“O Little Town Of Bethlehem”

By Sister Rosetta Tharpe

It is once again THAT time of year when anybody and everybody with a recording deal releases a damn Christmas album.  The one that Bob Dylan recently dropped on us is simply too painful to listen to, and you know it’s just a matter of time until Adam Lambert issues a CD telling us where he wants you to cram your Yule log . . .

Fortunately, there are/were some artists who can still manage to sing traditional Christmas songs with something like style, grace, credibility, and perhaps most importantly, sincerity.  Hence, we will be looking at Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s rendering of “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” both for the pure listening pleasure of it, and hopefully as a reminder to others in the recording industry that all the lush strings arrangements and studio tricks in the world can’t hide a lack of soul . . .

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Sister Rosetta has been cited by everybody from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Isaac Hayes, and Aretha Franklin as having influenced them and it is reported that she was Johnny Cash’s favorite singer.  Do yourself a huge favor and Google her name, and then take some time and read her biographical information.  It might help you forget that crap like American Idol and Barry Manilow even exist . . . (I knew a musician that was in Barry’s touring band for years until he simply couldn’t take it anymore.  And the band’s behind-his-back nickname for Barry?  “Barely Man-enough . . . .”)

Below is a link to a You Tube video of Sister Rosetta doing “Down By The Riverside” that is required viewing.  Watch any related videos featuring The Good Sister that show up on You Tube.  I can assure you that whatever is happening in your life, you WILL feel better afterwards . . .

Merry Christmas Bonus Track:  “Christmas Island” is the title track from Leon Redbone’s 1988 release, which happens to be my favorite Christmas album of all time.  This track features Cindy Cashdollar on dobro . . .  Enjoy . . .

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