A Carillon For The Birds

If you read my last post, you'll know what I'm about to throw up here. This is an LP that attracted me primarily for it's cover, but it turned out that the music was at least slightly interesting, but mostly for what snuck into the recording that shouldn't be there. You've seen all sorts of Christmas on a carillon records here at the blog in past years, but I think this is the first one this year. What you probably haven't heard on any of my other carillon records is the birds that normally live in the bell tower. But on this record, they are included. I was somewhat shocked to hear them when I was recording the record. They're just chirping away in the background, clear as day, seemingly unperturbed by the huge bells pealing away a few feet from where they must have been perched. I wondered if they had been noticed back in 1955 when this was recorded, and sure enough, a close reading of the liner notes mentions them. How hi the fi, indeed! So download this for yourself and listen to the birdies sing along. This is Arthur Lynds Bigelow, Bell Master-Princeton University-Christmas Carillon (Columbia CL 750, Mono, 1955).

1. Adeste Fideles
2. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
3. The First Noel
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
5. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
6. Nu Zijt Willecome
7. Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella
8. Les Agnes Dans Nos Campagnes
9. What Child Is This Who Laid To Rest
10. Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging
11. Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht
12. Away In A Manger
13. O Tannenbaum
14. Deck The Hall With Boughs Of Holly
15. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
16. I Came Upon The Midnight Clear
17. Joy To The World