VA - Mr. Santa's Boogie: Santa's Secret (1985)

An outstanding compilation, it features the original R&B version of "White Christmas" from The Ravens in 1948, predating The Drifters' version by six years. Backed by the Johnny Otis band, Little Esther Phillips's "Far Away Christmas Blues" (in a duet with Mel Walker) is slow and steamy while Debbie Dabney's teen-angster "I Want to Spend Christmas with Elvis" is a humorous spoof on the King. Plus blues from "Gatemouth" Moore, novelty from A.B. Green, a transcendent "Silent Night" from Big Maybelle, Charlie Parker's live performance from the Royal Roost on Christmas Day, 1948, of "White Christmas" and more make Mr. Santa's Boogie a must-have.