A nice couple who are regulars at the dollar store told us about how they take old Christmas songs they have on vinyl and make a Christmas Mix CD to give to friends and family each year around the holidays. They focused on songs that were less known and put out a different volume each year.

I thought this was a brilliant idea and I got excited and started digging up all the Christmas records I had. Then two nights ago I stayed up late and made a mix. Here is what I have so far:

1) Christmas Comes But Once a Year, Amos Milburn. This is off an old King 45, classic soul party feel-good Christmas song.

2) Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Elvis Presley. Kind of well known, but no Christmas mix would be complete without a song from the King. By far my favorite Elvis Christmas song.

3) Hang My Star, Soledad Brothers. I found this on a Flying Bomb record label Christmas mini-comp 45 titled Surprise Package Vol. 4. Not everyone will dig it, but it was too cool not to include on the mix.

4) Christmas Dreams, Johnny Moore’s Blazers. A sweet, gentle duet off the old R&B Hollywood label Christmas comp, Christmas Music For Young Lovers. Crackles and pops come with this one.

5) Christmas Present Blues, Jimmy Reed. For some reason, Jimmy included this rockin’ Christmas song on his album “As Jimmy Is” on the Roker label. I’m sure glad he did. This album, by the way, is one of my favorites right now. I thought it was going to be just another ghetto Jimmy Reed comp when I took it home, but it was recorded in the 70s at the tail end of Jimmy’s career. It’s awesome - funky as all get out.

6) Turn On Your Love Light, Bill Black’s Combo. This isn’t a Christmas song, but it sounds like it could be, and as it’s an instrumental, it doesn’t matter. It’s just such a great take on this song and it fit so well I decided to include it. Besides, Santa don’t play by no rules.

7) Silent Night, Pablo Black. This is off my Reggae Christmas record, my favorite Christmas album. I had to include a song off it, and the tempo of this is prefect after the last one. “Heavenly hosts sing hallelu-JAH!”

8) Little Drummer Boy, Lennox Avenue. We sold a copy of this a while ago, and Justin dubbed it a slow-burning Christmas classic. Funkiest version of this song I’ve ever heard. Even better with headphones.

9) Go Where I Send Thee, Kenny Burrell. Detroit jazz guitarist Burrell truly lays it down on this one. It wakes you up from the Drummer Boy trance and gets you movin’ and shakin’ your pants.

10) Boogie Woogie Santa, Mabei Scott. Early 50s rhythm and blues song with a wailing sax. Mabei shouts “He’s got the presents for your tree, candy for your socks, but when he starts to boogie the whole world stops! Mama get your hat, put your best dress on, we’re gonna gonna really jump for joy on a Christmas morn, with a boogie woogie Santa Claus!”

11) Please Come Home For Christmas, Charles Brown. Is there a better Christmas blues song than this? Another rule I might break is including this song on the mix every year. Flip side of the King 45 from track 1.

12) Jingle Bell Hop, Jackson Trio. More bells, pops, and hisses from this dusty recording that has the whole room swinging and dancing.

Thanks again to our friends who gave me the idea. I had a lot of fun making this and I can’t wait to pass it out.