You Asked For It, You Got It
I asked if anybody had any requests the other day, and this is one of the albums that someone asked for. I would have bet money that this was on CD, but it turns out that it isn't. This record has been re-released several times over the years, but the one you see in the scan is the issue I recorded. I believe it was originally available as Decca DL 8171 & later MCA 517, but you are about to download and listen to Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-'Twas The Night Before Christmas (MCA 15016), the copy I had that was in the best condition. And believe it or not, Fred had recorded this entire album earlier for Decca (as an LP, and sets of either 45s or 78s), which I may also share out if I get the time. You can buy a CD with the same tracks (and more!) here, made up of versions performed by Waring, et. al, from radio broadcasts. The cover you see above is by Norman Rockwell, and is owned by Hallmark Cards.
If you don't listen to any other tracks on this record, listen to Rudolph. Spike Jones must have been in the room along with one of the Chipmunks when they recorded this!
Ernie,
ReplyDeleteThank You! Thank You! Thank You! Boy, does this bring back the memories. Thanks not only for this, but for all the great rips you've provided!
Geoff
Ernie,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have two Fred Waring Christmas CDs: "Caroling, Caroling", and "Now Is The Caroling Season" We had the NITCS lp when I was a kid and just about wore it away to nothing. This is an excellent addition to those two. You are to be commended for your efforts. You are the gift that keeps on giving!
Inkydog
Hey Ernie,
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Thanks for all the great Christmas tunes. I can only imagine all of the work it takes to share all this music.
Two questions - what was on your previously mentioned Christmas CD and what hardware and software do you use to rip music from vinyl? Thanks again!
Lex
Glad you all like the Fred Waring LP. I was pretty suprised how much I enjoyed it as well, especially side one. I don't know why they don't put this stuff out on CD.
ReplyDeleteLex-My Christmas CD contains tracks from many of these albums I've been sharing. I've been recording these things for almost a year now. There's no way I could keep up this pace without having bunch of music already in the can. I don't have any special recorindg equipment. Just an old turntable, a really old receiver, and the line-in jack on an old Soyo motherboard. I'm not what you'd call an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. :)
"I know how to REALLY give this album that Christmas feel! Let's put in some echo AND some reverb!"
ReplyDeleteI just love this version of Rudolph!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite records ever... Thanks Ernie!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I grew up listening to this and was so disappointed that I couldn't find it on CD. Our family has several copies of the LP, but I just downloaded this and you made my Christmas!So many great memories...
ReplyDeleteIndeed, this is the greatest of all Christmas LPs! I've remembered it though the years and finally retrieved it from my parent's collection. I've just finished transferring my precious copy to MP3 so I can listen to it easily on my home theatre system through my TiVo or MP3 player. Thanks for the "clean" version -- but I gotta say I've grown accustomed to the clicks and cracks in all the old familiar places! I used SoundSoap from Bias to clean out some of the worst clicks and scratches, and CD Spin Doctor to slice and dice into tracks and to transfer to iTunes.
ReplyDeleteCan you please repost this?
ReplyDeleteErnie,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was telling my kids about the FW Rudolph song and hoping to find it online. My mom always played this record while we decorated our tree. Thanks for allowing me to carry on the tradition!
-Carolyn
The link to download says file cannot be found. Can you please repost link or email me the file?
ReplyDeletenancygirl-Seems to work fine for me. Give it another try!
ReplyDeleteErnie,
ReplyDeleteThere is no thank you enough for what I stumbled upon here. I have searched for this album for 10 years, mainly for Rudolph. My sister and I wore this out when we were kids. I know what she's getting for Christmas. I am listening now with tears in my eyes and fond memories. Thank You ever so much. And the front and back cover, what a sight. Now I can share a real peice of my own childhood with my kids.
Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteI have this album, but I do not have a turntable, and so it was so sad to just have it and not be able to listen.
A few years back, I borrowed some equipment and recorded the album into digital format, but the pops and snaps turned into strange robotic noise.
It's so nice to have a clean copy.
I purchased the "Christmas Magic" CD a while ago, only to be sorely disappointed that it was not this one.
This is my favorite Christmas album of all time. Thank you for your efforts in posting it.
How great! My dad grew up listening to this record & so did I. Mom & Dad found it for me some years ago so that he didn't have to give me his copy :) This year for Christmas I've had it transferred to cd for him...can't wait to give it to him! I always play it while I'm doing Christmas baking. Rudolph was my favorite as a kid! I love all of side 1....
ReplyDeleteThank you for making this available! I've been looking for the CD of this for years. This album has been a family favorite since my parents bought it new back in 1955. Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town are the highlights for me. Brings back many memories.
ReplyDeleteDeb
I'm a music buff, and even with a usb turntable and cassette, it's hard to find these albums! THANKS!
ReplyDelete