Christmas In July 2008-Day 32

Surprise! Did you think I was done? Just because it's August doesn't mean I can't still celebrate a little bit of Christmas in July. In fact, what I've got here are the last few tracks that I had ready to go, but didn't manage to squeeze them in anywhere else, plus a couple of tracks that I never got around to recording last month, but didn't want to leave them lying there until next year. It turns out to be a fairly big pile of spares, actually, so here goes!

The first five tracks are from a record put out by The Music Company Of North America called New Music Directory-Concert Band Edition (The Music Company Of North America MCNA 1986-2, 1986). These are sample songs for which they will sell you the music and arrangements and your school band performs them at concerts. I found these to be a little interesting, but nothing you're going to write home about. The songs include A Charlie Brown Christmas, December Fireside, Greensleeves, Happiness Is Christmas and Only Santa Knows.

Next up are three tracks by Andre Previn Conducting The London Symphony Orchestra from the album entitled Andre Previn Conducts (Angel S-37021, 1974). These include Fantasia On "Greensleeves", March Miniature From "The Nutcracker" and Waltz Of The Flowers From "The Nutcracker". I had hoped to share out several side-long collections of music from The Nutcracker this year (Like last year), but I didn't get around to it. Maybe next year.

Track nine is Suite No. 1, Op. 43: Marche Miniature by The Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, Conductor from the LP Marches In Hi-Fi (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2229, 1958). Is this from The Nutcracker also? I'm not sure... And you've seen this LP earlier in the month. Plus, you've seen the actual LP before...

Track 10 is Skaters Waltz from the album Dance Party (Plymouth P-12-83) by the Plymouth Dance Orchestra. Nothing too exciting, I'm afraid.

Track eleven is Sleigh Ride by Thomas Hascomb Conducting The International Theatre Orchestra from the album Music Of Leroy Anderson (Hurrah HS-1011). I could have brought you plenty of different versions like this from various Leroy Anderson tributes, but I tried to limit myself. You're welcome.

Track twelve is another Tchaikovsky, this time it's spelled Tchaikowsky: March From The Nutcracker, Op. 71 by Arthur Winograd Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London, taken from the LP Marches For Children (Audio Fidelity FCS 50,007, 1959).

Track thirteen. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. The Simon Sisters. The Simon Sisters Sing For Children (Columbia CR 21539, 1973). One sisters name is Lucy, the others name is Carly.

Last but not least is another Victor Herbert medley, this one encompassing Ah! Sweet Mystery Of Life, Sweethearts Waltz, March Of The Toys, Toyland, Streets Of New York and Thine Alone. It's performed by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra from the LP Music Of Victor Herbert (Columbia Masterworks ML 4430). If nothing else, it's long.

There. Now I'm done. Everything else in the Christmas in July 2008 folder is either a repeat that I didn't catch before recording it, or a mono version that was later supplanted by a stereo copy, or not really a Christmas tune. Here's the download link. Oh, and there was a day 32 in 2007, but not 2006.

Big thanks to everyone out there who downloaded some tracks. Especially those of you who took the time to comment. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Don't forget to come back after Thanksgiving, there might be a tune or two here worth downloading. Maybe...