St. Luke

A special little treat from you here, again from crusty old 10" records spinning at 78 RPM. What you are looking at is what many record historians regard as the first true Christmas album. This collection of four 10" records was created as a set, to be sold together, not as a collection of singles as all other Christmas albums had been prior to this.  Not that there were too many before this, but there were.  This one hails from 1944, and I'm sure it was a welcome diversion to the strife of WWII, though I'm not sure who would have been able to afford it at the time, or how Capitol was able to press up copies.  But such mysteries lend a little interest to life, I suppose.  This is a bit rough in places, and it certainly sounds like it was ripped from shellac.  I think I have two copies of this, and I picked and chose the best I could.  So for a step back in time, please download and enjoy Capitol Presents Christmas Carols By The St. Luke's Choristers-William Ripley Dorr, Conductor (Capitol Album A-2 4x10" 78 RPM, Mono, 1944).  Why are there nine tracks?  The last side features two songs, that's how!

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis)
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
4. The First Nowel (aka The First Noel)
5. Silent Night
6. Away In A Manger
7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
9. Christmas Eve Is Here

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