louis’ delivery of the brass is unbelievable, however on these 2 songs it’s his vocal magic that shines. These are 2 playful tunes musically. They bring about joy through that playfulness. The band performance is very reminiscent of Frank De Vol from when his orchestra backs up Doris Day or Frank Sinatra. To have a promotional copy of this humbles me. How lucky am I. But the pink label means nothing. It’s the magic in the grooves that bring home the Christmas spirit. Those seeking a modern version of this song need to look no further than to seek out Brian Setzer’s Orchestra. So find you a copy, push 78, and drop the Ortofon. It will take you back to the long, and coveted Christmas’ of the past!!