Speaking Of Neiman Marcus

Since that last post was a double album from Neiman Marcus, here's another double album from them as well. Only this time it's actual music, and it's pretty good stuff. However, I don't think this one sold very well either. Imagine yourself in the store at Christmas time and you see that plain white embossed cover on a rack. You pick it up to see what it is, flip it over, and guess what? The back is blanker than the front. And of course it's shrink-wrapped, so you can't open it up to see what might be in there. Perhaps there was a sticker on it that's been lost to time, but I still think was a hard sell back in the day. It's all original songs by a couple of artists no one has really ever heard of. The fourth side is a long instrumental suite of melodies from the original songs, I had to familiarize myself with the songs quite a few times before I could start to pick out the melodies in the suite. I just don't see a lot of shoppers being drawn to something like this when they could pick up a compilation with Nat, Bing and Dean on it at the music store next door. But as I mentioned, it's good stuff, though the production is a bit dated. Give it a listen, see if you like it. I found my copy in a record store in Atlanta many years ago, paid a little too much for it, but you grab something when you see it, especially if you've never seen it before. I've since found another copy that was much cheaper, but that was years after that first one. This is Zimmers & Whitaker-Christmas Love (Neiman-Marcus 2xLP No Number, Stereo, 1980). Now I need to see if I can find Christmas releases from Neiman Marcus from 1978 and 1979 to complete the series.

1. Christmas Love
2. Joseph Was A Carpenter
3. Santa's Wish
4. A Christmas Memory
5. Near Bethlehem
6. Tonight We Trim The Tree
7. Sounds Of Christmas
8. Star Spangled Night
9. There Will Be Winter
10. The Two Trees
11. God Bless Us, Every One
12. Poor Little Day After Christmas
13. Little Babe, A Lyin' In A Manger
14. Thank You For Your Love
15. Rattle Those Packages
16. The King Of Glory
17. A Christmas Fantasia On Themes By Zimmers & Whitaker (Instrumental)

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Advent 2

As promised, I've got another Advent calendar you can start today. I remember finding this one not too long after Christmas last year, knowing it was something I'd be sharing this season. It's a double album in a fancy box with a fold-out calendar and storybook inside where you can follow along as you listen to the stories. It's a nice package and appears to have been available exclusively at Neiman-Marcus stores during the 1977 Christmas season. I suspect most kids didn't care too much about Advent calendars after they saw Star Wars that year, and this couldn't have been too popular. I've never seen another copy, but then I can't think of where there might be a Neiman Marcus store anywhere nearby. Mala Powers wrote and narrated all the vignettes here, she was a popular actress in the 50's and 60's, though to be honest I didn't recognize the name when I bought this. She does a nice job with the stories, some of which are originals, others are adapted from seasonal stories you may be familiar with. You get one a day all the way through Christmas Eve, but nothing for Christmas, sorry. This is Mala Powers-Follow The Star-A Christmas ADVENTure (RCA Special Products 2x12" 33 RPM DML2-0262 for Neiman-Marcus, Stereo, 1977). Enjoy!

1. Follow The Star (Star Window #1)
2. The Advent Wreath (Star Window #2)
3. The Legend Of The First Christmas Tree (Star Window #3)
4. Heart's Desire (Star Window #4)
5. From St. Nicholas To Santa Claus (Star Window #5)
6. The Little Blind Shepherd (Star Window #6)
7. A Candle For Mary (Star Window #7)
8. Christian In Secret (Star Window #8)
9. The Animals' Christmas (Star Window #9)
10. A Gift For Gramps (Star Window #10)
11. The Holy Night (Star Window #11)
12. Felix (Star Window #12)
13. Christmas Customs Around The World (Star Window #13)
14. The Third Lamb (Star Window #14)
15. The Christmas Rose (Star Window #15)
16. A Christmas Gift For The General (Star Window #16)
17. Piccola (Star Window #17)
18. How Santa Claus Found The Poor House (Star Window #18)
19. Gift Of The Earth (Star Window #19)
20. The Robin (Star Window #20)
21. Why The Chimes Rang (Star Window #21)
22. Adventure To Bethlehem (Star Window #22)
23. Don Pedro's Christmas (Star Window #23)
24. The Nativity (Star Window #24)

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Book Of Lists 2

Time for another one of my lists from Discogs, a seemingly random collection of records that actually have a theme. This time around the theme is Elvis, but there are no records by Elvis in the list. It's all Christmas records about The King, most of them coming out after his untimely passing lamenting his absence from the Christmas season. Some of them are good, some of them are not, but they can be something to hear. Good luck collecting them all! My favorite that I've shared is by a singing surgeon.

The List!

Advent 1

Today is the first of December, and that's the traditional day to begin an Advent calendar. Lucky for you, I've happened across a couple recorded calendars, and I'm happy to share them with you. This first one appears to be a promo sent to radio stations back in 1976. The station would play each recording on their respective day, culminating on the Christmas story itself on the big day. I recommend you do something similar when you listen to it, because listening to them all in a row is pretty boring since they all use the similar theme music. They are nice and short though. This is Derric Johnson's The Re'Generation-Christmas Is... (Impact CI-1176, Stereo, 1976). Enjoy!

1. December 1-Stars In The Window
2. December 2-The Organ Was Broken
3. December 3-The Stolen Statue
4. December 4-No Room
5. December 5-Missionary In A Manger
6. December 6-The Guest
7. December 7-For The Birds
8. December 8-Just One Star
9. December 9-Forgotten Father
10. December 10-Don't Forget
11. December 11-One Solitary Life
12. December 12-His Name
13. December 13-The Borrowed Manger
14. December 14-Just Shepherds
15. December 15-Mistaken Traditions
16. December 16-The Bully And The Baby
17. December 17-The Mother God Chose
18. December 18-The Fullness Of Time
19. December 19-Purpose
20. December 20-Shopping Daze
21. December 21-Go To See
22. December 22-True Wise Men
23. December 23-Becky
24. December 24-Christmas At My House
25. December 25-The Story

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Elvis Is Still The King

It's 2023, and Elvis Presley is still one of the biggest artists in the world. The Beatles released a new single this year and The Rolling Stones released a whole album, but the world is still fascinated with an artist who did it while the members of those groups were still in diapers. Unfortunately, this post isn't about Elvis, but about one of his many imitators, or tribute artists if you prefer. Hailing from 1986, nine years after Elvis' early death, this was only a hint of the force he would become in the music world inspiring many to try to imitate him, and thousands more who took some of his style and adapted it into their own. Since the Elvis biopic last year and the death of his daughter Lisa Marie at the beginning of this year, he's never been far from the headlines. I hope this Christmas LP by a tribute artist jokingly claiming to be Elvis' son will hold you over until you next get a chance to listen to an actual Elvis Christmas song. His first Christmas album is still the standard by which other Christmas albums are judged. This is Elvis Jr.-Christmas Blessings From Elvis Jr. (Son Records BS 003, Stereo, 1986). Oh, by the way, this is a remaster of an album I first shared back in 2011. Not only did I share it then, it was the lead-off share that year, an honor that's only bestowed on one album a year. (Seriously, how can two albums be 'first' in a season?)

1. Silent Night
2. Silver Bells
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Blue Christmas
5. Jingle Bells
6. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. Frosty The Snowman
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Amazing Grace
11. Peace In The Valley
12. White Christmas

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Bonus Bonus

Here's a bonus record that I almost forgot about. It's another record that seems to have been something you might have ordered from a magazine, or gotten free with a subscription. And wouldn't you know it, it's from the same people as that last record. It's almost as if I plan these things sometimes. This is another record where I had the mono version all recorded and ready to scan when I discovered a stereo copy in the archives. So I recorded that one and then when it came time to do the scanning, I skipped the mono version and went straight to the stereo copy. So you only get one version of this one today, but I'm sure there's nothing special about that mono copy. Still wish I knew more about this Christian Herld company that put out these records, but I'm lazy and Google is not my friend today. If you know anything more, please share. In the meantime, this is ...And Shalt Call His Name Jesus-The Story Of Christmas In Music And Scriptures (Capitol Custom For Christian Herald CHS 1001-LP, Stereo).

1. The Bison Glee Club-Gloria Fanfare
2. Unknown Narrator-Part 1
3. Lutheran Hour Choir-Gabriel's Message
4. Unknown Narrator-Part 2
5. Del Roper-O, Litttle Town Of Bethlehem
6. Unknown Narrator-Part 3
7. Paul Mickelson Choir-We Three Kings
8. Unknown Narrator-Part 4
9. Unknown Artist-Evening Star
10. Unknown Narrator-Part 5
11. Lutheran Hour Choir-As Lately We Watched
12. Unknown Narrator-Part 6
13. Frank Boggs-Birthday Of A King
14. Frank Boggs-Sweet Little Jesus Boy
15. Unknown Narrator-Part 7
16. Unknown Artist-On Wings Of Song
17. Unknown Narrator-Part 8
18. Frank Boggs-Prayer
19. Unknown Narrator-Part 9
20. Unknown Artist-Selection From Peer Gynt
21. Unknown Narrator-Part 10
22. Unknown Artist-Theme From The Cornish Rhapsody
23. Unknown Narrator-Part 11
24. Frank Boggs-Joy To The World

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Quiet, Two Quiet

It's still a ways until Christmas, so enjoy the relative quiet while it lasts. I'm sure that's not the quiet Christmas they were thinking of when they titled this LP, but that's what came to my mind when I decided to post it. They were probably thinking of those few hours on Christmas Eve when all the shopping and wrapping and decorating and general  prepping is done and you can sit down and just enjoy everything you've done without worrying about what needs done next. I know I'm looking forward to not having to make the next post. But that's a few weeks away. In the meantime, sit back, relax, and listen to The Quiet Of Christmas (Capitol Custom for Enrichment For Living CHM-1005, Mono). No artist on this one, I'm afraid. Seems to be tied to some magazine (Christian Herald, perhaps?) or something, probably something you got with a subscription or a Christmas gift you could order. Big fancy gatefold with colorful painting, so I can see this being a Christmas gift. There's not much gap between the tracks, so I'm making it available as a pair of uncut sidelong tracks, as well as each individual song in it's own track. Your choice, but choose wisely, no returns!

1. Silent Night (Instrumental)
2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
5. We Three Kings
6. What Child Is This?
7. The First Noel
8. Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head
9. O Come, All Ye Faithful
10. Silent Night (Vocal)

MEGA (Uncut Sides)

MEGA (Tracks)

Command Performance

In the column of daily remaster, today's entry is a Christmas album from the Command label. There was a classical Christmas release on the label, but as far as I have ever been able to determine, this was the only full Christmas LP they released on the popular side. Unfortunately, it came out after Enoch Light had sold the label to ABC, but it still features many of the label's heavy hitters, from Doc Severinsen to Dick Hyman, and most everybody in between. If you didn't get it when I first shared this in 2006, now is your chance. This new remaster is a far sight better than that old one, too. So don't hesitate, download today! This is Merry Christmas From The Command Family Of Recording Stars (Command RS 920 SD, Stereo, 1967).

1. William Steinberg Conducting The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra-Adeste Fidelis
2. The Ray Charles Singers-Christmas Is A Birthday
3. Bobby Byrne And His Orchestra-The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
4. Ashley Miller At The Paramount Theater Organ-The First Noel
5. The Robert DeCormier Singers-Mary's Little Boy Child
6. Toots Thielemans And His Orchestra-Jingle Bells
7. The Ray Charles Singers-Silent Night
8. Command's Guitars And Strings Featuring Al Casamenti-Sleigh Ride
9. Robert Maxwell-White Christmas
10. Doc Severinsen And His Orchestra-Joy To The World
11. Dick Hyman-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12. Virgil Fox, Organist, With Louise Natale, Soprano-O Holy Night

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17 or 23?

One of my most favorite discoveries this season is the record you see before you. It's the type of home-produced record that you hope to find. I'm not sure I can articulate why I like it, but I do. The singing is OK, but not great. The songs are mostly originals, but not particularly memorable. Production is dodgy and the record was pretty noisy on top of that. But it's got heart. When you listen to this, you know that these kids meant what they were singing about, and they were enjoying themselves, and the loved to do it. This group put out a couple other records according to Discogs (which is missing this one, I suppose I should add it), and those others may be worth seeking out if you can find them. I don't imagine too many of these were pressed. The question I had was why are there 23 people in a group called 17 Young Christians? I guess they added some people to the group as time went on and they didn't want to change the name. Beside the point, really. Download this one and give it a listen. Put yourself in their shoes and try to imagine the joy they felt in putting something like this together. Maybe some day they'll put this out for again, with a nice remaster and some championing like Irwin Chusid did for The Langley Schools Music Project. I can dream, can't I? This is 17 Young Christians-Christmas In Song (St. John Of God Church, Central Islip, N.Y. SP 9905/9906, Stereo, 1971). There's a FB group for these guys, but it's not very active. I'll mention this there and see if I get any more info.

1. Christmas In Song
2. Do You Hear What I Hear?
3. Look Towards The Sky
4. The Best Day Of The Year
5. Christmas Comes Once A Year
6. The Joy Of Christmas
7. Following The Star
8. Remember It's Christmas
9. Explain It To Me
10. Remember When
11. Everything
12. Hymn
13. I'll Be With You
14. Merry Christmas To You All

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The Producers

I think this is the only production record I have to share with you this year. I had quite a few last year, but nothing other than this one has turned up for me this year. I was looking at a handful of them on Discogs just the other day, but I drug my heels for a few days and they sold right out from under me. You gotta be quick on the trigger for stuff sometimes. But that's neither here nor there, you just want some cool Christmas music. Well, this record has some cool short synthesizer-heavy Christmas bits for you that I think you'll enjoy. Each artist gets a side, and I'm sure you'll be able to tell the two styles apart. This is Anthony Mawer & Geoff Bastow-Merry Christmas (JW Music Library (England) JW 477, Stereo, 1976).

1. Anthony Mawer-Festive Season (a) Deck The Halls
2. Anthony Mawer-Festive Season (b) Ding Dong Merrily
3. Anthony Mawer-Festive Season (c) Good King
4. Anthony Mawer-Three Ships - Three Kings
5. Anthony Mawer-Carols Of The Nativity (a) The First Nowell
6. Anthony Mawer-Carols Of The Nativity (b) Hark The Herald Angels Sing
7. Anthony Mawer-Carols Of The Nativity (c) Adeste Fideles
8. Anthony Mawer-Tree Tops Glisten
9. Anthony Mawer-Snowmobile
10. Anthony Mawer-Winter Sunshine
11. Anthony Mawer-Lullaby For Christmas Eve
12. Geoff Bastow-Jingle Bells
13. Geoff Bastow-De Holly An' De Ivy
14. Geoff Bastow-Ho Ho Ho!!
15. Geoff Bastow-12th Day Of Christmas
16. Geoff Bastow-God Rest Ye
17. Geoff Bastow-Yule Train

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Special

Lots of religious musicians release Christmas albums. It's my goal to collect and share all of them with you, at least the older ones. This is the first one for the day, I think there's another coming up later. I remember having to do a lot of work on this cover, there was dark packing tape holding the top seam together on the jacket and I had to do a lot of Photoshop work to remove it and put the wording back together. So if you see anything that's just a little bit off, that's probably why. I'm not the best at doing such things, but I get it done eventually. This is Lindy Rich-Something Special For Christmas (Arnold Associates No Number, Stereo). Enjoy!

1. Reading-"Something Special"
2. Joy To The World
3. What Child Is This?
4. Reading-"Personal Christmas"
5. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
6. A Star Was His Candle
7. Reading-"Silent Night"
8. O Holy Night
9. Reading-"Inside Christmas"
10. Do You Hear What I Hear?
11. Silver Bells
12. Sleigh Ride
13. Winter Wonderland
14. Reading-"A Special Something"
15. Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)

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The Other Singer

The next record today is this beautiful album brought to you courtesy of The Singer Sewing Machine Company. Back in the day there were a lot of women who stayed at home and took care of the family while the hubby went off to work. And many of those ladies were incredibly handy when it came to making and mending the family's clothes. So of course they needed sewing machines. They were undoubtedly popular Christmas gifts, even more so when they came with a free Christmas record! No idea what's going on with the kids on the cover here, neither one of them seem to be too happy about Mom's new Christmas present. This is not the only record the Singer company produced, I brought you another one back in 2012 (with a re-encode in 2018 where the download is still good). That one features Donna Reed on the cover, so some folks collect it just for that. I would have remastered that one for you this year, but I couldn't find my copy in the archives, so you'll have to make do with this one. This is The Mastertone Orchestra Featuring The Don Janse Chorale-A Singer Christmas For The Family (Singer No Number, Mono, 1963). Pretty sure this music was licensed from a budget label and used again and again. If you hunt carefully through your music library, you might have it in a couple different places.

1. White Christmas
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Joy To The World
4. Deck The Halls
5. O Holy Night
6. Silent Night
7. The First Noel
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. Away In A Manger
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
12. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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Panama, Panama-a

Time to visit the small Central American country of Panama at Christmas time. This is a snappy little organ album from the Canal Zone, which I thought I had shared with you before, but I guess not. I can't find it on the blog, though I did have a copy of it on my computer. Maybe I recorded it but never shared it. I did find this one, maybe that's what I was thinking of. Anyhow, you'll enjoy this if you like the organ records around here. If not, then it may not be your thing. This is Lucho Azcarraga Y Su Conjunto-Navidades En Panama (Christmas In Panama) Con Lucho Azcarraga (Panama LA-2001, Mono, 1964). Enjoy!

1. Venid Pastorcillos
2. Jingle Bells
3. Holy Night
4. Joy To The World
5. Bells Of St. Mary's
6. O Christmas Tree
7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
8. Cancion De Cuna
9. White Christmas
10. A Belen
11. Christmas Morn Is Come Again
12. Noche De Paz
13. O Come All Ye Faithful
14. Away In A Manger
15. Ese Precioso Niño

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Hi Ho Hi-Fi

I've shared out a lot of organ and chime records over the years, but this one has always stood out to me. Not because of the music I'm afraid, but because I like the cover and because it has the phrase Hi-Fi in the title. How can you go wrong with that? This was first shared in 2008 but I've remastered it and I'm bringing it back tonight. This is Hank Sylvern-Christmas In Hi-Fi: Organ Bells Chimes (ABC-Paramount ABC-146, Mono, 1956). Enjoy!

1. Joy To The World
2. Away In A Manger
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. The First Noël
5. Deck The Hall
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
9. Jingle Bells
10. The Cherry Tree Carol
11. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
12. Silent Night

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Are You Ready For Some Football?

Not part of a series today (but I have shared another team in the series), this record features your favorite 1970 football players crooning along to some karaoke Christmas tracks that aren't half bad. Hard to tell one football player from another though, but it's a novel concept, and might bring a light to a football fan of a certain age. Good luck getting the complete set, I've been after them for years and so far I have two. Of course, Discogs makes that trivial if you have enough money. This is The 1970 New York Giants-Arranged, Conducted And Produced By Jacques Urbont-The Giants Sing Holiday Halftime (Manlius MAN-1090, Stereo, 1970).

1. Deck The Halls
2. Winter Wonderland
3. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
4. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
5. A Tropical Winter
6. Let It Snow
7. Frosty The Snowman
8. Jingle Bells
9. Auld Lang Syne

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After Christmas 2023

I've been meaning to put this list together for a while but haven't gotten to it until now. For a few years now I've been putting up a post that highlights all the records I shared after Christmas during the previous season. I know the crowds clear out of here pretty quickly after Christmas comes, so there's a good chance many visitors missed those final shares. So here are some links to those items you might have missed. It's all good stuff!

Ray Conrad-"The Cotton-Pickin' Lift Tower" And Other Skiing Songs

Toni Wine-My Boyfriend's Coming Home For Christmas

Six Family Mountain-Takin' A Ride With The Wind

Bobby Salvatore-Stick 'Em Up Santa

The Aquinas Singers-Merry Christmas Is The Nicest Hello-Season's Greetings From The Aquinas Singers

Bey Ireland-All I Want For Christmas Is A Go-Go Girl b/w Christmas Without You

Finally It's Christmas With The Singing Angels

Joan Shaw-Danny Small Orchestra-I Want A Man For Christmas

The United States Navy Band & Julius La Rosa Sing Noel

The Snowmen-Hokey Cokey

Jim McGuirt And Company Featuring Bob Ferrell With Bob Schlemo And Ken Veenstra-Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas b/w Resolutions

The G-Clefs-I Understand (Just How You Feel) (Auld Lang Syne)

Sonny Til-Arranged And Conducted By Bert De Coteaux-What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

2022 at 78 RPM-New Year's Special

2022 at 78 RPM-Part 53-Part 1

2022 at 78 RPM-Part 53-Part 2

Heaven & Earth with Home For Christmas

Bobby Goodwin-The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) b/w Little Stranger In A Manger

Debra Ferrara With The Walsh High Choir, Music By The Del Fi's-Christmas Time (Is Near) b/w Jingle Bells

Gene & Jerry-Hootenanny Christmas

Elaine And Derek And The Rita Williams Singers-It's Christmas b/w The Christmas Story

Doye O'Dell-I'm Picking Fights For Christmas

Francine Raynor-Christmas Is The Time b/w This Is The Time For Christmas

Dick Wilson-Merry Christmas To You Dear Holy-One

Frank Kelly-Christmas Countdown b/w Yuletide Moonshine

Johnnie Que-Rockabilly Christmas b/w Rockabilly Christmas-Instrumental

The Funny Bunch-'Twas The Night Before-A Christmas Story b/w XXX Motor Club-A Christmas Story

Glenn Weston-A Very Merry Christmas

Ivan Browne-Mary's Boy Child b/w Jingle Bell Ride

Country Music Makers-Vocal By Wayne Brown-Merry Christmas Anyway b/w Ho Ho Ho Santa Claus

Santa's Land-Two More Singles

And at that point, I called it a season and went to sleep for a long, long time. Lots of good stuff in there, and plenty of the posts don't have any comments. That tells me that not enough people saw them, and that's why I'm bringing them to your attention now. If you didn't see them then, go see 'em now!

Stereo Epic

Not really related to the other shares of the day, and not in a gatefold sleeve, this is still some good music, and in a unique form. This is probably the only Japanese Christmas record I will share with you this year., Unfortunately it's not Japanese music, but a Japanese issue of some English choral music. And it's pressed on beautiful transparent red vinyl, so it's fun to look at as it spins on the turntable. Give a listen to Royal Choral Society Conducted By Sir Malcolm Sargent-Stereo Christmas Carols (Angel (Japan) ASC 5198 (Transparent Red Vinyl), Stereo, 1960). I'll also throw in a scan of what I believe is the original English sleeve, just to be complete. No Stereo in the title of that one, I'm afraid, though it is a stereo copy. Oh, also forgot, there was an insert in the Japanese version, so I scanned that and dropped it in the package. You're welcome.

1. The Boar's Head Carol
2. On Christmas Day
3. Jesu, Word Of God Incarnate (Ave Verum)
4. Little David, Play On Yo' Harp
5. Zither Carol
6. Silent Night
7. Cowboy Carol
8. All God's Chillun
9. Star In The South
10. The Cherry-Tree Carol
11. To A Baby
12. Greensleeves (New Year Carol)
13. Shakespeare's Carol
14. Carol Of Beauty

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The Sweeping Saga Continues

Time for another record in the saga that is today, a short series of big fancy gatefold records that try to tell the story either of Christ's birth or his entire life, all in the grooves of a record. We'll not just in the grooves, but on the elaborate sleeves as well. This one at least is all songs, so it may hold your attention a little better than the last couple, and I think I scanned all the pages in this one, so you have something to look at as well. This is The Epic Choir-Peter Sozio, Conductor-The Story Of Christmas (Epic LC 3144, Mono, 1955). Is this the oldest record I've shared so far this year? I feel like my time frame for inclusion has really moved much closer to the present this year. Stuff from the Seventies still doesn't seem that old to me, but I guess it is...

1. O Come Emanuel
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. The First Noel
5. We Three Kings
6. Away In A Manger
7. What Child Is This
8. Silent Night, Holy Night
9. Angels We Have Heard On High
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
11. Cantique De Noel
12. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
13. Good King Wenceslas
14. Deck The Hall
15. Good Christian Men, Rejoice
16. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
17. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
18. Joy To The World

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Another Sweeping Saga

This share is a complete recording of a Christmas service in a Church in Bethlehem. As you might imagine, there's a lot of spectacle involved, but the singing seems to be almost secondary. There's not a whole lot going on here, and I doubt if you'll listen to this twice. I don't think it sold very well, and the two copies I had in my collection were both hole-punched. It does seem to have been pushed more in Israel since Discogs lists three different releases there. Give it a listen just so you know what you might be missing. This is Christmas Night In Bethlehem-The Midnight Ceremony At St. Catherine's Church (Dunhill DS-55002, Stereo, 1968). There were quite a few pages inside the gatefold of this one, but I was lazy and only scanned the first and the last pages for you. You aren't missing much, just some tourist pictures of The Holy Land.

1. Bells Of Bethlehem
2. Matins: Christus Natus Est Nobis; Jesus Redemptor; Lesson
3. Silent Night
4. The Midnight Mass: Dominus Dixit Ad Me; Kyrie; Gloria
5. The Midnight Mass (Cont.): De Gradual; Alleluia; The Gospel; Credo; Offertory; Preface; Sanctus; Benedictus; Agnus Dei
6. Adeste Fideles
7. Jesus Redemptor Omnium
8. Bells Of Bethlehem

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A Sweeping Saga

This share is only about half Christmas, but it's something I thought was interesting so I'll share it out here. It appears to be the soundtrack to a TV special from 1960 about the life of Christ. The first side is the one of interest here, detailing the birth of Christ. The name that stood out to me in the credits was Robert Russell Bennett, a guy who did some interesting stuff back in his day but is little remembered today, except in certain circles. He handled the musical duties here, and the narration is by Alexander Scourby. It's two side-long tracks so you'll have to carve out a little time to listen, but it's not too bad. I had ripped a mono version early in the year and had marked the stereo version on Discogs as something I wanted to pick up. Then during dinner one night, I glanced over at the record shelf near the table and a spine jumped out at me. I wandered over to pull it out and sure enough, it was a stereo copy, already in my collection. That happens too often to me, there's little to no organization in the collection. So you get the fancy stereo version tonight, though I'm sure that's not the way it was broadcast on TV back then. This is The Coming Of Christ-The Original Story And Music Of The Award Winning N.B.C. "Project XX" Television Program (Decca DL 79093, Stereo, 1961). Enjoy!

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Brass Monkey 5

Last but not least, this is the only LP from the Galliard players that's not on MHS. It's on Golden Crest, which is only a couple steps above a budget label. Well, maybe not that bad, but not great. I had to do a little work to convince myself that these were unique tracks, and I believe they are, though there are certainly some titles duplicated here and there. A welcome addition to the catalog, and the last one I have for you. This is The Galliard Brass Ensemble-Christmas Brass (Golden Crest CRS-4212, Stereo, 1981). Yes, this has the same name as the first record of theirs I shared with you, but again, I don't think it's a duplicate.

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful
2. Deck The Hall
3. Sussex Carol
4. Rejoice And Be Merry (Gallery Carol)
5. The Christmas Song
6. The Carnal And The Crane
7. Joy To The World
8. Once In Royal David's City
9. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
10. Patapan
11. Hodie Christus Natus Est
12. Wexford Carol
13. Here Comes Santa Claus
14. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
15. Ding Dong Merrily On High
16. Linden Tree Carol
17. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
18. Rejoice In The Lord Alway (SIC)
19. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

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Brass Monkey 4

The Christmas brass just keeps coming! This is volume two of the record I just shared with you, so I think you know what to expect. This is The Galliard Brass Ensemble With Guest Artists-Carols For Brass Volume 2 (Musical Heritage Society MHS 4806H, Stereo, 1983). There's a little bit of info on the back cover about the guest artists here, but not enough that I felt comfortable putting any info in the track tags. Your mileage may very on that. Enjoy! (This cover is a little more like what you expect on a release from MHS.)

1. Joy To The World
2. Rejoice And Be Merry
3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. O Come, All Ye Faithful
5. Once In Royal David's City
6. Deck The Halls
7. Wexford Carol
8. Ding Dong Merrily On High
9. Hosanna To The Son Of David
10. Rejoice In The Lord Always
11. Quem Vidistis Pastores
12. Boston
13. Judea
14. Puer Natus In Bethlehem
15. Hodie Christus Natus Est
16. Hosanna To The Son Of David
17. In Dulci Jubilo

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Brass Monkey 3

I'm back with more from The Galliard Brass Ensemble. Believe me when I tell you that these guys love their Christmas music.This second LP is more of the same, so if you liked the first one, this is a good one to try next. This is The Galliard Brass Ensemble-Carols For Brass (Musical Heritage Society MHS 4276 (Also MusicMasters MM20039), Stereo, 1980). Got a bonus cover for this one, too. I suspect there's a standard B&W cover for this one somewhere, like so many of the LPs on this label, but I don't have it. That bright orange job is a bit of an outlier for MHS. It also caused some issues for my scanner, kept coming out bright red. Hopefully I color corrected it to something close to real life. Probably too yellow though, like all my other scans this year. :(

1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Good King Wenceslas
3. Greensleeves
4. I Saw Three Ships
5. Tantum Ergo-Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
6. O Tannenbaum
7. Silent Night
8. Sing We Now Of Christmas (Noel Nouvolet)
9. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
10. The Holly And The Ivy
11. Carol Of The Bells
12. The First Noel
13. We Three Kings
14. Away In A Manger
15. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
16. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
17. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
18. Coventry Carol
19. Gloucestershire Wassail
20. O Maria, Diana Stella

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Brass Monkey 2

Up next in our journey through the brass section of the orchestra is the first selection we have from a very prolific outfit called The Galliard Brass Ensemble. These guys seemed to be Christmas enthusiasts as they recorded four full albums of Christmas music, and not much else. Most of that was recorded for the Musical Heritage Society, a small specialty mail-order label that put out a lot of classical music in their day, I think they're even still around but I don't know if they're just reissuing stuff or if they're still recording new music. That's all beside the point, you just want some Christmas music, right? Let's begin with The Galliard Brass Ensemble-Christmas Brass (Musical Heritage Society MHS 7223A, Stereo, 1985). Stay tuned, lots more to come.

1. Jubilate Deo
2. Sing Joyfully
3. Angelus Ad Pastores
4. In Natali Domini
5. Psallite
6. Charleston
7. Watertown
8. Choral Prelude On Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland
9. Chorale: Jesu Meiner Seelen Wonne (Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring)
10. O Magnum Mysterium
11. Oyd, Oyd Una Cosa
12. Heute Ist Christus Der Herr Geboren
13. Magi Viderunt Stellam
14. All People Clap Your Hands
15. Quem Vidistis Pastores
16. Magnificat Sexti Toni (Excerpts)
17. Angelus Ad Pastores Ait

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Where In The World?

I had a visitor yesterday leave a note that said "Greetings from Cologne, Germany", and I thought that was pretty far away. Then I had the idea about trying to track where some of my visitors came from and I started a map. If you look close up above, you can see me down in Florida, and yesterday's visitor in Germany. If you'll leave me a shout out in the comments, I'll add you to the map and then repost it when I've got a few more dots on there. I know not everyone can be from as far away as Germany, but I bet we can get dots around the world as well as across the US. So leave me a note with a location and we'll see what we come up with. Thanks for visiting!

Brass Monkey 1

One of the things I wanted to find this season was an album of Christmas brass that was as fun as the one I shared last year by a band that used to perform at Disneyland. Of course their band was all tubas, and I think that adds a little something special to the mix, but trombones, trumpets and French horns can bring their own special thing to a song. I don't think I've succeeded in finding anything quite as good as The Mighty Tubadours, but there are some good moments in all the records I'm about to share. Give them all a listen, pull together your favorites and you'll have quite a good listen. First up is The Annapolis Brass Quintet-The Spirit Of Christmas Brassed (Richardson RRS-5, Stereo, 1977). They'll really get you in the spirit!

1. Crisp English Carol Medley: Deck The Halls; Gloucestershire Wassail; Wassail Song
2. Adeste Fideles
3. Joy To The World
4. El Cant Dels Ocells (Song Of The Bells)
5. Swiss Chansons
6. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
7. O Come, Emanuel
8. A Spanish Medley: Las Posades; Ya Viene Lavieta; A La Nanita Nana
9. The First Nowell
10. Good King Wenceslas
11. O Holy Night
12. Von Himmel Hoch, Da Komm' Ich Her (From Heaven Above I Come To Earth)
13. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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The Return of Chimeatron!

Here's a weird remaster for you of something I first shared way, way back in 2008. I was pretty excited at the time to have found a record that promised "Chimes by Chimeatron", but it wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped. It's pretty much just your standard organ & chimes LP, perhaps a bit slower than most, but nothing special. I still think about it occasionally, and decided to revisit it this year when I was looking for stuff to redo. It's not as bad as I remember, but that may just be because I'm older and can appreciate some things that I didn't like when I was younger. At least this time I got a stereo cover, though I believe my old copy had stereo sound in the grooves with a mono jacket and labels. Quality control and all that... Anyhow, this is your daily remaster, George Chiainia At The Organ And Chimes-Chimes By "Chimeatron"-Music Of The Holiday Season (Colonial ST-LP-772, Stereo, 1965). You might remember the Colonial label from some of those international records I shared yesterday. There was a six-page catalog in this record that listed many of the other releases on Colonial at the time, and I couldn't find any of those Christmas releases on it. So I'm guessing they must date after this one. There's a copy of that catalog in the download if you'd like to take a look. I love to find ephemera inside record jackets, and always try to scan it so you can enjoy it as well.

1. White Christmas
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
4. Oh Holy Night
5. Joy To The World
6. Angels We Have Heard On High
7. Away In The Manger
8. Noel
9. Silent Night
10. Jingle Bells
11. Oh How Joyfully
12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
13. In Dulce Jubilo
14. Beautiful Savior
15. We Three Kings
16. Lo How A Rose

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