Christmas Jollies is the third album released by the Salsoul Orchestra and their first Christmas album. It was recorded and released on Salsoul Records in November 1976. The album includes a few new Christmas tunes, co-written by Vincent Montana Jr. entitled, "There's Someone Who's Knocking" with the children's chorus singing, "Merry Christmas All" with his daughter, Denise Montana, singing the lead and "Christmas Time" with the sweet honeyed-voices of the session girl-group, The Sweethearts of Sigma, that features group members Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton and Carla Benson. This highly successful album also includes disco renditions of "The Little Drummer Boy", "Sleigh Ride" and so on, plus the orchestrated instrumental version of "Silent Night". Side two is semi-instrumental with two different medleys, such as "Christmas Medley" with the family chorus singing and "New Year's Medley" with The Salsoul Singers singing in the background. Christmas Jollies went on to become one of the best-selling holiday albums of 1976 and 1977.
Track listing
Notes Contains renditions of "Joy to the World", "Deck the Halls", "O Holy Night", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", "Jingle Bells", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", "The Christmas Song", "White Christmas", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Winter Wonderland", "The First Noel" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" Contains renditions of "Auld Lang Syne", "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover", "Alabama Jubilee", "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers" and "God Bless America"
Personnel Keyboards - Carlton Kent Bass - Gordon Edwards Drums - Earl Young Congas - Larry Washington, Osvaldo Martinez Alto Saxophone - John Bonnie on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "There's Someone Who's Knocking" Trumpet Solos by Evan Solot on "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" Guitars - Ronnie James, Norman Harris Banjo - Ronnie James Strings & Horns - Don Renaldo and His Little Helpers Tuba - Eddie Moore Vibes, Chimes, Marimba, Timpani, Percussion, Bells, Producer - Vincent Montana, Jr. Vocals - The Sweethearts of Sigma: Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson (tracks A1, A2 and A5)
References
External links
https://thesalsoulorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-jollies