So, originally, I was going to pick "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Recorded by Bruce for a Sesame Street album, after which Springsteen threw the song into his live shows whenever they played around Christmas. One version, of the live shows, is great because it features a time when Springsteen starts laughing the middle of singing when his bandmate, Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons starts a very low and convincing rise of "Ho ho ho!" during one of the interludes. I always dug that Springsteen was having such a great time he just couldn't contain it and had to laugh.

While looking for this very specific version of the song I stumbled across a version of "Merry Christmas Baby", done by Bruce on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. It's a very awesome Rock N Roll song, a classic sounding Bruce song, but still holds the reason for the season well in hand. It also, holds special value because Max Weinberg, Conan's drummer, made his name as the drummer for Springsteen for years, before E-Street took a hiatus and Max needed a new gig, and that the horns sections of Conan's band are known around the musical world as "The Miami Horns", one of the most respected, and talented horn sections to ever get together and jam... and a frequent collaborator with Bruce and local muscians here in the area. So, it's just really great to see the whole band back together, jamming and having a good time. Not only does this video show how much fun Bruce and the Boys have, but how great of a show he puts on for his fans. There's also a fun joke in the middle for Max, as we get a visit from Kris Kringle himself.

I really hope you enjoy it, and remember to check back Christmas Day for a special bonus edition of Jam of the Week, with one of the prettiest Christmas songs ever written.

Happy Holidays dear readers. =-D

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