The Lost Luboff
For my next trick, I'm going to share out the album you see above. My dad was always a big fan of The Norman Luboff Choir, but I don't remember having any of their Christmas music in our house when I was growing up. We certainly didn't have this album. I recently found a sealed copy, and knew I had to share it on the blog. Of course, once I got the sealed copy home, I realized that I already had a copy in the archives, but had never listened to it. Shame on me. This turns out to be the soundtrack to a Christmas TV special, one that I'm afraid I've never seen. I guess Rankin-Bass had the market pretty well sewn up for memorable holiday specials in the sixties and early seventies, but that doesn't mean that others weren't trying. I think there are some delightful tracks on here, and I'm sure you'll agree. So go now and download The Norman Luboff Choir-The Night Before Christmas (Elba Productions, 1968). Based on a sticker from the front of the sealed copy I found, this LP was probably originally given away to clients of the show's sponsors. Whether that was a bank or an insurance agency or whatnot, I have no idea. Note that the wording on the sticker is intended for the person giving the record away, not the person receiving the gift. Odd...
I have been on a mad hunt for this book! Even though yours is an album, I feel like I am getting closer to finding it. My mother still reads it to my family every Christmas eve, but as the years go on the book becomes more tatered..
ReplyDeleteHi. I feel compelled to respond also... I have also been on a hunt for this book for many years. My family has also read it every Christmas since I was two. The book incredibly hard to find since it has no ISBN number. And, you're right, the music is great too! bmorg, if I ever find it, I'll look you up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this one. I remember the 1968 TV special since I was about 18 years old when it was on PAX (now ION).
ReplyDeleteI just sent a link to a Megaupload, because Dave from the "Christmas Shario" and "Children's Records & More" blogs would love to hear it.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7R4KHN6S
Once again, Thanks!
I came here when Brooklyn Mouse sent me the link to the LP. I Googled the TV Special, and this was the info I found on it on one website:
ReplyDelete"This extremely hard to find animated yuletide treasure is the story of how Clement C. Moore came to write the Christmas poem beloved by generations of children. Art Linkletter originally hosted this tv special during its premier in 1968 (he is not on this version). It is backed by the music of the Norman Luboff Choir."
This website had a DVD of the special for slae, but it sounds like it is a homemade copy. It would be interesting to see it though.
Dave
I listened to this exact album when I was a little girl! I have been searching for this album so someone could put it on a cd for me. How do you find this album, and how do you download it from this site where it says to download it? Everytime I try nothing happens. Obviously I am doing something wrong. I'm hoping someone can talk me through it. I want to share this album with my children. It is eally nice. I appreciate any help I can get.
ReplyDeleteErnie,
ReplyDeleteI was looking for this one on YouTube is a TV special from 1968 and it was made by a company called Playhouse Pictures, they produced only one special for this time of the year. Thanks to Bobby from the Bobby's Kids website for finding this rare TV special. Maybe you can post it here on your blog. Thanks and enjoy!
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLeGhZSUqjM
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP1k8yYH_5c
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFJfcbegxA8
Sherie says. . .I too have very fond memories & have been on the hunt for this book & album for years. My Dad worked for MFA Insurance, now Shelter Insurance Co. in Kansas. The Company gave this book out to clients I believe or he might have given it to an orphange or needy family. I got a chance to look at it before hand and listen to it and fall in love with it, so I was not at all happy when he gave it away:/ I did manage to obtain a copied DVD a few years ago on E-Bay. Would love the book someday. Hope this helps someone!
ReplyDeleteJust in case anyone is paying attention, here's a new link...
ReplyDeletehttp://www118.zippyshare.com/v/Oj4Yrrye/file.html
Merry Christmas Ernie! Im a bit late but could I please get a re-upp on this classic soundtrack? Please & Thank You! Merry Christmas! ;)
DeleteNo need to ask three times. Check the comments here:
Deletehttps://ernienotbert.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-luboff-reborn.html
I read somewhere that Amazon had a DVD of this cartoon that came with the book. I checked there, and didn't find it.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ernie! Im a bit late but could I please get a re-upp on this classic soundtrack? Please & Thank You! Merry Christmas! ;)
ReplyDeleteThere's a newer post from 2016 that has active links in the comments.
Deletehttps://ernienotbert.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-luboff-reborn.html