88.1 KDHX Saint Louis

Alright, welcome to the annual M2M Christmas and holiday music extravaganza. Let the Yuletide musical merriment begin! Live 1953 recording of the Christmas standard penned by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith.

Not exactly well-known, this was written by the great Cy Coleman and Floyd Huddleston (he write the music for "The Aristocrats") and was only found as a demo after Cy Coleman's death, How Jon Rauhouse found out about it, I don't know but it's a really cool song and Rachel Flotard provides the lead vocals.

Music bed. The jazz pianist recorded this instrumental version of the traditional Christmas song in 1995.

Lou Rawls could make any song sound hip. Composed by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots. "Don't blow it, better be good, now."

Written by Bobby Troup of "Route 66" fame and recorded in 1957. One of the sexiest Christmas songs ever and the backing vocals are so great.

Music bed. Ah, nice instrumental mash-up by the jazz guitarist of "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited with "Frosty The Snowman."

Written by Mickey Stevenson and Kim Weston and recorded in 1962. She was only 22 at the time she recorded this. Pretty great.

This is the only original song on this album otherwise made up of traditional Christmas songs but what an original it is! Written by Smokey Robinson.

Previously unreleased live version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein composition recorded at the Copacabana in New York on May 20, 1967.

This endearing and enduring closing track was written by Anna Gordy Gaye, George Gordy, and Allen Story and features a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder.

Music bed. Instrumental version of the Beach Boys composition by Brian Wilson and Mike Love.

This excellent Christmas album leads off with this traditional gospel song and references the Staple Singers. Ann McCrary and Regina McCrary sing lead on this one. Highly recommended.

Traditional gospel song with additional lyrics and music by James Brown and Nat Jones. Recorded in 1966 for the King label. One of his greatest vocals.

Written by Sharon Jones and Bosco Mann and featuring Saun & Starr on backing vocals.

Adaptation of the Laura Nyro song "Stoned Soul Picnic" with new Christmas lyrics by Binky Griptite of the Dap-Kings.

Music bed. Instrumental composition by Herman Clebanoff, Caesar Giovannini, and Wayne Robinson.

Originally released in 1960 as a single b-side (the a-side was called "A Little Mouse Called Steve - go figure) on the Promo label. Co-written by Phil Medley (he also co-wrote "Twist & Shout") and Vic Abrams about the happiest place on earth.

I just can't say it any better than what I've written in the past. Androgynous lead vocal, the b-side to a single that has an ode to an elf called "Phroomf" on the a-side, penned by the immortal Frank Serritella, and featuring Mike Simpson & His Orchestra - if only all Christmas songs could be like this.

This was my favorite Christmas album put out in 2017. This has received quite a bit of airplay but no KDHX DJs have played this instrumental version of the Brenda Lee and Bobby Helms hit written by Johnny Marks. He recorded this as a tribute to Hank Garland who played the guitar on both "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Jingle Bell Rock."

Written by Margaret Ann Rich and recorded circa 1965.

Beautiful song written by St. Louis singer-songwriter Jenny Kavanaugh in 2012 and found on this six-song EP.

This new Christmas offering includes four brand new tracks, two re-imagined tunes and four songs from her original 2009 "Cold Dark Night" EP. Highly recommended.

Jens Lekman and Annika Norlin (of Hello Saferide fame) alternate songs on this album. This is one of hers. Really powerful and beautiful. It would make a great companion piece to "Christmas in the Trenches" by John McCutcheon.

Music bed. Instrumental from the first Christmas-themed collection by Japanese jazz singer Akiko.

The Empty Hearts are made up of Clem Burke of Blondie, Eliot Easton of The Cars, Wally Palmar of The Romantics, and Andy Babiuk of The Chesterfield Kings. This new single was written by Andy Babiuk, Clem Burke, Elliot Easton, Wally Palmar, and Steven Van Zandt and features backing vocals by Vicki Peterson and Debbi Peterson.

New 3-song EP by the band out of Cardiff, Wales. Written and sung by Liz Hunt.

Title track written by This track was co-written by Lisa Mychols and Darian Sahanaja.(of the Wondermints). Not easy to find but so well worth seeking out!

1950 song written by Billy May and Alan Livingston. How low can he go? Lead vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft (of Tony the Tiger and the Grinch fame).

This has not been played on KDHX since 2016 . That's just wrong. 1969 Chess recording made by the Philadelphia female soul quartet.

George Jones & The Jones Boys originally released this as a single a-side on the United Artists label in 1962.

Single a-side written by Dallas Frazier and E. Montgomery and released on the Epic label.

Written by Thelma Blackmon and recorded in 1953.

The Davis Sisters were made up of Skeeter Davis and Betty Jack Davis but they were not related. Originally released as a 1953 single b-side on the RCA Victor label.

Music bed. Instrumental version of the Bill Hayes / Jay Johnson composition.

From his new holiday album made up entirely of originals.

The greatness of this one can't be denied. 1966 James Brown-influenced Cameo recording written by Bob Seger, Dan Honaker, and Carl Lagassa. "Come on Comet, come on Cupid, don't just stand there looking stupid."

Written by Detroit Junior and released in 1960 as a single b-side on the Foxy label. "I want you to turn up your hi-fi... turn it up loud!"

As good as Christmas music gets. Written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich, and Jeff Barry, produced by Phil Spector, arranged by Jack Nitzsche, and featuring the majestic vocals of Darlene Love.

The perfect album to close out the year. All of the songs were written by Arnold Miller and Connie Pearce Miller. Arranged and conducted by Pete Rugalo.