Where does the time go leading up to Christmas? It is already day 3 of Mayhem’s 12 Days Of Christmas This year, once again, the theme is the classic cumulative song “The Twelve Days Of Christmas”. What gift was presented on the third day of Christmas? It was of course Three French Hens. Todays song is yet another tenuously linked tune, “Chicken” by Maceo Parker.
This instrumental track was composed by jazz saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis a one time member of James Brown’s band. The tune was originally entitled “The Chicken” and it first appeared as the B Side to James Browns 1969 single “The Popcorn”. It has been recorded by many giants of jazz, including Jaco Pastorius, and became a jazz funk standard. The version I have included for Mayhem’s 12 Days of Christmas is by Maceo Parker and is taken from his 1991 album ‘Mo’ Roots’. Parker also played in James Brown’s band in the 60s, 70s and again in the 80s. He went on to work with Parliament/ Funkadelic in the 1970s and Prince in the 2000s. He has worked on collaborations with Candy Dulfer and De La Soul. He also had a hit in 1973 with “Parrty – Part I” under the name Maceo and the Macks. He has worked with artists as diverse as Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bryan Ferry, Keith Richards and 10,000 Maniacs to name just a few.
There will be a playlist of all twelve songs when we get to the final one? What do you think tomorrows song will be?
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linkedin, and EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 