Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours - Blue Christmas (1964)

Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadours
Blue Christmas (1964, Decca)

"Ernest Tubb is easily one of the greatest country singers of all time and this here record is easily one of my favourite Christmas albums of all ding-dang time! If you're not into country, well that's a big 'ol whopper of a shame but that's OK. It's not too late for you. Get this sweet sweet baby, with my personal favourite version of Christmas Island (I'm sorry Leon!), and dig in deep! Hopefully you won't be disappointed. Regardless, happy holidays to everyone, xoxoxoxo. I love you." - DD

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Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night (Songs for Christmas) (1962)

Mahalia Jackson
Silent Night (Songs for Christmas) (1962, Columbia)

"God bless us, everyone! Am I right?! Well, I'm not much for gods and churches and all that, but here we have some gorgeous hymns and Christmas ditties from one powerhouse of a singer. Belt it to the back, Miss Jackson! I love the electric organ sound on this, so warm and fuzzy and mellllooowwww. Crank the jams and bust it! Christmas! Christmas!" - DD

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Vicky Chow / Tristan Perich - Surface Image (2014)

Vicky Chow / Tristan Perich
Surface Image (2014, New Amsterdam Records)

"What to say of Surface Image but that I enjoy it? I've not dug too deep into the well here re: technical narratives or lineage but for the past few years when it's been on I've sunk instantly into it's vivid landscape. It's simple and pretty and dark and intricately awkward and rich in philosophy, which is hilarious to read back, sure, but absolutely no less true in a particularly dense and present sort of way. A single minimalist/maximalist solo-piano and 40-­channel 1­-bit electronics piece of masterly trickonometry spanning just more than an hour. Give it a try if it sounds curious and hopefully enjoy it you dingle-berries and sadists, you. Lovely day ta-ta!" - DD

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