Stereo Mann

Here's a new version of a share from last year that I found in Stereo for you. I originally recorded this record last year because it was by Sy Mann, and I had just downloaded his Moog Christmas record. I had hope that maybe this one was as good, but it's not. It's still not bad, though. And I'm excited to bring you a stereo copy this year. Funny thing is, the stereo version omits one song (It Came Upon A Midnight Clear) that's on the mono version, so you may want to go get that version. (The track is listed on the back of the record, but not on the label, and it's certainly not on the vinyl. I guess the stereo tracks wouldn't fit on the record. Or maybe they just wanted to save a little more money. I don't know...) Anyhow, please download and give a listen to Sy Mann At The Wurlitzer-Everybody's Christmas Favorites-Organ & Chimes (Palace STXM-901).

25 Days Of Christmas-Day 21

Here's another track I'm going to go out on a limb and say you've never heard. This is one of those educational LPs that were all the rage in the 70s, from the likes of Hap Palmer and others. This particular one is by Sandy Offenheim, and other than the title track, doesn't have much to do with Christmas. Well, I suppose this track isn't really Christmas, but at least it's about snow, which is close enough for our purposes. Please be my guest and download the latest track for my online CD collection, 25 Days Of Christmas, Sandy Offenheim-If Snowflakes Fell In Flavours, from the LP (Berandol BER 9001) of the same name.

Previous tracks:

Up With People-Jingle Bell Beat
The Ames Brothers-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Jimmy Boyd-Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney
Lou Monte-Italian Jingle Bells
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes

Two Stories For Christmas

Here are a couple of Christmas stories to brighten your weekend before Christmas. The link between these two is the writer, Charles Tazewell. Other than that, I don't know much. I believe they both came out as sets of 45s at one time, but I found them all together as long individual tracks on a single LP. Side one is narrated by Loretta Young, scored by Charles Paul and the orchestra is by Victor Young with the Ken Darby Choir. Side two features Gregory Peck with music by Carmen Dragon (father of The Captain from Captain & Tennille!). Both stories are really nice, so if you have little kiddies, be sure to download and listen to these. Here are Loretta Young-The Littlest Angel and Gregory Peck-Lullaby Of Christmas (Decca DLP 8009, 1949). I also found a later cover for this one, which I threw in below for your enjoyment.

Does Baby Jesus Get The Blues?

I'm not sure why anyone would want to give the blues to the baby Jesus. I mean, doesn't he have enough weight on his shoulders? But here it is, some blues for baby Jesus. This LP was recorded for E&E Insurance, a firm I'm not sure exists anymore. And the artist, Gary Mann, well, I'm not sure if he exists anymore, either. But he left this great album for us to enjoy. Think of Al Hirt's Christmas record. Now tone it down a bit, because this one isn't that good, and you've got at least a pretty good idea of the sound here. Mostly traditional stuff here, but there are a couple of originals, including the title track. You know you want to go give a listen to Gary Mann-Blues For Baby Jesus (The Educator & Executive Insurance Companies EE-101, 1972). This LP was re-released (perhaps the very next year) as Christmas With Gary Mann (EE-102), so I've thrown that scan in below for you.

Yet Another Christmas Carol

It seems that just about everybody and their little sister has recorded a version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. So I was bound to share one out sooner or later. Here's a version featuring Lionel Barrymore that seems to have been put out in association with MGM and The Longines Symphonette Recording Society. However, I don't think the Longines people actually recorded anything new for this release. I've seen the Lionel Barrymore version of A Christmas Carol in half a dozen different places, and I suspect it originates from a radio broadcast. The flip side is exactly the same as the A side of the David Rose LP I just shared with you. So clearly no expense was spared in the making of this record. Even the cover is cheap---they left the flip side blank. But I'm giving it to you for free, so don't complain too loudly. (From the downloads I've seen here on my site, you folks don't like these story-type records anyway. Too bad...) Here's A Christmas Carol (Longines Symphonette Recording Society/MGM LW-116).

The Night Before The Night Before The Night Before Christmas

Did I get the right number of 'night before's in there? I'm not sure. It's late and I'm tired. I pretty much ran out of old items to reshare with you today, which helps explain the dearth of postings today. Normally, I've been sharing two old records and two new records each day. However, there seem to be a few more days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, so I ran out of music! Well, I ran out of rerun music. I've still got a few records in the can to share with you that I recorded this year. And here's a good one. Lots of lush strings from a great bandleader, David Rose. Best known for The Stripper, David had a long career that was completely overshadowed by that one song. Oh, and Holiday For Strings, which everybody knows, but few people know it was by David Rose. The music on this record is served up medley style. Each side is one long melange of tracks, so get ready for some extended listening. I guess this is the way David liked his Christmas music. Earlier this year, Lee over at Music You Won't posted a 78 from David Rose, and it, too, features a long medley of Christmas tunes on each side. But enough about the artist, let's get to the music. Here's A Merry Christmas To You From David Rose And His Orchestra (MGM E3469, 1956). Enjoy!

Oh, I almost forgot. There is a great Christmas tune from David Rose that I shared out back during Christmas In July. You should definitely go get it!

25 Days Of Christmas-Day 20

Here's another interesting track for my online compilation 25 Days Of Christmas. Get yourselves a little NOW! sound action with Up With People-Jingle Bell Beat from Merry Christmas To You All (Pace 1105, 1969). I was all set to share out this whole LP last year when I found out that it's on CD. So if you like this track, you can go out and buy the whole thing. I was reminded of this track when it popped up on this year's Christmas mix from the great Andy Cirzan. I think this was the only track on his whole mix that I was familiar with. Well, one other track I think I had downloaded somewhere earlier this year, but still, he's got a lot of obscure Christmas music. I'm trying to get caught up before Christmas Day on my releases here, so keep checking back.

Previous tracks:
The Ames Brothers-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Jimmy Boyd-Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney
Lou Monte-Italian Jingle Bells
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes

All Apologies

I know I owe everyone a couple of tracks for my 25 Days Of Christmas, but I'm going to have to put you off another day. All the stuff I've been putting off is going to have to take a little precedence over that. This weekend is the last chance I have to do all of the Christmas shopping I've been neglecting since November. I've also got to get my annual calendar project printed up, and so far it's taken about 24 hours, with maybe 10 more to go. I promise I'll get all the tracks up as soon as I can, and I promise it'll be worth the wait!

Jimmy For Christmas

Here's another great LP for you to download before Christmas. Everybody has heard Christmas songs by crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, and a whole host of others, but few people have heard Jimmy Roselli. I guess he tried hard to be a popular singers back in the late 60's, but it just never worked out for him. But he did put out a pretty good Christmas album in the process. So for a special treat, download Jimmy Roselli-The Christmas Album (United Artists UAS 6538, 1966). The scan you see is from a mono copy, 'cause my stereo LP had a water-stained cover. But trust me, the music you're downloading is in stereo. Also, the back of the stereo was in black and white, but the mono was in color. I shared the doodle from the back of this one a while back, if you're interested.

Update: Here's another one that is on CD, but I missed it. So you can't download it from me. Sorry. Go get it here! It's pricey, but available.

Paul For Christmas

Here's some more great sound from France that I know you are going to love. I released this last year, but I found a better copy during the past twelve months. I rerecorded it, did a little bit of noise reduction on it, and encoded it at a slightly higher bitrate. There are still some weak spots here and there, but it's still a great listen. I think you're really going to love Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra-The Christmas Album (Philips PHS 600-255, 1967).

Home For Christmas

I doubt if I've posted a more traditional Christmas image all year than this one. Doesn't this family just scream out with that 1950's ideal of what Christmas should be? Well, the music is like that, too. I recorded this over the summer because my good buddy The Captain had a mono version and wanted to hear the stereo. So now I'm going to inflict it, I mean share it with you. Here is Henri Rene-Home For Christmas, A Joyous Evening Of Yuletide Songs (RCA Victor CSP-109, 1964). There is such a wide variety of styles on here, I think you'll be shocked.

Groovy Christmas

The big day is getting a lot closer, and I'm trying to build up some momentum around here. I've saved up some goodies that I think you're really going to love for these last few days! Here's an oldie but a goldie. This LP was a real sensation when I shared it out last year, and I'm hoping it will be again this year. Just look at that LP cover above and tell me you don't want to download this. I didn't think so. Go get Raymond LeFevre And His Orchestra-Merry Christmas (4 Corners Of The World FCS-4257).

Once More On The Carillon

OK, I think this is the very last record of carillon Christmas for the year, and quite possibly ever. I'm getting tired of it to tell you the truth, but I've got to get it out there. No one else is going to. And this one comes from none other than the official carillonneur of the state of Georgia, Herbie Koch! Pretty impressive, eh? This one also hails from Stone Mountain, and that carillon from Coca-Cola, so it sounds very similar to the other records I brought you. So I'm just going to shut up now and share Herbie Koch-Christmas Bells Of Stone Mountain (Stone Mountain 777S-8037).

Maybe More John Klein

This may or may not be some more John Klein at the carillon. I got this record all recorded up, then realized it had the same track list as the record I brought you last night from Mr. Klein. But it's in a different order, and on a different record label. Times on the tracks are pretty close to the same, though. So you be the judge. Download it and compare, or don't waste your time, go get something more interesting below. Either way, here's an album called John Klein-The Bells Of Christmas (Americana AR-6).

I know of at least one more LP of carillon Christmas out there from John Klein, but I don't have it. Lucky for you, it's shared out over at BongoBells, so go get it! Scroll down a little on that page, you'll see it.

Not More John Klein

Some of you with nice record collections and a knowledge of Christmas music may be wondering why I didn't share out this John Klein Christmas LP, A Christmas Sound Spectacular (RCA Victor LSP 2023, 1959). Well, simple. It's on CD. You can go buy it here (only $8!). I did want to show you the cover, though, since it's awesome, and point out the little RCA tags below. This in the only instance I've found where the tag is different on the mono version versus the stereo version. I'm sure you can figure out which is which. Also, I acquired a copy of this LP sometime recently, and I thought it seemed a little stiff when I picked it up. I looked in the sleeve, and there was an insert in there. It's a big long piece giving a history of bells and carillons. The first page of that insert is shown way down at the bottom of this post. And if you want to read the whole thing, you can download it here. Now, stay tuned for more John Klein!

A Zither For Christmas

Some of you may be familiar with the zither as a musical instrument only from the movie The Third Man, if at all. Well, here's another great use to which it's been put. This is some really mellow Christmas music. I think it's better than the harp stuff, but probably not as good as the guitar stuff. I think everyone dug this LP last year, so don't miss out this time around. Go get Ruth Welcome-Christmas In Zitherland (Capitol ST 1782, c. 1962).

Way Out

This was a huge surprise last year when I threw it on the turntable. It's a record from a gas station that was probably given away for free at some point, and it's actually really good! Trust me on this. Don't waste any time, just go download Robert Way Orchestra And Chorus-New England Sleigh Ride Volume 1 (Fleetwood FCL3023). I don't know anything about this record other than what you see on the cover. Anybody know anything? Come on, share!

Update Oct 2009: Looks like Robert Way is in the process of remastering and re-releasing this on CD, so head on over there and get a copy of this great music from the man who created it!

25 Days Of Christmas-Day 19

Once again, I am too lazy to stay up and scan in the LP cover that goes with today's track for 25 Days Of Christmas. But that's OK, since I didn't get it from the original LP anyway. This is a selection that really swings, probably more so than anything else I've put on my CD so far. And I think the original LP was recently released on CD, so don't tell anybody where you got this track! In fact, why don't you go buy the CD? I'll wait... Got it? Good. Now don't forget to download track 19, The Ames Brothers With Sid Ramin And His Orchestra-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town from A Musical Merry Christmas, Volume 3 (B.F. Goodrich/RCA Victor PRS-221, 1966).

Previous tracks:
Jimmy Boyd-Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney
Lou Monte-Italian Jingle Bells
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes

More Klein, More Coke

You did say you wanted more carillon music tonight, didn't you? I thought so. Here's another LP from the master carilloner John Klein, played on the exact same carillon as my last share, only now it's at Georgia's Stone Mountain instead of the World's Fair. Stone Mountain is located just outside of Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola, so I guess the connection is there. This one is more straight-forward bell ringing, so I don't think it's as interesting as that last share, but you may like it. This reminds me of Century Tower at The University of Florida. They always had some poor music student in there during the holidays, cranking out the Christmas music at a frustratingly slow pace. I think they need to come up with a way to really make those bells swing. Someday... Here's John Klein-Noel Bells (Stone Mountain SM-201).

Coke And Christmas (Oodles Of Doodles CCX)

Whoa, it's getting late and I haven't posted anything yet. So real quick, here's an LP of carillon music for you from the master of the carillon, John Klein. This was recorded at the 1964 World's Fair on some big fancy carillon located at the Coca-Cola pavilion. I like this record a little more than most carillon recordings, probably because of the orchestral additions of Henri Rene. I think you'll enjoy it too. Here's John Klein With Orchestra And Chorus Conducted By Henri Rene-Let's Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree (RCA Victor LPM-2914, 1964). My copy of the LP came with an insert that I scanned and stuck into the ZIP file for you. The two doodles below are from that insert. Enjoy!

Yingle All The Way

Back before Weird Al made it to the top of the charts, there was humor on vinyl. Hard to believe, but true. And here's the record to prove it. This was quite the popular share last year, and I'm sure it will be again this year. For all the folks who thought the accents in Fargo were just hilarious, here is Yogi Yorgesson With Johnny Duffy And The Scandahoovians-Yingle Bells (Capitol 7" 45 rpm EAP 1-461, 1951).

25 Days Of Christmas-Day 18

Tonight's contribution to 25 Days Of Christmas is just a wee bit disturbing. I won't spoil it for you, but at least it has a happy ending. This is a little-heard single from the artist who brought you the iconic version of 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'. I guess his career didn't end after that one great track. So download this great little bit of history, Jimmy Boyd-Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney (Columbia 7" 45 RPM Single 4-40080).

Previous tracks:

Lou Monte-Italian Jingle Bells
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes

Two For One

Here's a little treat that I've been waiting to share with you since last year. Some of you old-timers may remember the record above. I never shared out the music last year, but I did share the scan over at Flickr. I had never listened to it too closely, I guess, or I would have shared it before now. The music is lush orchestra, well conducted and well arranged. The best stuff is the side of secular songs, which I find more interesting that the side of sacred hymns, but you may be of the other mind. At some point during the year, I stumbled across the album below, which looks the same, except for the missing Living Stereo banner. Yes, it is in mono, which is usually a bad thing. But something kept bothering me about it. I didn't post the scans of the flip side here (they're in the downloads, though), but if they were here, you'd see what it took me maybe a week to realize. The stereo copy credits Domenico Savino, His Orchestra and Chorus, while the mono version credits Domenico Savino And His Orchestra. Subtle difference, but important. After much listening and comparing, I realized that these are two different records! The mono one was recorded independently of the stereo version. The arrangements are the same, but the versions are slightly different. And what do you know, I like the mono better! But you have to judge for yourself. I'm giving you both copies, and you can let me know what you think. For starters, here's Domenico Savino And His Orchestra-Hi-Fi Christmas Party (RCA Camden CAL-392, 1958, Mono). And here's Domenico Savino, His Orchestra And Chorus-Hi-Fi Christmas Party (RCA Camden CAS-392, 1958, Stereo). Grab 'em both and let me know which one you like better!
Earlier this evening, I shared an EP by Mr. Savino with you. The tracks on that release are mono, and match the times from the mono record above. But the record above has no mention or credit of The Rome Festival Orchestra. So I don't know what the deal is. The flip side to the stereo long-player mentions that Domenico had to come back from a vacation in Italy for the recording session, so couldn't he have stayed in Italy if he was going to record with The Rome Festival Orchestra? Hmmm, well, you know what? It doesn't say he recorded these tracks in America, just that he interrupted his vacation to record them. I made an assumption, and you know what that means...

Direct From Rome

I didn't want to wait until Christmas Eve to share this Music For Christmas Eve. This way, you can have it all downloaded and ready to go for that special day before the big day. This is really just a teaser for the next post, so I'm not going to go into any great detail here, but go ahead and download Domenico Savino And The Rome Festival Orchestra-Music For Christmas Eve (RCA Camden 7" 45 rpm CAE-372) while you're waiting.

More Spurr

I almost forgot I had this track laying around on my hard drive. Here's a bonus Christmas song from the wonderful Thurlow Spurr And The Spurrlows. Well, at least the album cover is wonderfully trippy. This has to be the most out-there cover I've scanned this season, and I've scanned over 150 so far. It was even more fun while I was trying to piece together the different scans into a single image. All those colors and radial pieces... I had to stop for a while and wait for my eyes to focus again. Compared to this cover, the song is positively laid back. Be sure you download this and put it with the full LP I gave you from the Spurrlows this morning. Here's Thurlow Spurr And The Spurrlows-Go Tell It On The Mountain from The Spurrlows Now (Word WST-8445-LP).

Twas A Week Before Christmas

Today marks one week before Christmas, so I need to start really rolling out the goodies for you. One of my most favorite shares from last year is this little record. Almost no one has heard of it, at least in it's original form, but it's well worth discovering. This is the sort of music that will awaken memories of your early Christmases spent around the tree at grandmother's house. Go ahead, get it, you'll see! The original LP is pictured above, but it was later retitled, re-artisted (is that a word?) and reissued as the record you see below. Please be my guest and download Christmas Surprises From The Ralph Hunter Choir (RCA of Australia SL10911, 1959) aka Living Voices Sing Christmas Music (RCA Camden CAS 725, 1962). (This was my last full-record share last year so most people missed it. Don't make that mistake this year.)

Spurr Of The Moment

Here's a great record from last year that you might enjoy. It's got a bit of that great NOW sound, but not too much. And what a great cover! Just go download Christmas; Time For Song Featuring Thurlow Spurr And The Spurrlows Singing 12 Seasonal Favorites! (Word Records, WST-8310-LP, c. 1966), you'll be glad you did. Whoops, I almost forgot to post this second cover, from The Spurrlows-'Tis The Season Let Us Sing (Word WST-8310-LP), I found last year right after Christmas. I had thought at first it was another Christmas LP from The Spurrlows, but it turned out to be the same stuff. A similar experience happened to The Captain with this very same music, but with yet another cover!

The Last Week Before Christmas

The picture for this week's calendar page shows some pretty flowers, unlike the snow that many of you must be experiencing this time of year. Here in Florida, it's 80 degrees, the sun is shining, the grass is green, and the flowers are blooming. Yes, there are actually come plants around here that bloom in the winter, for whatever reason. However, these flowers are something I shot in Ohio last year sometime in September. I'm afraid I don't know what they are called, but I do remember I shot them at Stan Hywet in Akron. They have a huge garden there that they use to provide flowers to decorate the house with. Anyhow, I hope you are all enjoying the music!

Christmas Sharity Recap 2006-Week Four

OK, here's your weekly recap of all the Christmas shares here at Ernie (Not Bert). It seems like months since I started posting, but this is only week four. I don't think I've spent this much time at my computer since I first discovered Napster (the old one, that was free. And terribly illegal. But free.). Anyhow, I hope you're enjoying the music. Now here's the list.

Week The Fourth:

The Best Of Christmas In July 2006 (rerun) (114)
John Davidson-My Christmas Favorites (rerun) (46)
The Mexicali Brass-Winter Wonderland (76)
Christmas With The Mexicali Brass (101)
Tijuana Voices Sing Merry Christmas! (103)
A King Family Christmas (rerun) (60)
Christmas With The King Family (rerun) (54)
Marilyn King-My Favorite Things (rerun) (21)
The Rainbow Sound Of Bianco-Joy To The World (Stereo-44) (rerun-Mono-14)
A Visit From Saint Nicholas (48)
Lorne Greene-Must Be Santa (rerun) (99)
The Ray Charles Singers-Christmas At Home (59)
Felix Slatkin-Season's Greetings (80)
Lynn Anderson-The Christmas Album (rerun) (83)
Merry Christmas From Buck Owens And Susan Raye (rerun) (71)
Mitch Miller-Christmas Songs And Carols (71)
Merry Christmas With The KE-Notes (48)
The Jimmy Joyce Singers With Orchestra by Billy May-A Christmas To Remember (rerun) (96)
The Pied Pipers Sing Favorite Christmas Carols (rerun) (78)
The Moishe Oysher Chanukah Party (50)
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Choir Sings Christmas Carols (37)
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Choir Sings Christmas Songs-Volume 2 (29)
The Caroleers-Twas The Night Before Christmas (rerun) (50)
The Caroleer Singers And Orchestra-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (rerun) (53)
Christmas With The Don Les Harmonicats (33)
Nelson Riddle-Avon Wishes You A Happy Holiday And A Joyous New Year (26)
Nelson Riddle-The Christmas Song (19)
Hugo Winterhalter-Christmas Magic (rerun) (41)
Hugo Winterhalter-Sleigh Ride (rerun) (18)
Hugo Winterhalter-Blue Christmas b/w White Christmas (8)

Week The Third:

Muzak Christmas (rerun) (83)
Bob Coe-White Christmas/Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (rerun) (??)
Richard Keys Biggs-Christmas Bells (46)
The Sisters Of Divine Providence-Christmas Mosaic (68)
The Happy Crickets-Christmas With The Happy Crickets (rerun) (79)
Woody The Woodchuck-Christmas Sing Song (rerun) (18)
The Surfers-Christmas From Hawaii (rerun) (132)
Emilien Allard-Noels au Carillon de l'Oratoire Saint-Joseph (75)
Skitch Henderson-Winter Holiday (81)
The Ray Charles Singers-Winter Wonderland (rerun) (116)
The Ray Charles Singers-Here We Come A-Caroling (rerun) (123)
George Feyer-Echoes Of Christmas (rerun) (94)
Arthur Lynds Bigelow-Ring! Christmas Bells (59)
Christmas In Cleveland (45)
Eddie Dunstedter-The Bells Of Christmas (rerun) (74)
Eddie Dunstedter-The Bells Of Christmas Chime Again (rerun) (74)
The Three Suns-Uncle Mistletoe/Sleigh Ride (94)
Leo Addeo-Organ And Chimes Play Christmas Carols (45)
The John McCarthy Chorale-Merry Christmas Sing Along (33)
The Town Pipers-Christmas Greetings (rerun) (71)
Big Tiny Little-Christmas With Big Tiny Little (rerun) (119)
George Wright-Merry Christmas (rerun) (stereo-44) (mono-20)
George Wright-Christmas Time (42)
The Sandpipers-Frosty The Snowman (rerun) (80)
101 Strings-Christmas Moods (rerun) (80)
The Lighthouse Singers-Christmas Carols Volume II (55)
Lew White-Christmas Time (33)
Billy Crystal-The Christmas Song (rerun) (95)
Merry Christmas From The Command Family Of Recording Stars (12)
Ashley Miller-Christmas Carols (50)
Songs To Sing At Christmas Time (86)

Week The Second:

Merry Christmas From... (rerun) (11)
Dennis Day-Christmas Is For The Family (rerun) (81)
Holiday People-Holiday Disco (83)
Max Fagen-Christmas Disco Party (116)
Warner Bros Stars-We Wish You A Merry Christmas (54)
Ephrem Zimbalist, Jr.-Adeste Fidelis (46)
Walter Schuman-The Voices Of Christmas (rerun) (132)
Mitch Miller-Be A Santa (74)
Cyril Stapleton-Children's Christmas Album (rerun) (57)
Ethel Smith-Christmas Music (3)
Godfrey Malcolm & Fredrico-Chimes Of Christmas (57)
Menudo-Feliz Navidad (rerun) (47)
Jose Melis-Christmas With Melis (100)
Charo-(Mamcita) Donde Esta Santa Claus (rerun) (196)
Bruce Woodman-Christmas Carols With A Latin Lilt (65)
60 French Girls & The Christmas Bell Ringers-Joyeaux Noel (rerun) (102)
Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart-Hark The Herald Angels Swing (rerun) (83)
William Clauson-Canciones De Navidad (41)
Natal No Brasil (55)
The Snap-On Male Chorus-Carols Of Christmas (rerun) (52)
A Kimball Christmas (rerun) (38)
Christmas Classics 1963 (75)
Frank Chacksfield-Music For A Merry Christmas (95)
The Three Suns-Christmas Party (rerun) (97)
The Three Suns-Your Christmas Favorites (rerun) (27)
The Three Suns-The Sounds Of Christmas (rerun) (46)
The Three Suns-Raggin' The Scales (61)
Lester Lanin-Christmas Dance Party (101)
A Christmas Sampler (rerun) (43)
Dick Leibert-Sing And Rejoice (rerun) (27)
Dick Leibert-The Sound Of Christmas (rerun) (14)
Dick Leibert-The Happy Hits Of Christmas (rerun) (60)
Dick Leibert-A Merry Wurlitzer Christmas (60)
Buddy Cole-The Organ Plays At Christmas (23)
Buddy Cole At The Pipe Organ-Pipes And Chimes For Christmas (41)

Week The First:

Ray Conrad-The Cotton Pickin' Lift Tower (31)
Six Family Mountain-Takin' A Ride With The Wind (17)
Spencer Ross-Thanksgiving Day Parade (Rerun) (33)
The Merriest Of Christmas Pops (142)
Fred Waring-Twas The Night Before Christmas (Rerun) (163)
Fred Waring-Nutcracker Suite (65)
Pete Fountain-Candy Clarinet (Rerun) (26)
David Wayne Narrates The Little Star Of Bethlehem (34)
Eddie Layton-Organ Music For Christmas (65)
Mike Douglas-My Kind Of Christmas (Rerun) (113)
Sammy Kaye-Christmas Day With Sammy Kaye (112)
Sammy Kaye-Christmas Serenade (87)
Sammy Kaye-Year 'Round Favorites (45)
The Moog Machine-Christmas Becomes Electric (Rerun, Remastered) (197)
Avon Campaign 21 (Rerun) (52)
Danny Robinson-Deck The Halls (64)
Buddy & Bunny Burden-Christmas Favorites (Rerun) (42)
A Family Christmas Album (64)
Slim Boyd-Christmas Country Style (115)
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (Rerun) (174)

Whew! That list takes forever to put together. Some of those numbers aren't right, anyway, since the shares got deleted, then re-upped after the initial download frenzy when first posted. But they're close enough. Thanks to everyone out there for making this a great Christmas season!

25 Days Of Christmas-Day 17

This rather ragged looking 45 provides the music for tonight's contribution to 25 Days Of Christmas. It's a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells, with the added bonus of being sung in Italian. Or at least I'm assuming it's Italian. Probably... Anyhow, let me quit yapping and give you Lou Monte With Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra And Chorus-Italian Jingle Bells (RCA Victor 7" 45 rpm 47-6320, 1955). Yep, that's right, this also features Hugo Winterhalter!

Previous tracks:
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes

Hugo's The Boss, Part Three

I've read that Hugo Winterhalter released a number of 45's containing Christmas music over the years, but this is the only one I've come across. He covered the bases here pretty well, getting two different colored Christmases for the price of one. To get one step closer to the complete collection, please download Hugo Winterhalter-Blue Christmas b/w White Christmas (RCA Victor 7" 45 rpm 47-3937).

Hugo's The Boss, Part Two

Here's the first of the bonus tracks from Hugo Winterhalter I promised you. This one is also something I had for you last year. I'm still looking for that stereo copy, by the way. Until then, you'll have to enjoy this mono copy of Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra-Sleigh Ride from Wish You Were Here (RCA Victor LPM-1904, 1959). Good stuff, this.

Hugo's The Boss, Part One

Continuing on with great stuff that isn't on CD, here's an excellent set of Christmas tunes from Hugo Winterhalter that I first shared out last year. I think I wondered then about the inclusion of two tracks that didn't seem very Christmassy, "Swingin' On A Star" and "Second Star On The Right". Well, I think I have the answer now. During the past year, I stumbled upon the 10" LP shown below. It's also titled Christmas Magic (RCA Victor LPM 3132), it's also by Hugo Winterhalter, and it's got all the tracks from this release, save the two oddballs in question. So my suspicion is that RCA wanted to re-release this older record on 12" for the budget Camden line, but they wanted to fill up the vinyl. Unable to find any other actual Christmas tracks, they stuck in what they had, which was a couple of tracks with the word 'star' in the title. Sound reasonable? Then that's the story I'm going to stick to. Anyhow, this is really, really good music, so download it without delay. Here's Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra And Chorus-Christmas Magic (RCA Camden CAL-449, 1958). Stay tuned for some bonus tracks!

Riddle Me More

Here's a little bonus for you to go with that last LP I posted. (Not that it needs much more, it's one of the longest records I've posted this year. It clocked in at 40 minutes, which probably explains some of the poor sound quality, but you don't want to know about that.) What you do want is one more track from Nelson Riddle. Nelson did this LP for Reprise sometime after Nat King Cole passed away, performing many of the tracks that he had earlier recorded with Nat, only this time they are strictly instrumental. The last track on the LP is a version of Nat's The Christmas Song. So here, for you're listening pleasure, is Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra-The Christmas Song from "Nat"-An Orchestral Portrait Of Nat King Cole By Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra (Reprise RS-6162). Good stuff...

Riddle Me This

Here's another great lost Christmas LP from one of the great arrangers of his day. While not quite up there with the great Billy May in my book, Nelson Riddle had plenty of great songs to his credit. But as far as I know, he didn't release very much Christmas music. That's why I was a little surprised to find this record in my collection the other night. This appears to have been a gift from Avon to all of their sales representatives back in 1970. And what a gift. 13 songs arranged and conducted by Mr. Riddle, with vocals on 11 of them. You've heard all these songs before, but Nelson brings a little something extra to them that you you just can't get elsewhere. I've included a scan of the letter I found in the sleeve, wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the president of Avon at the time, Fred Fusee. And that goes for me, too. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc, etc, etc. My present to you is this album, Nelson Riddle Orchestra And Chorus-Avon Wishes You A Happy Holiday And A Joyous New Year (Avon AV 10170, 1970). And if you want more from Avon, go check out this post of an Avon record from two years earlier.

UPDATE: It would appear you can download this music from iTunes now, so no more share. There's been some discussion that my rip is what iTunes has for download, but more on that later...