Airborn!

Pretty good shot of this great egret, don't'cha think? Right place, right time.

Snake In A Tree

I had a chance to get out and shoot today, and I got lucky when I stumbled across this red rat snake. For some reason, he was hanging out in a tree right by a pretty popular nature trail near the beach. I don't think there was anything to eat up there, but I suspect he scared a tourist or two. I tried to grab him and pull him down out of the tree, but all I got for my trouble was a handful of red snake poop. I got a couple of decent pictures out of the encounter, though, so I guess the handful of poop was worth it. I can't think of the last time I got decent shots of a snake, they are pretty few and far between.

Big & Brassy

Never one to take the same picture as all the other tourists, I want to point out that I shot the wrong end of the famous bull in New York first. Of course, I walked around to the other end and got a normal shot, but I started elsewhere. This guy isn't on the actual Wall Street, as you might think, but just around the corner, on Broadway, I think it is.

Birds In New York?

Now that the big Christmas rush is over, I can go back to sharing some pictures with you. I'm thinking about going back and revisiting the photographs from some of the great places I visited this year. I didn't do a great job of showing you all of the great pictures I took this year, so I should be able to find plenty of pictures you haven't seen before. Like this cormorant. I know they are pretty common around here, but I didn't expect to find this one in New York Harbor, just off Staten Island. Look close and you'll see both The Statue Of Liberty and The Empire State Building in the background. Also, the location of the Twin Towers of The World Trade Center is on the right side of this picture. It was a bad day for pictures, but I had to get out and shoot anyway. I think I may have actually taken this on 9/11 of this year.

Eartha Kitt, RIP

How sad to discover on the way home from Christmas last night that Eartha Kitt had passed away. She was an icon of music, and an even bigger icon of Christmas. I can't think of any other artist that had a larger presence at Christmas that recorded fewer Christmas songs. After her huge hit Santa Baby, I think she only had a couple of follow-up Christmas singles, and they're pretty hard to find. And her non-Christmas recordings are pretty good, too. I think this marks the third or fourth Christmas in a row we've lost someone who's made an important contribution to holiday music. Sad. Anyhow, you can find an alternate version of her Santa Baby at this earlier post. Eartha made this re-recording after she left RCA.

Twas The Day After Christmas

Hello Everybody! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. I haven't had the chance to post anything for the past few days. I did have to spend a little time buying some presents and getting ready for my own Christmas. Hope you get everything your little heart desired under your tree. Now that the season is over, and can take a break and get a few more hours sleep. Big thanks to everyone who downloaded my music shares and sent me an email or left a comment. That's what makes it all worth while. I've got so much stuff to catch up on now, I don't even know where to start.

Kiddie Two

And here is the other kiddie record I promised you for this evening. If possible, this one is even worse than the last one. But you know you're going to download it and listen anyway. I tell you what, while I have your attention, let me point you towards Kiddie Records Weekly. They have all the good kiddie records, and they've been sharing them out for three years now. Also, they just announced that after taking a break for the past year, they are coming back for another year's worth of great music, starting January first! So head on over there and get some great kiddie music. For some poor-to-mediocre kiddie music, download Simon Says-Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer And Other Christmas Favorites (Record Guild Of America SSX-1, Mono).

1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
4. The Night Before Christmas
5. Jingle Bells
6. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
7. We Are Not Beggars
8. Joy To The World
9. The First Noel
10. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
13. O Come All Ye Faithful
14. Silent Night

Kiddie One

Here's the first of two kiddie records I want to share with you tonight. I'd ever seen either of them before this year, but that doesn't always mean anything. Records that were in wide release in one area of the country sometimes saw no distribution whatsoever in a different area. But living in Florida, I often get the best of both worlds. When folks retire to this area from all over the country, they bring their record collections with them. Then, when they downsize or clear out, or, sometimes pass away, those records make their way to my local thrift stores, and I get stuff from everywhere. Perhaps that's the story with these records. With the kids grown and gone, who needs kiddie Christmas records? But enough small talk, please download Santa's Toy Shop Party (Panda Children's Records PAN X001, Mono). Half of this record is Christmas, but the other side is only marginally related. You'll see what I mean when you give it a listen. Oh, the artist on that cover is George Buckett. Not sure if I like it or not...

1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Jingle Bells
3. Up On The House Tops
4. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
5. Santa's Surprise
6. Toy Town
7. Alakazam, The Magic Man
8. Wooden Soldiers On Parade
9. I Want A Teddy Bear

The Fourth Week-Slowing Way Down

Another week closer to Christmas! This will probably be the last wrap-up that I post for you, since there are only four days left to Christmas. This past week has seen a real slowdown in my shares, I'm afraid. I've still put up plenty of new stuff, but the reposts of older stuff have pretty much been non-existent. And don't even ask about my 27 Days Of Christmas collection, 'cause I don't know what happened, either. But Christmas will come again next year, and maybe things will be better then. Here's what all I shared with you this week.:

Jimmy Sturt-Polka Christmas In My Hometown
The Men's Choir Of St. Hedwig's-Polish Christmas Carols
Bob Braun-Christmas In Your Heart
The Three Suns-A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas! (Now in Stereo)
Richard Ellsasser-Michael Carr's Wintertime Suite
The Somerset Strings-Music For Christmas At Home
Christmas With Terry Charles
The Henry Snow Singers-The Little Drummer Boy
Emilien Allard-Noels au Carillon de l'Oratoire Saint-Joseph (rerun)
John Klein-Let's Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree (Now in Stereo)
John Klein-Caroling On The Carillon
Fontanna-Christmas At Home
Dartmouth Glee Club-White Christmas On The Campus
Owen Bradley-Organ And Chimes
Noel Stevens Woodwind Quintet-The Noel Sound

The Third Week:

Favorite Songs Of Christmas
Bert Jones-Christmas Messages In Music
Arthur Godfrey-All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (Now in Stereo)
Ruth Welcome-Christmas In Zitherland (rerun)
Cyril Stapleton-Children's Christmas Album (rerun)
Bob Kames-Merry Christmas
Bob Kames-Happy Holidays
Bob Kames-It's Christmas Time
Bob Kames-15 Songs Of Christmas
Lester Lanin-Christmas Dance Party (Now in Stereo)
George Chiainia-Music Of The Holiday Season
The Holiday Bells-Ring The Bells On Christmas Day
John Robert Carwithen-The Bells On Christmas Morn
A Christmas Sampler (rerun)
The Jimmy Joyce Singers-A Christmas To Remember (rerun)
The Randolph Singers-Christmas Carols, Volume 2
We Wish You A Merry Christmas (rerun)
Music Boxes For Christmas
The Sounds Of Christmas
Bianco-Joy To The World (rerun)
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (rerun)
The Gene Lowell Chorus-Caroling Caroling
The Deutschmeister Band-Christmas Carols

The Second Week:

Seeburg Music Library (rerun)
Muzak Christmas (rerun)
Muzak-Stimulus Progression Number Three-Christmas
Roger Williams-Christmas Time (rerun)
George Greeley-The 22 Best Loved Christmas Piano Concertos
Paul Mauriat-The Christmas Album (rerun)
Raymond Lefevre-Merry Christmas (rerun)
Dino Martinelli Plays Music For Christmas
The Music City Choral-Christmas Favorites Featuring Little Drummer Boy
A Family Christmas Album (rerun)
Buddy & Bunny Burden-Christmas Favorites (rerun)
The Music City Choral And Orchestra-White Christmas And Other Holiday Favorites (rerun)
The Pete King Chorale-Christmas Time (Now In Stereo!)
Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart-Hark The Herald Angels Swing (rerun)
Robert Way-New England Sleigh Ride (Remastered)
Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm Singing Songs Of Christmas
Sy Mann-Everybody's Christmas Favorites (rerun)
The Moog Machine-Christmas Becomes Electric (rerun)
Madrid Concert Orchestra And Chorus-Christmas In Spain
Grace Castagnetta-Christmas On The Siena Pianoforte (rerun)
Merry Christmas From (rerun)
Ace Cannon-Christmas Cheers
Charo-(Mamacita) Donde Esta Santa Claus (rerun)
Arthur Lynds Bigelow-Christmas Carillon
Arthur Lynds Bigelow & Marjorie MacComb-Ring! Christmas Bells (rerun)
Marion Anderson Sings Christmas Carols
The Lighthouse Singers-Christmas Carols (rerun)
Yogi Yorgesson-Yingle Bells (rerun)
Johnny Nash-Prince Of Peace
The Ralph Hunter Choir-Christmas Surprises (remaster)
Heidi, The Pocketbook Doll-The Night Before Christmas
Gary Mann-Blues For Baby Jesus (rerun)
Frankie Yankovic-Christmas Party (rerun)

The First Week:

Hank Sylvern-Christmas In Hi-Fi: Chimes, Bells And Organ
Larry Ferrari-I Wish You The Merriest
Loretta Young-The Littlest Angel and Gregory Peck-Lullaby Of Christmas (rerun)
Burgess Meredith With Joe Reisman's Orchestra And Chorus-Christmas Classics 1963 (rerun)
Frank Chacksfield-Music For A Merry Christmas (rerun)
Nelson Riddle-Avon Wishes You A Happy Holiday And A Joyous New Year (rerun)
Avon Goes On Record (rerun)
Christmas With Ogden Nash
Felix Slatkin-Season's Greetings (rerun)
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Choir Sings Christmas Carols (rerun)
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Choir Sings Christmas Songs (rerun)
Jimmie Davis-It's Christmas Time Again
Pete Fountain-Candy Clarinet (rerun)
Big 'Tiny' Little-Christmas With Big Tiny Little (rerun)
Veo Gray And The Jodie Lyons Singers-A Christmas Happening
Lorne Greene-Must Be Santa 45 (rerun)
The Sisters Of Divine Providence-Christmas Mosaic (rerun)
The Glen Riddle Franciscans-Choral Group-Sisters Of St. Francis-We Sing Of Christmas (rerun)
The Bison Glee Club-The Joy Of Christmas (rerun)
The Cardinal's Cathedral Choristers-Carols Of The Nations
Christmas In Cleveland (rerun)
A Kimball Christmas (rerun)
The Candy Store-Turned On Christmas
Christmas 1968 With The Going Thing (rerun)
The Joy Strings-Well Seasoned (rerun)
Maurice Copeland-How We Got Our Christmas Customs
Maurice Copeland & Adele Scott-Squanto And The First Thanksgiving
Spencer Ross-Thanksgiving Day Parade 45 (rerun)
The Blazers & The Yodelin' Guides-Track!
Ray Conrad-The Cotton-Pickin' Lift Tower And Other Skiing Songs (rerun)
Six Family Mountain-Takin' A Ride With The Wind (rerun)

Thanks again for all your support and comments!

More Polka

If there's one thing you can't have too much of at Christmas time, it's polka music! And here's a good one, the first time I've shared out a double record here at the blog. Record one is fun polkas, and record two is more traditional Polish Christmas music, but you'll enjoy it all. I didn't think I was going to be able to bring you this one this year. I pulled out a copy and started to record it, but I only had one of the two records. Several months later I discovered another copy in the archives, and it had both records in it. So that allowed me to finish up the recording and share it. Please download and enjoy Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra With The Jimmy Sturr Singers & The Matusz Singers-Polka Christmas In My Hometown (Starr Records/Bruno-Dean Enterprises R-BS-116, Stereo, 1979).

1. Christmas In My Hometown
2. Churchbells Are Ringing
3. Jingle Bells Polka
4. The Christmas Song
5. Santa's Super Sonic Sleigh
6. On This Christmas Day
7. O! Holy Night
8. Twinkle Toes
9. Little Boy Jesus
10. Merry Christmas Polka
11. Wśród Nocnej Ciszy (In The Still Of The Night)
12. Dzisiaj W Betlejem (Today In Bethlehem)
13. Przylecieli Aniolkowie (The Angels Came)
14. W Zlobie Lezy (Away In A Manger)
15. My Tez Pastuszkowie (We Too Are Shepherds)
16. Pojdzmy Wszyscy Do Stajenki (To The Manger)
17. Sliczna Panienka (Beautiful Lady)
18. Medrcy Swiata (Kings Of The World)
19. Lulajze Jezuniu (Sleep Little Jesus)
20. Pasterze Mili (Shepherds Mild)
21. Tryumfy Krola Niebieskiego (Triumphant King Of Heaven)
22. Hej W Dzien Narodzenia (Hail! The Day Of His Birth)
23. Nowy Rok Biezy (New Year Begins)

Polish Christmas

Several weeks ago, I told a buddy of mine at work about a couple albums I had of Polish Christmas music. He didn't seem to care at the time, but later he asked me when they'd come around. As Christmas got closer, he asked more and more. So I'm finally getting to this record the Sunday before Christmas. Sorry it's so late, but at least I got to it. There are so many records I recorded this year that I'm not going to be able to share like I wanted to. Life has a way of changing your plans for you sometimes, whether you like it or not. But that's all beside the point, you're here for some Christmas music. Please download The Men's Choir Of St. Hedwig's-Polish Christmas Carols (Custom Pressed By Columbia Record Production SRS-513, Stereo).

1. Narodzil Sie Jezus Chrystus (Christ Is Born)
2. W Zlobie Lezy (In The Manger)
3. Dzisiaj W Betlejem (Today In Bethlehem)
4. Tryumfy Krola Niebieskiego (Triumph Of The Heavenly King)
5. Sliczna Panienka (Beautiful Maiden)
6. Wesola Nowine (Happy Tidings)
7. Wsrod Nocnej Ciszy (At Midnight)
8. Pospieszcie (Hasten Shepherds)
9. Kolysanka (Lullaby)
10. Lulajze (Go To Sleep)
11. Znarodzenia Pana (Master's Birth)
12. A De-ste Fideles
13. Chrystus, Chrystus (Christ, Christ)

Christmas Braun

I meant to put this one up as soon as The Captain posted his Ruth Lyons shares, but I forgot. The fellow you're looking at above is Bob Braun, and for many years he was Ruth Lyons' sidekick on television. When she retired, he took over the top spot. Now, I didn't know any of that when I bought this record, I just grabbed it because it was something and someone I'd never seen before. I became suspicious when I saw the song writing credits on here, and then I actually stopped and read the liner notes, and I knew I had something I needed to share. So please be my guest and download Bob Braun, Orchestra Conducted By Leroy Holmes-Christmas In Your Heart (United Artists UAS 6664, Stereo, 1968).

1. Christmas In Your Heart
2. Everywhere The Bells Are Ringing
3. Do You Hear What I Hear
4. A Marshmellow (sic) World
5. A Child's First Christmas
6. Let's Light The Christmas Tree
7. Christmas Lullaby
8. Winter Wonderland
9. That's What Christmas Means To Me
10. I'll Be Home For Christmas
11. Christmas Medley