Funky Christmas Songs?

Norwegianwood · #1 12-14-2004, 07:22 AM

Hi
Right now I'm arranging a Christmas - medley for my bands upcoming concert. I wonder if you guys know any funky/jazzy uptempo christmas songs. Or atleast songs that could be made funky

I think there's a link to a video with my band in my signature.
Thanks!

JimK · #2 12-14-2004, 08:44 AM

I keep hearing this one on our Xmas Oldies station-

"Up On The Housetop"-Jackson 5
Go ahead & laff...it's a cooker from 1970. The bass is in the style of "ABC" & then some.

NJL · #3 12-14-2004, 08:58 AM

how about that arrangement that Donny Hathaway did? "merry christmas" i think....i had to play this one year....we added our own grease to it, but it has some nice little changes in there....

DaveBeny · #4 12-14-2004, 09:44 AM

I have seen a CD around by James Brown: 'A Funky Christmas' (or something along those lines) - might be the sort of thing you're looking for.

outrage · #5 12-14-2004, 09:57 AM

It's pretty cheesy but 'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses has the BEST bassline. All depends if you have a female vocalist though.

mr e · #6 12-14-2004, 10:03 AM

RUN DMC
'Christmas in Hollis'

JimK · #7 12-14-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

how about that arrangement that Donny Hathaway did? "merry christmas" i think....i had to play this one year....we added our own grease to it, but it has some nice little changes in there....

Donny Hathaway did write & perform a tune called "This Christmas". Great R&B Christmas tune; nice electric piano solo by Hathaway, too!

JimK · #8 12-14-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outrage

It's pretty cheesy but 'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses has the BEST bassline. All depends if you have a female vocalist though.

I dig it!

uglycicles · #9 12-14-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I dig it!

+2 - the Waitresses' bass player is smokin'. Good song.

bino · #10 12-14-2004, 12:40 PM

I've got a Motown Christmas cd with the Tempations doing a funky version of Rudolph.

Mel Monihan · #11 12-14-2004, 12:57 PM

Well I don't know if you would call it funky, but I heard Aaron Neville doing "Let it Snow, Let it Snow,Let it Snow" yesterday and it had one of the best walk basslines on it that I have heard.If that qualifies as funky, then it is.

Woodchuck · #12 12-14-2004, 01:12 PM

"Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow
"Dana Dane is Coming to Town" by Dana Dane (Insanely funky!)
Another vote for "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway
"Gee Whiz, It's Christmas" by Carla Thomas (Rufus' lil' girl!)

Aaron J · #13 12-14-2004, 01:42 PM

another vote for James Brown's "A Funky Christmas", I think that is the actual name, but I could be wrong

Norwegianwood · #14 12-14-2004, 02:01 PM

Thanks alot, guys. Yeah, we have a female singer.
This is an old video of us:
http://www.aporia.no/filer/Hiptobe-low.wmv

I've heard the James Brown cd, and I think it's perhaps a little bit too funky

I have already chosen: This Christmas (great tune!), some of the motown stuff, one jackson five song. And, belieave it or not: I'm going to use hillary duffs version of "sleigh ride" (or atleast an arrangment of it. )

And I'll definately check out your suggestions.