Christmas In July 2008-Day 13

Here's your Christmas In July for Sunday the 13th. It's a large collection of songs that come from the more sacred side of the holiday. Seven songs is the most I've crammed into a share this year, and I think that's the most ever for a single day in Christmas in July. So let's get started.

Tracks one and two are both from John Raitt and his album Under Open Skies (Capitol ST1058). I'd only seen original soundtrack albums from John Raitt before this one, so I was excited about seeing it and then finding out there were Christmas related tracks on it to share. The two songs are Sweet Little Jesus Boy and I Wonder As I Wander.

Track three is a medley of Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring and Silent Night from a private label album called Keyboard Keepsakes (Pinebrook PB1607) by Rose Marie Lehmann. I don't know anything more about artist or album, I'm afraid. But it is autographed!

Track four is the well-known Hallelujah Chorus, performed here by members of The Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Choir under the direction of Robert Shaw. It's from the double album Yours Is My Heart Alone/All-Time Favorites (RCA Victor Red Seal VCS-7023 (2xLP), 1963).

Track five is another version of Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by the great duo Ferrante & Teicher. This is from one of their very early albums, Ferrante And Teicher (Westminster XWN 18786), but as the back of the album points out, it's not an album of prepared piano music.

Track six is a different song called Ave Maria (different from all the versions I shared earlier, that is). This one is by the Franciscan Choir of Mt. Alvernia, NY, and the album The Sons Of St. Francis Sing (ABC-Paramount ABC-206). That earlier share of all the different versions of Ave Maria is my least-downloaded share this season. It's been up for a while, but it has fewer downloads than the stuff I shared yesterday. I guess no one likes it.

Track seven is, oh look, it's another version of Ave Maria. Sorry. This one is by David Nadien And His Violin from his album Humoresque (Kapp KL-1342). At least if I share it out with other tracks, maybe it'll actually get some downloads.

There you go, here's the download link. Don't neglect the past, go download the shares from this day in 2006 and 2007. There's some good stuff there in the archives!