The Last Jedi

Sorry, no Christmas music for you today.  I wasted the entire day away, but in a good way.  I went to see the new Star Wars movie, and I thought it was so good, I went to see it again.  Really, really good.  Go see it.

A Random List

I've got a bunch of reshares from last year that I've re-upped, but I've not been able to find the time to link them at the old posts.  So here's a big long list of random shares for you.  I'm not even going to tell you what they are.  You want them, click on the link and it will tell you the file name.  Think of it as potluck.  :)

http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/8hqm8mEu/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/bTK8XPKF/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/3zWgZG4u/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/JxbGG4pN/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/uoNQJ52m/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/qiMlJ6Ec/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/z6jLI1U9/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/gRfKlR1c/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/dSkdsjER/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/UgApIhQz/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/2DRcDBwo/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/ciQgvtFB/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/bDeN0rDL/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/CndLWP01/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/LgpwNJyq/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/IZ16TvPr/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/3aLbQtJ5/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/zyfR3wS2/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/PyPUDJEs/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/DHalD7ff/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/htIAmOj2/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/A1o9Xq2w/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/9ulQObdZ/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/1qcJHCdJ/file.html
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/CTfNpIqM/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/1aCGKRus/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/budo4JTf/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/Vu8lv97N/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/84z3lc2f/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/DjK5srPn/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/lNBVilT5/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/pvbtwmxO/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/gyrj7yKR/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/LFlaFLqu/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/W8mnMb5a/file.html
http://www28.zippyshare.com/v/hu5TGRiH/file.html

I hate to just dump these, but they're about to expire and I don't want to loose them.  Enjoy!

Christmas Talk

Some of you may know what that's a picture of, but I may have to explain it to others.  Back in the sixties, Capitol Records would distribute shows to radio stations highlighting all their new records.  Sometimes they were just albums featuring new tracks, but sometimes they were actual shows with a DJ and interviews of the artists.  Some of these are special seasonal versions, and that's side one of the above record, or as they term it, side 83 since this is the 42nd record in the series.  I've got some of the others, but this is the first Christmas one I've ever found.  Well, that's not true, I've found one of the bare-tracks one, and it's not something I can share.  I did rip it and discovered all the tracks on it are edited versions that cut each song down to about two minutes.  But I digress.  Side one of this LP is a show about Tennessee Ernie Ford's then-new LP The Story of Christmas.  Ernie was accompanied by Roger Wagner on this album, and he shows up here as well, which is no surprise, since the host of the show is his brother, Jack Wagner.  I've left it as one big long track, the same way it was presented on the vinyl.  There's really not much interview here, it's mostly songs from the new album, but it's more than worth a listen.  I also threw in the flip side, which is a show about new releases in Capitol's budget Star Line, but with absolutely no Christmas content.  Please download and give a listen to Jack Wagner-Silver Platter Service Sides 83 & 84 (Capitol PRO 3083/3084, Mono, 1964).

Zippyshare

More Spurrlow

You know me, I'm always trying to complete the set.  And to help you complete your Thurlow Spurr collection, here's an LP he made with someone called Terry Winch.  I'm not the biggest fan of this style of music, but some of you may like it.  I liked his other one much, much better, though that one isn't for everyone, either.  Give it a try, you never know.  This is Thurlow Spurr And Terry Winch-Christmas Is (Melody Music 28 LPS 0246, Stereo, 1981). Recorded this one two years ago, but never got around to finishing it until tonight.  I wanted to make sure I got it out with his other Christmas LP for you.  Pretty sure he has more Christmas music as well, but I don't have any of it.

1. Celebrate Christmas In Your Heart
2. Silent Night
3. Joy To The World/O Come All Ye Faithful
4. The Birthday Of A King/O Holy Night
5. Jesus Is The Prince Of Peace
6. Remember
7. The Star Carol
8. Heaven Our Home
9. Fairest Lord Jesus
10. Medley Of Christmas Carols

Zippyshare

Hunting High And Spurrlow

Let me start over.  I wrote all of this out, then things changed.  I first shared this record with you in 2005, then again in 2006 & 2009.  I then re-recorded it in 2012, but never shared it.  I went to reshare it tonight, but I couldn't find the record to scan the artwork.  Some digging in the archives turned up some raw scans that never got finished, so I did my thing to get you new-ish artwork.  And then I found the original rip from 2012 on the hard drive and re-encoded it to full bitrate, except it's still in stereo and I think the record was in mono. On top of all that, I've always had a hard time with the shares of this particular LP staying up for very long, so if you want it, grab it quick!  This is Christmas; Time For Song Featuring Thurlow Spurr And The Spurrlows Singing 12 Seasonal Favorites! (Chrysler Motors Corporation C-5079 "Not For Resale", Stereo/Mono?, 1963).  Pretty sure this one was a promo deal for The Chrysler Corp back in the day, later released on the Word label with both this cover and another one.  Sorry if all that is clear as mud.  Just download it and give it a listen, it's a fun record.

1. Joy To The World
2. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. Away In A Manger
4. The First Noel
5. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
6. Silent Night, Holy Night
7. Jingle Bells
8. White Christmas
9. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
10. The Little Drummer Boy
11. Winter Wonderland
12. The Christmas Song

Zippyshare

Montana The New

Here's a little something to go with my last post, though I don't think the two sound much the same.  This is another Christmas record headlined by Vincent Montana, Jr., this time in a much less disco much more smooth jazz vein.  There's certainly some good stuff on here, but it's very different from much of the stuff I share around here.  I'd never seen or heard of this one before, but I happened to stumble across two copies at a little antique mall in Ellicott City, Maryland, this summer.  This one came back with me in my carry-on, as frequently happens with me.  If you like the sound of vibes, I think you'll enjoy this one.  And it's quite long, too, for vinyl.  This is Montana Sextet-Christmas Time Is Here (Philly Sound Works PSW-LP004, Stereo, 1987).  That's much later than I usually like to share, but this it's still thirty years ago...

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
2. The Christmas Song
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. Christmas Time Is Here (Harp)
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
6. Snowfall
7. Little Drummer Boy Jam
8. Christmas Time Is Here (Vibes)

Zippyshare

Montana The Old

I don't think I've given you any disco this year, mostly because I don't think I've found anything new, but here's something from the archives that should scratch that itch.  You may not know the name Vincent Montana, Jr., but you've heard his music.  He was a bigwig involved with the original Philly Sound & a founding member of MFSB, then he went on to found the Salsoul label where he spearheaded Christmas Jollies, the most famous Christmas disco record of all time. Later on he started up a couple other labels, recording this gem along the way.  I first shared this out in 2007, so the sound may be a little rough, but I'm sure there's something here worth listening to.  Please enjoy Montana Orchestra-Merry Christmas (MJS Records MJS 3302, Stereo, 1981) . This may have been a little past the heyday of disco the first time around, but nobody told Montana that disco had died.

1. Montana Christmas Medley
2. Get Down New Year's Eve
3. New Year's Eve One More Time (Reprise)

Zippyshare

The Return Of The King (Sorta) Part 2

Another Elvis-related post from the archives, also first shared in 2011, but this time a full Christmas LP from someone calling themselves Elvis Jr. A name like that carries a lot of weight, and I'm not sure he carried it with dignity and grace here.  But it's still Christmas, and you know how I love Christmas music!  This is Christmas Blessings From Elvis Jr (Son Records BS 003, Stereo, 1986).

1. Silent Night (With Robbie Le Moine)
2. Silver Bells
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Blue Christmas
5. Jingle Bells
6. Rudolph The Red Nose (SIC) Reindeer
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. Frosty The Snowman
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Amazing Grace
11. Peace In The Valley
12. White Christmas

Zippyshare

The Return Of The King (Sorta)

OK, maybe not the return of The King, but at least a tribute to him, and in two different versions!  You can read all of the details about this song and it's dueling versions at the original post from 2011, though I'm afraid there's not much detail there.  Maybe someone will come along this time and tell us all about both of these versions and Ms. Cody.  Maybe...  This is Michelle Cody singing Merry Christmas Elvis (Jimbo 892, Stereo) and Merry Christmas Elvis b/w All I Want For Christmas Is My Daddy (Safari SA 601, Stereo, 1978). Enjoy!

1. Michele Cody-Merry Christmas Elvis (Jimbo Version)
1. Michele Cody-Merry Christmas Elvis (Safari Version)
2. Michele Cody-All I Want For Christmas Is My Daddy

Zippyshare

Apollo II

Here's another entry in my quest to bring back all the old shares that never got any comments.  This time it's from 2011 and features the members of a singing social club from Minneapolis.  That's exactly what you're looking for when it comes to Christmas music, I'm sure, especially if you happened to know someone in the club!  At least it's on the somewhat famous Soma label!  This is Christmas With The Internationally Famous Apollo Club (Soma MG 1216, Mono).

1. Shepherds, Awake
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. Mary Had A Baby
4. Carol Of The Bells
5. Silent Night
6. The Innkeeper's Carol
7. As It Fell Upon The Night
8. O Bone Jesu
9. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
10. Luther's Cradle Hymn
11. Deck The Halls

Zippyshare

Rhymes With Sperry Domo

For the first time this year, I had the artwork for a share done before I recorded a single note.  Mostly because I thought I had already ripped this 45, but I was mistaken.  So when I went to share it, I couldn't find it.  I just sat down and ripped it real quick so I could get something new up tonight.  The title 'Kissing Bridge' may not sound like a Christmas song, but it is. And if you listen closely to the middle of the song, you'll hear a special guest star who shall remain nameless, but he's pretty well-known, I think you'll be able to figure it out.  My copy of this record was in a generic sleeve when I found it, but if you hunt around the net, there is a picture sleeve that features the disembodied, floating, bisected head of said guest artist.  It's weird.  Anyhow, this is The Fontane Sisters With Hugo Winterhalter-Kissing Bridge b/w Silver Bells (RCA Victor 7" 45 RPM 47-5524, Mono, 1953).

Zippyshare

Great Grant

Another of the small handful of shares that's remained up all year, this was also one of the items that got posted after Christmas last year, so I'm thinking it's doubly worthy of a reshare this season.  I was not aware of any Christmas music from Earl Grant other than his great Christmas album, and a stray track here and there, but then I discovered this Christmas single.  And upon listening to it, I decided it may very well be the greatest Christmas music he ever recorded.  Don't believe me?  Then you'd better download and listen to Earl Grant-Swingin' Christmas b/w Christmas Card (Decca 7" 45 RPM 9-31022, Mono, 1959) as soon as possible!.

1. Swingin' Christmas
2. Christmas Card

Zippyshare

Glen, Not Nelson

From the request lines, one that goes way, way back to 2007, with only a single reposting in 2008, then nothing until now.  Ten years ago really seems like the dark ages now, doesn't it?  This is pretty obscure but it's got a great cover and the nuns do a nice job on the singing.  This is from before ClickRepair, and I can't tell you exactly what bitrate it's at but it's low by today's standards.  But if you're looking for this, you ain't gonna find it too many other places.  This is The Glen Riddle Franciscans-Choral Group-Sisters Of St. Francis-We Sing Of Christmas (Private Pressing LPM-2, Mono).

1. Joy To The World-The First Noel
2. What Child Is This
3. Carol Of The Drum
4. Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. In Dulci Jubilo
6. Carol Of The Friendly Beasts
7. Silent Night
8. Ring Those Christmas Bells
9. Carols: Un Flambeau Jeanette Isabelle-Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprugen-Alegria Alegria!
10. I Sing Of A Maiden
11. Sleigh Ride
12. Carol Of The Shepherds
13. O Come, All Ye Faithful

Zippyshare

Re-Minute

Here's another record I was able to re-encode for you at a higher bitrate this year.  At this point I'm not sure when I recorded the vinyl, but the WAV files were still here on my PC and I just made new MP3's at the full-on bitrate.  They are mono, though, so don't expect 320. I first shared this with you in 2009, and here it is again, Elliot Lawrence And His Orchestra-Christmas Just A Minute! (Sesac PA 221/222, Mono).

1. Jingle Bells
2. Jumpin' At The Toy Shop
3. Toyland
4. Dancing Snowflake
5. Santa's Mambo
6. Ring-Around-The-Snowman
7. Deck The Halls
8. Auld Lang Syne
9. The Bell Carol
10. Silent Night
11. Joy To The World
12. We Three Kings
13. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
14. Adeste Fideles
15. The First Noel
16. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Zippyshare