I very nearly flipped past this one in the stack I was flipping through. It didn't look much like a Christmas record, and sometimes when I get on autopilot, that's all I'm keying off of. But something in my head clicked and I flipped back to it, and I'm glad I did. This record was released in support of Oxfam charities back in 1967, features some really great versions of your favorite Christmas tunes, and even has a spoken introduction by
David Frost, well known English television personality and brother of seasonal troublemaker
Jack Frost. I had some issues with trying to put a date on this one, as it clearly says 1961 on the label, but all of the info I could find online said 1967. That's a pretty big difference, but I finally decided it had to be 1967 based on David Frost's career arc. Perhaps the music was recorded earlier, or the arrangements were copyrighted then or something, I don't know. Anyhow, the music is really good, I'm sure you will enjoy it. And
Oxfam is still a going concern, so if you're so inclined, you can visit their website and make a donation if you enjoy the music. This is
The Gregory Orchestra And Chorus-
David Frost Introduces A Christmas Record For Oxfam (Flamingo (Philips) SPL.155, 1967, Stereo).
1. David Frost-Oxfam Introduction
2. I Saw Three Ships
3. Good King Wenceslas
4. Silent Night, Holy Night
5. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
6. Once In Royal David's City
7. Away In A Manger
8. The Holly And The Ivy
9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
10. Here We Come A-Wassailing
11. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
12. The First Noel
13. O Come, All Ye Faithful
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OXFAM = Oxford Committee for Famine Relief. They do good work.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wonderful posts!
ReplyDeleteYes, OXFAM is a great organization!
Speaking of David (not Jack) Frost, is there any chance you can post the 'From David Frost and Billy Taylor -- Merry Christmas' album? I really dig the one track I've heard from it and would love to hear the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteI've got that other David Frost LP somewhere. I remember giving it a listen and not thinking it was anything special. But if I see it, maybe I'll add it to the pile.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the 70s with this record being played every Christmas Day and BEFORE we were allowed to open any presents. No idea where the LP is now, so it was great to find it again ready for my children this year. Many many thanks from England, Ernie :)
ReplyDeleteTomsie
Any ides where I can buy this? I only want it for the photograph on the flip-side of the cover. It cahnged my life forever. Anyone who has seen it will know why.
ReplyDeleteRudi Affolter
No idea where you might be able to buy a copy these days, but for what it's worth, there's a scan of the back cover in the download.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Tomsie's post above, this was played every Christmas in our house way back when...
ReplyDeleteNow that I have found your blog I am listening again to these favourites as we decorate the tree with my 9 year old.
Many thanks and a donation to Oxfam will follow