Jackie Wilson – Merry Christmas From Jackie Wilson (ORG Music)

Solid collection of traditional holiday favorites sung by a legend

Jackie Wilson was at the top of his game in 1963.  Earlier in the year, he scored one of his biggest hits in the energetic, “Baby Workout.”  He followed that success with Merry Christmas from Jackie Wilson, released in November of that year.  

The man dubbed “Mr. Excitement” plays it rather straight on the dozen tracks included here.  All traditional songs, and all given reverential treatment with Wilson’s fantastic, soaring voice.  While there’s nothing as shocking as Elvis Presley’s reworking of “Blue Christmas,” the delights are in the subtle way that Wilson injects his personality to each song.  

Take, for example, the opening track, “Silent Night,” where Wilson sings behind the beat and stretches the notes for effect, backed by bells and a choir.  “White Christmas” is even slower than Bing Crosby’s original, and the orchestral backing is gorgeous.  “O Holy Night” is one of the most difficult Christmas songs to sing, and Wilson goes at it deep throated and nails it.

“The First Noel” features a spoken part by Wilson, while he has fun with the “fa la la las” on “Deck the Halls.”

He gives “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” a surprising, upbeat arrangement – it’s one of the best of the set.  

Too many holiday albums fail because they just lack inspiration.  This collection succeeds because Wilson is fully engaged throughout.  If you’re looking for a holiday record sung by one of the greatest vocalists of all time, look no further than Merry Christmas From Jackie Wilson.  —Tony Peters