Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everybody! It's been a fun year both making music and enjoying this community. Here’s a quick little Christmas ditty we just recorded.

At The Christmas Ball

Originally recorded by Bessie Smith 90 years ago and attributed to Fred Longshaw (and others) there is, unfortunately, no bio and scant other information regarding Mr. Longshaw on the net. Given the stature of the folks he played with it’s a shame more is not known about him. Many sites have the tune available for free download and archive.net lists it under a Creative Commons license allowing public use.

Having listened to these early blues folks for years we suspect there’s perhaps a bit more to the lyric than immediately meets the ear :-)

Thanks for listening!!

J&B

Janice: vocal
Bass: 2425 rockabilly slap sw
Drums: blues rock 12-8
Guitar: 1981 EZ listening sw
Piano: 2368 blues solo-accompaniment 12-8 (comped)
Bud: production stuff

At The Christmas Ball

(Trad Arr: Janice & Bud Merritt)

Christmas comes but once a year, and to me it brings good cheer
And to everyone who likes wine and beer
Happy New Year is after that, happy I'll be, that is a fact
That is why I love to hear folks who say that Christmas time is here

Christmas bells will ring real soon, even in the afternoon
Them big ole chimes will ring at the Christmas Ball
Everyone must watch their step, or they will lose their rep
Everybody’s full of pep at the Christmas Ball

Grab your partner one an' all, keep on dancing 'round the hall
Then there's no one to fall, don't you dare to strut
If your partner don't act fair, don't worry there's some more over there
Seekin' a chance everywhere at the Christmas Ball

Yes, seekin’ a chance everywhere at the Christmas Ball

Hi J & B.

What a treat! Super backing and arrangement.

Janice, you couldn't have given me a better Christmas present than that vocal.

Merry Christmas to you both.

ROG.

You guys turn out one treat after another. We know when we click onto one of your songs, there will be no disappointment. The mix and performance are both top shelf! Wonderful rendition!

We still think of Susan Tedeschi when we hear Janice singing blues.

GREAT STUFF!!!!

Merry Christmas to you guys, too...

Alan & Di

A fun listen and superb production. Enjoyed it from start to finish.

Hi J&B Nice arrangement well done

Janice & Bud
Another lovely production - superb vocals - great song. As Bud said you nailed it!

That makes it all worth while ROG, Thanks!

J&B

Well done, you two. Merry Christmas!


Regards,

Bob

Hi J & B,

After having heard this one we're in the mood and ready for Christmas once more.
We'll make sure to play this one at our Christmas breakfast

Another great performance from you guys! Vocals are stellar and I like what you chose for your band. Bessie Smith is an icon here at Chattanooga having been born here. They have a museum dedicated to her and every year during the Riverbend Festival they have a Bessie Smith strut. I enjoyed everything that you guys did with this song.
Sonny

Hi Janice & Bud,

I'm with Charlie: fun listen and superb production. Enjoyed it from start to finish.
Merry Christmas.

Guenter

Thanks you two for listening and commenting. We always enjoy hearing from you!

J&B

J&B, Once again you have pulled a gem from the archives. I want to comment on a few spots in the vocal that showcase the wonderful natural abilities of Janice's vocal stylings. At :52 and 1:04 there are some really smooooth slides.At 1:09 there is an arpeggiated run down that requires great skill to pull off and I am sure Janice walks around the house or out in the woods singing these complex phrases like they were nothing. There is also some nice gymnastics at 1:37. I just sit back and listen to a great mix ( the bass sounds especially good) and just keep going Whoa! Merry Christmas to the both of you! Tom

Very cool. Loved it. Nice to hear some non traditional Christmas songs

Thanks y'all!!

J&B

Sweet vibe! And great vocal movement!

This is really fun!!!

Thanks y'all. Your time to listen and comment is much appreciated!

J&B


l
Cool it helped get the Christmas thing going! Thanks.

J&B

Originally recorded by Bessie Smith in 1925........I'm sure Bessie had nothing on Janice!! She nailed the vocal!! Cool song, wonderful arrangement, and magnificent mix. Awesome all the way around!! Merry XMAS!! Greg

That IS as good as it gets.

The girl is a star!

The production and mix were perfect.

Y'all need to do a whole Christmas CD of stuff like this.

LOVE the ending!

Merry Christmas!

fj

Thanks Sonny. We've listened to Bessie Smith for decades off and on but had never heard this one until recently when I was looking around for an old Christmas blues to record. Last year we did another one called the Christmas Eve blues and it was a lot of fun also.

Hi Janice and Bud,

Everything about this sits perfectly. Bud's mix couldn't get any better. It was a pleasure to sit back, close my eyes and drift along on Janice's enchanting vocals... a wonderful journey.

Happy Christmas to you both!
Noel

Thank you Guenter and Merry Christmas to you!

Tom, that's very nice of you to notice and comment on Janice's phrasing. She sings 'em like they feel. Thanks also for mentioning the mix and ALL the advice and counsel you've given me about mixing. It means a lot.

Bud



Thanks! It's fun to find an old gem like this. Glad you liked it.

Bud

Great song as usual.

Nice background and well sung song.

I like the picture you used too. Very funny.

Merry Christmas

Sergio

Thanks y'all. We're glad it worked for you!

J&B

Thanks a bunch Greg. We always enjoy your comments and are glad that you liked the production!

J&B




You know how to put a BIG smile on Janice's face!!!!

Bud

Hi, Janice & Bud !

This is just wonderful !

MC & a Happy New Year to you too !!!:))

Cheers
Dani

We most appreciate that Noel...have a great New Year!

J&B

Thanks Sergio for your support throughout the year. . Have a great New Year!



Thanks Dani. We hope you and yours have a wonderful New Year!

J&B