There’s no shortage of blues Christmas CDs on the market today, but Blues, Mistletoe & Santa’s Little Helper is one of my favorites. Released just last year by Black Top, it features 15 yule-flavored tunes by various artists from the New Orleans-based label.

It’s worth the moolah alone just for Bobby Parker’s “Sandy Claw Stole My Woman,” one that’s destined to become a holiday classic. And who can resist hearing Sam Myers, backed by Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, singing “Young Girls Drive Me Wild (At Christmas).” Lynn August contributes a nice zydeco number called “Christmas By The Bar-B-Que.” Any new recording by New Orleans’ coolest cat, Earl King, is a welcome addition regardless of the time of year, and Mr. K doesn’t disappoint with the lowdown blues “Santa, Don’t Let Me Down.”

The guys out there will want to buy the CD just for the pictures of the young lady dressed in a skimpy elf’s outfit and black fishnet hose. Ooh la la! But while you’re drooling over the pictures, everyone will be able to enjoy some of the best music to be heard during the holiday season.