Chess Records has announced new additions to their 75th Anniversary release lineup. Two new compilation albums, The Chess Records Christmas Album and Let's Play Chess: A Chess Record Anthology, will be released on November 14.
The Chess Records Christmas Album gathers holiday classics and hidden gems from the legendary Chicago label. Highlights include Chuck Berry's yuletide staples "Run Rudolph Run" and "Merry Christmas Baby," the joyful harmonies of The Moonglows' "Hey Santa Claus," the jazz brilliance of Ramsey Lewis and Kenny Burrell, plus new-to-digital rarities from The Soul Stirrers, The Salem Travelers, Lenox Avenue, and The Meditation Singers.
From gospel to soul to electric blues, The Chess Records Christmas Album is a welcome alternative to the usual jingled bells and decked halls. The LP is pressed on Blue Frost vinyl and can be pre-ordered here.
Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology was specially curated by Grammy-winning producer and drummer, Steve Jordan. The set offers 25 of the label's best and most thrilling recordings.
From Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to Bo Diddley and Etta James, the anthology showcases the legendary songs that still influence popular culture. Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology is available to pre-order here.
The Chess Records Christmas Album Tracklist:
1. Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run
2. The Moonglows - Hey Santa Claus
3. Sonny Boy Williamson - Santa Claus
4. Chuck Berry - Merry Christmas Baby
5. The Meditation Singers - Blue Christmas
6. The Gems - Love for Christmas
7. The Soul Stirrers - Christmas Means Love
8. Ramsey Lewis Trio - Christmas Blues
9. The Soulful Strings - Snowfall
10. Rotary Connection - Christmas Love
11. Chuck Berry - Christmas
12. Lenox Avenue - Little Drummer Boy
13. The Salem Travelers - Merry Christmas to You
14. Kenny Burrell - Silent Night
Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology Tracklist:
Disc 1 - Side A
1. Muddy Waters - (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man
2. Little Walter - Juke
3. Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin'
4. Chuck Berry - Maybellene
5. Lowell Fulson - Reconsider Baby
6. Etta James - At Last
7. The Moonglows - Sincerely
Disc 1 - Side B
1. Ramsey Lewis Trio - The "In" Crowd
2. Fontella Bass - Rescue Me
3. Tommy Tucker - High Heel Sneakers
4. Buddy Guy - First Time I Met the Blues
5. Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats - Rocket 88
6. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
Disc 2 - Side A
1. John Lee Hooker - Ground Hog Blues
2. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
3. Billy Stewart - I Do Love You
4. The Dells - Stay in My Corner
5. Etta James - All the Way Down
Disc 2 - Side B
1. Little Walter - Crazy Mixed Up World
2. Muddy Waters - Rollin' Stone
3. Otis Rush - So Many Roads, So Many Trains
4. Sonny Boy Williamson - Don't Start Me To Talkin'
5. Jimmy Rogers - That's All Right
6. Howlin' Wolf - Spoonful
7. Gene Ammons - My Foolish Heart
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