Artist:Louis Armstrong and the Commanders
Song:Cool Yule
Album:Have Yourself a Swingin' Little Christmas
Here's a song that has gotten a lot of radio airplay in recent holiday seasons for it's retro swing vibe. It's become popular enough that Universal has produced a lyric video. But in 1953, it was on a B side of the Louis Armstrong single Zat You, Santa Claus. Armstrong never recorded a Christmas album. But he recorded enough Christmas songs that Universal has issued a couple of Christmas comps. I prefer this various artists comp from Bear Family mostly because it's over an hour long. Cool Yule was recorded when Armstrong revived his career in the late 40s with Louis Armstrong and his All Stars featuring Jack Teagarden on vocals and trombone. Cool Yule was recorded at the end of his Decca contract in 1953. After that, Armstrong would freelance for a few years. Cool Yule was written by Steve Allen who of course was best known as a comedian and original host of The Tonight Show. But he was also a jazz pianist and songwriter. The Commanders were a big band led by veteran bandleader Tutti Camarata and veteran drummer Eddie Grady. They recorded three albums for Decca in the mid 50s. They recorded the 1953 single Zat You, Santa Claus with Cool Yule on the B side. Both songs have become popular in recent years because they still sound fresh. Both songs appear on this Bear Family various artists comp. Others on the album include Glenn Miller, The Ames Brothers, The Mills Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, The Andrews Sisters, Fats Waller, Louis Prima, Peggy Lee and Lionel Hampton. Universal has released a couple of Louis Armstrong Christmas comps. But I like this one because it's longer and reasonably priced. Here's the lyric video for Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong and the Commanders.
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