Christmas In July-The First Day

Yes, I know.  I've been neglecting the blog lately.  I just haven't been in the mood.  I don't know why, it just hasn't been something I felt like messing with.  But suddenly, here it is July, and I've got a tradition to uphold.  For the past three years, I've shared out Christmas music during the month of July.  Not just any Christmas music, but songs that have a holiday bent from albums that don't have anything to do with the holidays.  It's an odd hobby, but it keeps me off the streets.  I don't know that I've got enough music or drive to last me the whole month, but I'm going to give it a go.  I came home from work tonight and ripped five songs for you, and I think I had about ten that I ripped sometime right after Christmas that I'll eventually get to.  That means it's not going to be too many each day.  I'm starting out today with the five I just recorded, and we'll go from there.  So, let's see what's in Santa's bag tonight.  I'm starting off with Julius La Rosa singing one of the hit songs from the Broadway musical Mame, which I'm sure you've already guessed is We Need A Little Christmas.  I grabbed this from his LP You're Gonna Hear From Me (MGM E-4398, Mono, 1966).  From there we move to the great (and long-time blog favorite) Paul Mauriat doing the old Harry Simeone rip-off The Little Drummer Boy.  No idea why this didn't show up on his Christmas record(s), I recorded it off of Listen Too! The Fabulous Paul Mauriat Orchestra (Philips PHS 600-197, Stereo, 1965). Next up is Warren Covington And His Orchestra telling us that Baby It's Cold Outside from his LP Dancing Trombones (Decca DL 74352, Stereo, 1963).  Fourthly we have The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Alfred Newman performing Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Marche! (Capitol SP8479, Stereo, 1959).  Lastly, and probably leastly, we have the old chestnut Greensleeves (which has the same tune as What Child Is This) by Jo Basile, His Accordion And Orchestra from the record Around The World With Jo Basile, His Accordion And Orchestra (Audio Fidelity AFSD 6153, Stereo, 1966).  And that's it for the first night.  Nice eclectic mix there.  And here's the download link.  Have at it!  Merry Christmas in July to all of you!