Other people’s songs: The Christmas Blues

Other people’s songs: Performances by Dylan of traditional songs, and those written by others with explorations of their origins.

Songs and opening comments by Aaron Galbraith in the USA, subsequent commentary by Tony Attwood currently moving between England and Australia.

Aaron: The song The Christmas Blues was written by Sammy Cahn and David Holt and was first released by Dean Martin in 1953.

Beatriz Ritter writing for the Old Time Music website tells us…

“The song opens with a reflective tone and candidly addresses the feelings of loneliness and longing that can accompany the holiday season. It acknowledges that while this time of year is traditionally associated with warmth, joy, and togetherness, it can also evoke a sense of melancholy for those who find themselves reminiscing about past memories or longing for someone dear who is no longer present. Martin’s velvety smooth vocals exude a sense of vulnerability, allowing listeners to emotionally connect and empathize with the sentiment expressed in the song.

“As the lyrics unfold, Martin skillfully captures the essence of the “Christmas blues,” articulating the deep yearning for love and connection during a time that is supposed to be filled with happiness and cheer. The longing for companionship and the desire to be close to loved ones is palpable throughout the track. While the title may suggest a purely sad tune, Martin manages to imbue the song with a sense of hope and optimism, subtly encouraging listeners to hold onto the belief that love and togetherness will ultimately prevail.”

Tony: He does indeed have an exquisite voice, and the arrangement is beautifully done, in the style that Dean Martin always sings in.   In fact with arrangements like this I find myself ignoring the lyrics and just going along with the music and the overall sound.   I can imagine a slow dance where the couple hold each other tight and just shuffle around the floor – forgetting totally that this is about the Christmas blues, and instead expressing their feelings for each other.  It’s a strange contradiction in that image, but that doesn’t distract from its beauty.

Aaron: Bob’s version comes from the 2009 album Christmas in the Heart

Tony: Bob does the gruff old man voice for the verse, except then he drops it for the title line.   And I must say I really don’t know about this.   I mean if it wasn’t Bob would you listen to the track?   Would anyone listen?  Perhaps you would; I think I wouldn’t.

But I must admit I’ve always had a problem with this album, and most of the time if I want to hear any of the Christmas songs of this type, I don’t choose Bob’s version.

And that gruff, rough voice that he has here – I really do think it is put on, because by the end of the track it has vanished.   And if I am right about that, that it is “put on” then why?

Aaron: Here is one more version from 2017 by Crissi Cochrane , at three months pregnant

Tony:  And again I have a problem with the arranger – why put in the jingle bells at the start?   It is so so obvious.   We know from the name of the song what it is about – to me it is treating the listener with contempt; as if we don’t realise what the song is about if they don’t put the jingle bells in there.

But aside from that, this is a beautiful version – the notion of the simple guitar against that beautifully controlled and expressive voice, really works.  Maybe the solo guitar verse pushes it a bit far – again I suspect a musical director insisted “we have to have a musical verse” when in fact we don’t, because the essence of everything is that gorgeous voice.

Yet this is lovely, despite the sadness of the lyrics.   And the sudden unexpected cheers at the end – totally deserved.  That’s one for me to listen to again.

Meanwhile here are the previous editions…

1. Other people’s songs. How Dylan covers the work of other composers
2. Other People’s songs: Bob and others perform “Froggie went a courtin”
3. Other people’s songs: They killed him
4. Other people’s songs: Frankie & Albert
5. Other people’s songs: Tomorrow Night where the music is always everything
6. Other people’s songs: from Stack a Lee to Stagger Lee and Hugh Laurie
7. Other people’s songs: Love Henry
8. Other people’s songs: Rank Stranger To Me
9. Other people’s songs: Man of Constant Sorrow
10. Other people’s songs: Satisfied Mind
11. Other people’s songs: See that my grave is kept clean
12. Other people’s songs: Precious moments and some extras
13. Other people’s songs: You go to my head
14. Other people’s songs: What’ll I do?
15. Other people’s songs: Copper Kettle
16. Other people’s songs: Belle Isle
17. Other people’s songs: Fixing to Die
18. Other people’s songs: When did you leave heaven?
19. Other people’s songs: Sally Sue Brown
20. Other people’s songs: Ninety miles an hour down a dead end street
21. Other people’s songs: Step it up and Go
22. Other people’s songs: Canadee-I-O
23. Other people’s songs: Arthur McBride
24. Other people’s songs: Little Sadie
25. Other people’s songs: Blue Moon, and North London Forever
26. Other people’s songs: Hard times come again no more
27. Other people’s songs: You’re no good
28. Other people’s songs: Lone Pilgrim (and more Crooked Still)
29. Other people’s songs: Blood in my eyes
30. Other people’s songs: I forgot more than you’ll ever know
31.  Other people’s songs: Let’s stick (or maybe work) together.
32. Other people’s songs: Highway 51
33. Other people’s songs: Jim Jones
34. Other people’s songs: Let’s stick (or maybe work) together.
35. Other people’s songs: Jim Jones
36. Other people’s songs: Highway 51 Blues
37. Other people’s songs: Freight Train Blues
38. Other People’s Songs: The Little Drummer Boy
39. Other People’s Songs: Must be Santa
40. Other People’s songs: The Christmas Song
41. Other People’s songs: Corina Corina
42. Other People’s Songs: Mr Bojangles
43. Other People’s Songs: It hurts me too
44. Other people’s songs: Take a message to Mary
45. Other people’s songs: House of the Rising Sun
46. Other people’s songs: “Days of 49”
47. Other people’s songs: In my time of dying
48. Other people’s songs: Pretty Peggy O
49. Other people’s songs: Baby Let me Follow You Down
50. Other people’s songs: Gospel Plow
51. Other People’s Songs: Melancholy Mood
52. Other people’s songs: The Boxer and Big Yellow Taxi
53. Other people’s songs: Early morning rain
54. Other people’s Songs: Gotta Travel On
55. Other people’s songs: “Can’t help falling in love”
56. Other people’s songs: Lily of the West
57. Other people’s songs: Alberta
58. Other people’s songs: Little Maggie
59. Other people’s songs: Sitting on top of the world
60. Dylan’s take on “Let it be me”
61. Other people’s songs: From “Take me as I am” all the way to “Baker Street”
62. Other people’s songs: A fool such as I
63. Other people’s songs: Sarah Jane and the rhythmic changes
64. Other people’s songs: Spanish is the loving tongue. Author drawn to tears
65. Other people’s songs: The ballad of Ira Hayes
66. Other people’s songs: The usual
67. Other people’s songs: Blackjack Davey
68. Other people’s songs: You’re gonna quit me
69. Other people’s songs: You belong to me
70. Other people’s songs: Stardust
71. Other people’s songs: Diamond Joe
72. Other people’s songs: The Cuckoo
73. Other people’s songs: Come Rain or Come Shine
74. Other people’s songs: Two soldiers and an amazing discovery
75. Other people’s songs: Pretty Boy Floyd
76. Other people’s songs: My Blue Eyed Jane
77. That Old Black Magic (and a lot of laughs)
78. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground