The Return Of Ireene

Just for fun, and as the last re-post of the season, here's a  re-encode of three singles from The Singing Lady, Ireene Wicker. I shared these out in a batch back in 2011, and I don't think they've been back since that day.  I wish I had picture sleeves for these, I'm sure they're cute period pieces.  And I suspect there were originally four singles in the set, but one of these got lost over the years.  Something I need to add to my want list.  If you have one, you know how to reach me.  This is Ireene Wicker-The Singing Lady-Six Sides (Tots 'N' Teens/Regal Record Corp 3x7" 78 RPM, 1949).

Dicken's Christmas Carol Part 1
Dicken's Christmas Carol Part 2
Silent Night
Jingle Bells
O Come, All ye Faithful
Deck The Halls; I Saw Three Ships

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Look, Up In The Sky

The best reason I have for posting this record, other than it's great selection of Christmas songs, is that if you look real close on the cover, up in the top right hand corner, just above the Decca label, you can see an airplane flying by.  I was real close to airbrushing it out when I was cleaning the cover up until I realized it was actually a shape and not just a blob.  Think of the odds...  Anyhow, here's a nice collection of men at a seminary singing.  Good stuff.  This is Saint John's Seminary Choir-Right Reverend Russell H. Davis, Mus. M., Director And Soloist-The Heavens Declare-Christmas Hymns And Carols (Decca DL 4353 (Brighton, Massachusetts), Mono, 1962).

1. The Heavens Declare
2. Carol Of The Bells
3. Gesu Bambino
4. Sing Gloria
5. Tell Me Shepherds Dear
6. Russian Carol
7. Good News From Heaven
8. Panis Angelicus
9. Silent Night
10. O Holy Night
11. Nowell
12. I Wonder As I Wander
13. What Child Is This
14. Adeste Fideles

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Laymen

Some more gospel singing for you, this time by a group of fellows calling themselves The Laymen Singers.  Don't know a thing about them, except they're somehow in the group of religious recordings that tie in with Ralph Carmichael.  I guess the group of people linked to Ralph is actually larger than the group that isn't, so I'm not really telling you much there.  But I thought this was some good singing, and I've been giving you a lot of religious records here at the end of the season, so it fits right in.  This is The Laymen Singers-Vocal And Orchestral Direction By Ralph Carmichael-O Come, All Ye Faithful (Chapel LP 5036, Mono, 1959).  Lots of good stuff came out, music-wise, in 1959.

1. Star Carol
2. What Child Is This?
3. O Come, All Ye Faithful
4. Behold That Star
5. Silent Night
6. Christmas Hymn
7. Joy To The World
8. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
9. O Come, O Come, Immanuel
10. I Wonder As I Wander
11. Away In A Manger
12. O Holy Night

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Akron-Canton!

Probably shouldn't have saved this one until this close to the end, but I forgot about it until recently.  It fits in quite nicely with the Christmas around the world and then the USA theme.  It's a local record from the Akron-Canton area of Ohio, with contributions from all sorts of area groups.  There's some good stuff on here.  I spent a little time researching that cover image because I couldn't figure out what the description in lower left was trying to tell me. Turns out Simon Perkins is the name of the guy who owned the house in the picture.  The artist is Cathy Welner.  If you look real close, you can see the same credits written in the snow about halfway up the image.  The house is supposed to be a local landmark, but the people I spoke to who were born and raised in the area didn't know anything about it.  So it goes.  Music here was put together by a local radio station and a local chain of super stores.  Since this is volume two, I'm going to have to track down volume one now.  Anybody got one laying around they want to send me?  This is Songs Of Christmas-Volume Two (Akron/Canton, Ohio) (WAKR/Acme, Clik, Y-Mart Stores No Number, Stereo, 1985).

1. The Chapel Festival Orchestra-Christmas Heritage
2. First United Church Of Christ-Angels We Have Heard On High
3. Ken Kramer-It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. St. Hilary's Catholic Church-Sing For Joy
5. Jim Kalal-Away In A Manger
6. Holy Cross Lutheran Women's Ensemble-Silent Night
7. University Of Akron Steel Drums-"Trepak" From Nutcracker Suite
8. St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Men & Boys Choir)-Blessed Son Of God
9. Brenda Campbell & Mary Paul-Christmas Song
10. The Church In The Falls-Carol Of The Bells
11. Heidi Saari-Men Now Have Hope
12. House Of The Lord-Jesus Is The Light Of The World

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Harmonicas For Nothing

OK, I couldn't let my comment in that last post stand.  I've got to share this LP with you from the later incarnation of The Harmonicats featuring Don Les.  He was a member of the group at one time, but clearly he wasn't the main talent behind anything.  This album for budget label Halo is all kinds of bad.  I don't remember liking a single thing about it. But I'm a glutton for punishment, and so are you.  I recorded it in 2006, and you have to promise to listen to it here in 2019.  This is The Don Les Harmonicats-Christmas With The Don Les Harmonicats (Halo 1005, Stereo).

1. White Christmas
2. The Christmas Song
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Jingle Bells
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
6. Silent Night
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
8. March Of The Three Kings
9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
10. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

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Harmonicas For Christmas

About the closest the original Harmonicats came to recording a Christmas album was this collection of doll-themed songs in 1959.  And even this isn't strictly the original group. After they'd been around for so long, different members went different directions, but Jerry Murad seemed to be the heart and soul of the original band, and this is his group of 'Cats from 1959.  At least one former member did actually record a Christmas album under the Harmonicat's name, Don Les, but the less said about that, the better.  It may not be strictly Christmas, but I like it! Originally shared out around these parts in 2011, and re-encoded at full bitrate for you in 2018, this is Jerry Murad's Electronic Harmonicats-Dolls, Dolls, Dolls (Mercury SR60008, Stereo, 1959).  Pretty sure there's another cover for this one out there, but I don't have it handy at the moment to scan and share.  I think it's a woman playing with some dolls.

1. Waltzing Doll (Poupee Valsante)
2. The Toy Trumpet
3. Spanish Doll (Senorita Munequita)
4. Paper Doll
5. March Of The Toys
6. Wedding Of The Painted Doll
7. Oh! You Beautiful Doll
8. Dance Of The Dutch Doll
9. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
10. Pink Dresden Doll
11. The Wooden Soldier & The China Doll
12. Doll Dance

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Greetings '88

Another great collection of celebrity Christmas greetings from the 1988 holiday season.  Some of these people are still around, some of them never made it quite to the level of stardom that allowed them to still be known 30 years later. And at least one of them didn't make it too many more years...  I shared this out for the first time in 2010 and it's back today for your downloading fun.  This is Holiday Greetings From The Epic, Portrait and CBS Associated Family (CBS Records EAS 1393 12" Same On Both Sides, 1988, Stereo). 

1. Gregg Allman of The Gregg Allman Band
2. Billy Always
3. Basia
4. Robin Zandar of Cheap Trick
5. Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick
6. Cherrelle
7. Alice Cooper (2x)
8. Gloria Estefan (3x)
9. Europe (2x)
10. The Fabulous Thunderbirds
11. The Godfathers
12. Peter Coyne of The Godfathers
13. Gregory Hines
14. Insiders
15. Living Colour
16. Alexander O'Neal
17. Ozzy Osbourne (2x)
18. Quiet Riot (2x)
19. The Rave-Ups
20. Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon
21. Rhythm Cords
22. Dan Siegel
23. Slammin' Watusis (2x)
24. Henry Lee Summer (2x)
25. Jim Peterik of Survivor
26. Tony Terry
27. 'Til Tuesday
28. Luther Vandross (2x)
29. Gino Vanelli
30. Stevie Ray Vaughan (2x)
31. Weird Al Yankovic (3x)

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Greetings '87

Do you know what today is? It's the twelfth day of Christmas! Christmas day is the first, and here we are twelve days later.  That means I'm almost done sharing, so I need to cram a lot of little leftover things into today. This is a re-encode of a great collection of celebrity Christmas ID's that I first shared out in 2011.  Lots of great people on here (as well as some that didn't quite make it very far), nice collection to have. This is This is Holiday Greetings From The Epic, Portrait And CBS Associated Families (Epic Portrait Associated/CBS EAS 2864, Stereo, 1987).  Enjoy!

01: Greg Allman
02: Ana
03: Big Trouble
04: Bill Carter
05: Robin Zander of Cheap Trick
06: Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick
07: Cherrelle #1
08: Cherrelle #2
09: Angela Clemmons
10: Charlie Daniels
11: Mary Davis
12: Gloria Estefan And Miami Sound Machine
13: Fabulous Thunderbirds
14: David Hallyday
15: Hiroshima
16: Insiders #1
17: Insiders #2
18: Tuesday Knight
19: Krystol
20: Lion
21: Aimee Mann of 'Til Tuesday
22: Teena Marie #1
23: Teena Marie #2
24: Kathy Mathis
25: Ozzy Osbourne #1
26: Ozzy Osbourne #2
27: Ozzy Osbourne #3
28: Quiet Riot #1
29: Quiet Riot #2
30: The Radiators
31: REO Speedwagon
32: S.O.S. Band #1
33: S.O.S. Band #2
34: Dan Siegel
35: Charlie Singleton
36: Survivor
37: Robert Tepper
38: Wa Wa Nee #1
39: Wa Wa Nee #2
40: Weird Al Yankovic #1
41: Weird Al Yankovic #2
42: Weird Al Yankovic #3
43: Weird Al Yankovic #4
44: Weird Al Yankovic #5
45: Pia Zadora

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No Smoking

A single song from this 1960 flexi picture disc, but it's worth saving from the dustbin of history.  A group of guys singing on TV and sponsored by a cigarette manufacturer.  Unfortunately, this record may have been past it's allotted 200 plays because it doesn't sound so good.  I did my best, but if you have critical ears, you may want to pass.  This is L&M T.V. Quartet-Recording Of Your Favorite Christmas Carols (Liggett & Myers Todacco Co. 7" 33 RPM One-Sided Flexi Picture Disc No Number, Mono, 1960).

1. Christmas Carols

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A Holy Childhood

Do you need a few more public service announcements from TV stars of the late Seventies?  Sure you do!  These are for a group known as Holy Childhood Association, though they appear to be selling something called Christmas Seals.  Not sure if they were associated with The American Lung Association or not, it's a little confusing.  Anyhow, one side is Christmas PSA's, the second side is for use after Christmas.  And the whole thing was pressed into the vinyl off center.  I had to make a small stack of other 45's underneath this record, then slowly move it around until I got it somewhat better centered.  I think it came out pretty good.  You don't hear that wavering back and forth that was there at first.  This is Holy Childhood Association Christmas PSA's (Holy Childhood Association 7" 33 RPM AAVP #8303, Stereo).

1. Henry Fonda
2. Betty White
3. Ron Howard
4. Mike Conners
5. Hugh O'Brian
6. Gary Burghoff
7. Betty White
8. Mike Conners

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Seasons In The Sun

Had a few requests for this one, but kept forgetting about it until now.  You may remember this one from 2011, it was pretty popular with readers.  Like the sleeve says, it's a bunch of PSA's from the Mormons The Seventh-Day Adventists to play on the radio during the Christmas season.  Good stuff, if you like this sort of ephemera.  And I re-encoded it at a higher bitrate for you this year, so there's that.  This is Seasonings-Thirty Second Seasonal PSA's Produced By The Seventh-Day Adventists (A Sunspot Production 7" 33 RPM SP-1046, Stereo).

1. Jamie's Letter
2. Santa & Bobby
3. Papa & Tony
4. Neighbors
5. Warm Hugs
6. Holiday Salute
7. Mistletoe
8. Runaway
9. Worried Helen
10. The Christmas Story
11. Grandma's Gift
12. The Bell Ringer

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KE-Note Singers

Here is another interesting share that had escaped my memory.  This was shared back in 2006, and then it sort of faded into the dark recesses of Christmas past.  Part of that is probably due to the fact that I've never seen another copy in all my travels.  Surely there are others out there, but this is the only one I've ever seen.  And now you can be one of the few people on planet Earth who have ever heard it! This is The KE-Notes-Merry Christmas With The KE-Notes (Olmstead Sound Studios Green Vinyl OSS-2267, Mono, 1959). By the way, the KE in the name is from the advertising agency all the singers worked for, Kenyon & Eckhardt. This had to be one of the first albums that I scanned the label from the vinyl.  I'm sure I just did that to show off the green vinyl, but it was a sign of OCD to come!

1. Bill Lewis-Introduction
2. Deck The Halls
3. O How Lovely Is The Evening
4. Joy To The World
5. Silent Night
6. Carol Of The Bells
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. The First Noel
9. O Holy Night
10. Angels We Have Heard On High
11. Adeste Fideles
12. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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Another Mann

Not his best album, but the only one I'm allowed to share with you.  This is a budget record from a shady label, so there might not even be a real person named Sy Mann, who knows?  I'm just looking for old stuff to get up here before the end of the season.  It's getting close I tell you, real close!  I shared out a mono version of this one in 2005, and the stereo version followed up in 2006.  Is it any good?  I dunno, I don't remember to tell you the truth.  It says organ & chimes on the cover, so that may be a hint.  This is Sy Mann At The Wurlitzer-Everybody's Christmas Favorites-Organ & Chimes (Palace STXM-901, Stereo).

1. White Christmas
2. Adeste Fideles
3. Silent Night
4. Joy To The World
5. Away In A Manger
6. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
7. Jingle Bells
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
10. Noel
11. Deck The Hall
12. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
13. Good King Wenceslas

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Holiday & Bells

As I've stated many times this season, you just can't have too many bells at Christmas.  So here's another great set of tunes shared out in 2010, well, shared out in stereo.  I first shared a mono version of this back in 2008, so it's been around for a while. And there's certainly a lot of bell music to be had on this one, 19 tracks!  You know you need to download this and hold onto it for next year's office party!  This is The Holiday Bells-Ring The Bells On Christmas Day (Kapp KS-3038, Stereo, 1963)

1. Silent Night
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
3. The First Noel
4. Joy To The World
5. Jingle Bells
6. Oh, Christmas Tree
7. O Sanctissima
8. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
10. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
11. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
12. Deck The Halls
13. O Come All Ye Faithful
14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
15. Away In A Manger
16. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
17. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
18. Good King Wenceslas
19. Jolly Old St. Nicholas

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Charming

Been working on this one for a little while now, and finally pulled it all together tonight for your enjoyment.  The unfortunately named Phil Spitalny was the leader of an all-girl orchestra and choir, and if memory serves, he wound up marrying his start attraction, a violinist named Evelyn. I suppose times were different then.  An all-female orchestra today would still be something, but not quite the attraction it was in it's day.  Anyhow, it's an interesting little album, I think you'll enjoy it.  This is Phil Spitalny And His Hour Of Charm All-Girl Orchestra And Choir-Christmas Carols By The Hour Of Charm (RCA Victor 10" 33 RPM LPM 53, Mono, 1951).

1. Silent Night
2. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
3. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
5. Joy To The World; The First Noël
6. Carol Of The Bells; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

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Half Of 2011

Looks like I skipped Christmas and a Half in 2010, but I came back in 2011 with a couple of things that are connected only because they were pressed on red vinyl.  The first this EP, The Royale Orchestra And Singers-Songs For Christmas (Royale EP 701, 7" 45 RPM Red Vinyl, Mono).

1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Frosty The Snow Man
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
4. Here Comes Santa Claus

And the second share of the day back then was this mysterious red 10" record with no sleeve and no information about what may be on it other than a title.  You know I had to buy it just because of the title.  It's interesting stuff, and I keep hoping that someone will come along and be able to tell us a little more about it.  I think we were finally able to put names to all the songs, and that's a start.  This is Voices Of Christmas (No Number, 10" 33RPM Red Vinyl, Mono).

1. Adeste Fidelis
2. I Wonder As I Wander
3. Thou Little Tiny Child
4. We Three Kings
5. Christmas Is A-Comin'
6. It's Christmas Time Again
7. Hi Ho Anybody Home
8. O Holy Night
9. Good King Wenceslas
10. Jingle Bells
11. Carol Of The Bells
12. White Christmas
13. In Excelsis Deo
14. Silent Night
15. The Twelve Days Of Christmas

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Half Of 2009

What's that?  A whole other collection of Christmas 45s, this time for Christmas and a Half from 2009?  Yep, you got it.  Again, just a bunch of random 45s with no rhyme nor reason, and no artwork.  This is Ernie's Christmas And A Half 2009 Celebration.

Tony Martin With The Interludes and Henri René's Orchestra-Christmas In Rio
Benny Strong And His Orchestra-Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
Gene & Jerry-Hootenanny Christmas
Sunshine Ruby-I Wanna Do Something For Santa Claus
Ronnie Rinard-I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Sun Valley Trio-It Happened In Sun Valley
Father Malcolm Boyd & Charlie Byrd-It's Christmas Again, Jesus (Background Music-O Holy Night)
No Artist Listed-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now)-French Version
Paul Trip, Music By Ray Carter-I've Got A Date With Santa (At Half Past Xmas Time)
Ken Martinson & Santas Elves-Jingle, Jangle & Joe
Les Paul And Mary Ford-Jungle Bells
The Sullivan Family-Merry Christmas From Vietnam
Frank Gallagher With Dana Serenaders And Orchestra-Merry Christmas-Polka
The Lennon Sisters-Peppy The Peppermint Bear
Bill Robbin And His Blue Jays-Rockin' Bells
Roger Kirby-Rockin Reindeer
Johnny Maddox And The Rhythmasters-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Eddy Arnold And His Guitar-Sittin' On Santa Claus' Lap
Society's Children-White Christmas
Russ Morgan And His Orchestra, Vocal By Russ Morgan And The Morganaires-Willy Claus (Little Son Of Santa Claus)
Bobby Emmons And The Crosstones With The Wanderers-Christmas Bell Rock
Dorothy Olsen With Norman Leyden And His Orchestra And Chorus-Christmas Spirit
The Mulcays And Their Electric Harmonicas-Jingle Bells
Kelly Schoppa-Merry Texas Christmas
MK Rawlings Elementary Chorus And Us-Santa's Flight Song
Dave Dudley-Six Tons Of Toys
Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra, Vocal Refrain By Vaughn Monroe And The Moon Maids-Snowy White Snow And Jingle Bells
Bill Anderson-The Night Before Christmas And The Story Of The Nativity
Benny Martin-Droopy Little Christmas Tree
Red Sovine-Is There Really A Santa Claus
The Willis Brothers-Jingle Jill And Jangle Joe

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Half Of 2008

I suppose I should go ahead and share out the collection I did for Christmas and a Half in 2008 since I did the 2012 collection of 78's.  Once again, it's a nice collection of totally random single tracks, this time from 7" 45s instead of 10" 78s.  And again there is no artwork, sorry.  Good stuff though.  This is Ernie's Christmas And A Half 2008 Singles Collection.

Bobby Salvatore-Stick 'Em Up Santa
Mona Murry-Gonna Kidnap Santa Tonight
The Brian Babcock Explosion With The Circle Of Sound Singers-CB Santa (Big Red)
Thurmon McKinney-Santa Claus And The Truck Driver
Homemade Theatre-CB Santa
Larry Cartell-Cowboy Santa
Burl Ives-Grandfather Kringle
Buddy Mullins-Easter Eggs On The Christmas Tree
Bey Ireland-All I Want For Christmas Is A Go-Go Girl
Joan Shaw-I Want A Man For Christmas
Little Rita Faye-I Fell Out Of A Christmas Tree
Bobby Sabatino-I'm Gonna Hang Up Mommy's Stocking
Clinton Caldwell-Santa's Copter
Raindolls-Disco Santa Claus
Santa's Disco Band-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Disco
Barefoot Man-Santa Got A Sunburn
Israfel's Son With Connie & Chorus-Rudolph Pouts
George Bowers-Christoper The Christmas Tree
Jim Hubler-Big Bruce, The Big Blue Spruce
Tony Sacco-Jolly Fat Man
Doye O'Dell-I'm Pickin' Fights For Christmas
Eddy Arnold-I'm Your Private Santa Claus
Lisa And The Lollipops-Don'tcha Try To Tell Me There Ain't No Santa Claus
The LeVine Twins-Twinkle-Toes
Santa's Gnomes-Santa's Land
Bobby Farrell-Santa's Big Red Car
Rosemary Clooney-Little Red Riding Hood's Christmas Tree
John Greer-Wait Till After Christmas
King Coleman-The Holiday Season
The Rocky Fellers-Santa Santa

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78 From 78's

This is the return of a project I was pretty proud of in the summer of 2012.  I had ripped tracks from 78 different Christmas 78's, and shared them out in four large batches.  I think I only shared out one track from each, as many of them only featured a single side of holiday cheer, but some were dedicated Christmas records, and on those I just picked one side to share with you. (Nope, I lied.  Looks like I shared both sides of some things.  Must have been lazy.)  I tried to stick to stuff that hadn't been re-issued and comped to death, but there are a few things in there that are probably easy to find here or there, so apologies if I step on any toes.  And six and a half years later, there are probably quite a few more that have shown up online.  I never got the chance to scan in the labels of any of these, so for the first time this season, I'm sharing out stuff without artwork.  Sorry.  I hate to do that because it seems like an incomplete package, but it was just a pain to try to scan these things back then, and who knows where the records I ripped might be today.  Anyhow, I hope you enjoy some of this stuff, it's older than the usual records you see around here.

1. Christmas Medley by American Radio Warblers With Preston Sellers At The Organ. (Arthur C. Barnett-Exclusive Distributor 10" 78 RPM DB-C8-3236 & 3237)

2. Star Of The East by Ballard & Wheeler, Tenor & Baritone with Orchestra Accompaniment. (Silvertone (Sears-Roebuck) 10" 78 RPM 5129)

3. Let's Put Christmas Back Into Christmas by Don Moreland with Eddie Ballantine's Orchestra and Choir.  (Jay 10" 78 RPM E2-QB-5855/5856)

4. I Want A Puppy In My Stocking by Kathryn King With Savoy Orchestra. (Prevue 10" 78 RPM 1111-78 "Compliments Of Vigilant Insurance Specialists", 1954)

5. Santa Claus Polka by Lennon Bros. With Don Shaw Orchestra.  (Zodiac 10" 78 RPM 1212, 1950)

6. The Night Before Christmas by Cora Mel Patton. (Victor 12" 78 RPM 35418, 1914).

7. Santa Claus Gives Away His Toys by Gilbert Girard.  (Victor 12" 78 RPM 35679 "Descriptive Specialty With Imitations", 1918).

8. Hark The Herald Angels Sing by Columbia Stellar Quartette With Orchestra Accompaniment.(Columbia 10" 78 RPM A2788, 1919).

9. Jingle Bells by Criterion Male Quartet With Orchestra. (Gennett 10" 78 RPM 5267 (Division of The Starr Piano Co. Richmond, Ind.), 1923).

10. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra. (Victor 10" 78 RPM 19007, 1923).

11. Little Jesus by Basil Rathbone With The Robert Mitchell Boychoir. (Columbia Masterworks 12" 78 RPM 7407-M, 1939).

12. All Around The Christmas Tree by Raymond Scott And His New Orchestra, Vocal Chorus By Clyde Burke. (Columbia 10" 78 RPM 35864, 1940).

13.  All Around The Xmas Tree by Mark Warnow-Dick Todd, Hit Parade Orchestra And Chorus.  (Sonora 10" 78 RPM 3000, 1945).

14. Sleigh Ride In July by The Three Suns, Vocal by Artie Dunn. (Majestic 10" 78 RPM 7122, 1945).

15. The Jingle Bell Polka by The Modernaires Featuring Hal Dickinson-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Lou Bring.  (Columbia 10" 78 RPM 37980, 1947).

16. The Mistletoe Kiss by Art Mooney And His Orchestra, Vocal By The Art Mooney Choir. (MGM 10" 78 RPM 10522, 1949).

17.  Snowy White Snow And Jingle Bells by Primo Scala And His Banjo And Accordion Orchestra With The Keynotes. (London 10" 78 RPM 495, 1949).

18.  Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter by Tommy Tucker And His Orchestra, Vocal By Don Brown, Sally Sweetland And Group. (MGM 10" 78 RPM 10824, 1950).

19. I Said A Prayer For Santa Claus by Jimmy Boyd Accompanied By Norman Luboff. (Columbia 10" 78 RPM 40080, 1953)

20. Where Did My Snowman Go? by Molly Bee, Music By Van Alexander.(Capitol 10" 78 RPM CAS-3192, 1954).

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21. Ave Maria (Schubert, Op. 52, No. 6) (Text From "Lady Of The Lake")-Charles Kullman (Tenor) With Orchestra.  What happened to the label data on these?  Oh, looks like I was too busy to copy that data over back in 2012.  Sorry.  I'm sure it's all there in the track tags after you download this stuff.

22. Good King Wenceslas-Nelson Eddy With Orchestra Conducted By Robert Armbruster. (1942)

23. Ave Maria-Elizabeth Wheeler.

24. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers-Majestic Dance Orchestra.  (1922)

25. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town-American Novelty Orchestra.  (1934)

26. Adeste Fideles (O, Come, All Ye Faithful)-Frances Langford With Eddie Dunstedter At The Organ.  (1938)

27. Silent Night, Holy Night-Kate Smith, Orchestra Under Direction Of Jack Miller.(1940)

28. When Winter Comes (Cuando Llega el Invierno)-Swing And Sway With Sammy Kaye-Vocal Refrain By Tommy Ryan. (1941)

29. White Christmas-Freddy Martin And His Orchestra-Vocal Refrain By Clyde Rogers.(1942)

30. When You Trim Your Christmas Tree-Les Brown And His Orchestra, Vocal Chorus By Jack Haskell.  (1946)

31. Jingle Bells-Slam Stewart Quintet.  (1946)

32. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?-Kay Kyser And His Orchestra-Vocal Chorus By Harry Babbitt And The Campus Kids.  (1947)

33. The Skaters Waltz-Continental Musette Orchestra.  (1948)

34. Baby, It's Cold Outside-Dinah Shore And Buddy Clark, Orchestra Under The Direction Of Ted Dale.  (1949)

35. Christmas In Heaven-Bill Cook.  (1950)

36. Jingle Bells Boogie-Johnny Bond.  (1950)

37. The Sleigh-Mitch Miller And His Orchestra & Chorus.  (1950) Looks like I did eventually find this one on vinyl, though it's a somewhat rare 7"33 RPM single.  Sounds better though.

38. The Merry Christmas Polka-Frankie Yankovic And His Yanks.  (1951)

39. Christmas In America-Hal Hopper And The Voices Of The Valley.  (1952)

40. Santa's Coming-Carmel Quinn With Jimmy Carroll's Orchestra And Children's Chorus.  (1954)


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41. Andy Gump's Holiday Greetings-Sydney Smith. (1923) (See the original post for this batch here.)

42. Blue Christmas-Russ Morgan And His Orchestra-Vocal Chorus By Russ Morgan & The Morganaires. (1949)

43. Christmas Story-Doris Day With Chorus And Orchestral Accompaniment. (1950)

44. Gingerbread Boy (Original Version Of An Old Folk-Tale)-Georgene Faulkner. (1914)

45. From Every Spire On Christmas Eve-Jimmy Blades-Chimes, And Charles Smart-Organ. (1953)

46. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing-Richard Jordan, Pipe Organ-Vocal Refrain By Mixed Quartette.  (1936)

47. Holy Night-Charles Harrison, Tenor, Orchestra Accompaniment.

48. I Want Eddie Fisher For Christmas-Betty Johnson With Jimmy Leyden-Conductor.  (1954)

49. If You Knock On Any Door On Christmas Day-Primo Scala And His Banjo And Accordion Orchestra With The Keynotes.  (1949)

50. Jingle Bells-Leo Watson With The Vic Dickenson Quintet. (1946)

51. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!-Woody Herman And His Orchestra-Vocal Chorus By Woody Herman.  (1946)

52. Merry Christmas-Polka-Frank Gallagher With The Dana Serenaders And Orchestra. (1948)

53. Nuttin' For Christmas-The Fontane Sisters With Billy Vaughn's Orchestra.  (1955)

54. Santa And The Doodle-Li-Boop-Art Carney.  (1954)

55. Silent Night -The Ravens. (1948)

56. Sleigh Bell Serenade-Bing Crosby With Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires And Orchestra Directed By John Scott Trotter. (1952)

57. Something Barked On Christmas Morning-Ricky Zahnd & The Blue Jeaners With Tony Mottola Orchestra.  (1955)

58. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year-Johnnie Johnston With Paul Weston And His Orchestra.  (1944)

59. White Christmas-Charlie Spivak And His Orchestra-Vocal Chorus By Garry Stevens. (1942)

60. You're All I Want For Christmas-Frank Gallagher With The Dana Serenaders And Orchestra. (1948).

MEGA, Part 3

61. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus-Patti Page With Orchestra Under The Direction Of Jack Rael.  (1950) This fourth batch was first shared out here, if you want to see what I had to say about things back then.

62. Happy Little Songs-Skip To My Lou, Polly Wolly Doodle, Arkansas Traveler, Jingle Bells-Mark Warnow And His Hit Parade Orchestra.  (1945)

63. Frosty The Snowman-Meadowlarks.

64. (I'm Gettin') Nuttin' For Christmas-Ricky Zahnd & The Blue Jeaners With Tony Mottola Orchestra.  (1955)

65. I Wanna Do Something For Santa Claus-Johnny Bond.  (1950)

66. It's Christmas Time Again-Peggy Lee With Orchestra And Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires.  (1953)

67. A Letter To Santa-Bill Cook.  (1950)

68. Little Merrie Christmas-Kathryn King With Savoy Orchestra.  (1954)

69. The Night Before Christmas-Basil Rathbone With The Robert Mitchell Boychoir.  (1939)

70. Santa Claus Tells About His Toy Shop-Gilbert Girard.  (1918)

71. Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney-Jimmy Boyd Accompanied By Norman Luboff.  (1953)

72. Silent Night, Holy Night-Frances Langford With Eddie Dunstedter At The Organ. (1938)

73. Snowflakes-Guy Lombardo And Evelyn Knight And The Royal Canadians.(1951)

74. Story Of The Magi-Carmel Quinn & Kevin Shanahan With Jimmy Carroll's Orchestra And Chorus.  (1954)

75. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas-Art Carney.  (1954)

76. White Christmas-The Ravens. (1948)

77. You're All I Want For Christmas-Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra And Choir.  (1949)

78. White Christmas-Gorden Jenkins And His Orchestra-Guest Vocalist Bob Carroll.  (1949)


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Forgotten Christmas

I keep saying that I'm finding stuff to re-post that I had forgotten about, but here's an item that's seriously slipped my memory.  I appear to have shared this out back in 2010 right after I posted that great sampler for Capitol's initial batch of Capitol Of The World Christmas albums.  I thought it was a neat little piece, but it didn't get any comments, so I guess no one noticed it.  I quickly forgot about it as well, but I'll bring it back for the curious today.  It's a single track featuring an introduction from Time publisher James A. Linen and short samples from four of those Capitol records. Sweden, Italy, Poland & Australia are the countries featured.  (That Australian record is one that I have yet to lay my greedy little hands on.) Please enjoy Time For Christmas (Time Magazine By Special Arrangement With Capitol Records, 7" 33 RPM Flexi Picture Disc, no number). Why does the record say "The American Swedish Monthly" in the picture just to the right of top center?  I must have missed that the first time around.  Maybe this wasn't a US issue?  Hmmm... Oh, I think it's just a photo credit.

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CanCon

You wanted some more Canadian Content, right?  How about this album from Catherine McKinnon?  I haven't done a whole lot of research on her, but I see this is on Arc, a label that as near as I can tell only features Canadian artists.  It's pretty good stuff, too, I think you'll like it.  Stop whatever you're doing and download Catherine McKinnon-I'll Be Home For Christmas (Arc (Canada) AC27, Stereo, 1966).

1. The Sounds Of Christmas
2. The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
3. Christmas Love
4. White Christmas
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. The Christmas Song
7. Silver Bells
8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
9. Marshmallow World
10. Blue Christmas

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It's Full Of Stars

A rare set for me to share, this collection for Philco consists of some pretty common stuff as well as a handful of rarities that you'll have a pretty hard time finding elsewhere.  I suppose I should just share out those impossible to find tracks, but I hate breaking up a set like this.  I shared this with you for the first time in 2010, and I'm not sure it's been back since.  Grab it while you can, I don't know if I can keep this up for too long.  This is Christmas Music From The Stars (Decca DL 38016 "Limited Edition Of Christmas Music Prepared Exclusively By Decca For Philco", Mono, c. 1957).

1. Judy Garland-The Birthday Of A King
2. Dick Haymes And The Song Spinners-The First Noel
3. Kenny Baker With Eddie Dunstedter-O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Tony Martin-Christmas Candle
5. Deanna Durbin-Silent Night (Christmas Hymn)
6. The Cloister Bells-Adeste Fidelis (Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful)
7. Judy Garland-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
8. Russ Morgan-The Mistletoe Kiss
9. Artie Shaw-Jingle Bells
10. Frank Luther-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
11. Jascha Heifetz-White Christmas
12. Red Foley-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

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Latin America!

Dig, dig, dig!  There's just so much stuff in the archives, I think I remember it all, but then I find something else I had forgotten about.  This one from 2006 is a great addition to Christmas around the world this season.  Better late than never, I figure.Not sure exactly what country this might represent, so I'm just going to say that it's a Merry Christmas from Latin America! This is Bruce Woodman Presents Christmas Carols With A Latin Lilt (SAC 1002, Stereo).

1. Luis Palau-Introduction
2. Bruce Woodman-Come, Oh Ye Shepherds
3. Bruce Woodman-Silent Night
4. Luis Palau-Introduction
5. Bruce Woodman-En La Noche Los Pastores Velan (The Night Watch Of The Shepherds)
6. Lois Hat Vasconez-There's A Song In The Air
7. Luis Palau-Introduction
8. Bruce Woodman-Salvador Admirable (Wonderful Savior)
9. Luis Palau-Introduction
10. Bruce Woodman-Blessed Palestine
11. Bill Fasig-What Child Is This?
12. Bruce Woodman-It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
13. Luis Palau-Introduction
14. Delores Baklenko-It's Christmas Time
15. Bill Fasig-The First Noel

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Marni & Donald

Here's an interesting collection of Christmas stories that I've never seen another copy of.  Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't.  But at this point, I tend to think that if I haven't seen something before, it must be at least a little bit hard to find.  These stories seem to be a step or two up from the usual stuff I find and share.  The recordings are professionally done, the writing is from established writers, and the narrators are names you may have heard of.  Marni Nixon is certainly a popular singer with a very long list of credits to her name. Donald Murphy, well, I'll have to look him up. Looks like he was a actor in some film noir from the fifties and a string of TV appearances after that.  Got his start on Broadway.  OK, so maybe he's not as well known as Marni Nixon.  But the stories are good.  Unfortunately, the two artists do not share billing on any of the stories, they're all solo works.  If you're still here after all that, please download The Best In Children's Literature...Christmas Stories (Bowmar Records CL 3, Mono, 1963).

1. Marni Nixon-On Christmas Eve
2. Donald Murphy-Paddy's Christmas
3. Marni Nixon-The Christmas Kitten
4. Donald Murphy-The Long Stocking
5. Marni Nixon-The Friendly Beasts

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Those Carols

I'd forgotten about this one, but it's an interesting record that tells the stories behind some of our most cherished carols.  Not sure if all the stories are still correct since new scholarship sometimes turns what we thought we knew on it's head, but it's a good start.  Sometimes we sing the same words for so long they lose their meaning.  Give it a listen and see if you learn anything. From the 2010 sharity season, this is Carols Of Christmas And The Stories Behind Them (Christian Home Music-Produced For The Radio And Television Commission Of The Southern Baptist Convention, PR4M-1528 & 1529, Mono, 1963). 

1. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'Away In A Manger'
2. The Baptist Hour Choir-Away In A Manger
3. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing'
4. The Baptist Hour Choir-Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
5. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'It Came Upon The Midnight Clear'
6. The Baptist Hour Choir-It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
7. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of ' We Three Kings'
8. The Baptist Hour Choir-We Three Kings
9. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'O Holy Night'
10. Joe Ann Shelton-O Holy Night
11. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'O Come All Ye Faithful'
12. Cody Garner-O Come All Ye Faithful
13. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem'
14. Cody Garner-O Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. Nicholas Ramsey-The Story Of 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day'
16. Oris Baldwin & Loeen Bushman-I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

MEGA

The Blackwoods Return

I've been sharing out so much old gospel music lately, I may as well bring this one out again from the 2011 sharity season, though it was actually shared out early in 2012.  As far as I was raised, The Blackwood Brothers were the gospel group of choice.  Unfortunately, by the time this LP came out, they may have been well past their heyday.  On this album, they give in to modern production techniques and some song styles that are a little too far from their base. That's not to say you shouldn't at least listen to it once, just so you know.  And if you didn't download it before, this new re-encode is what you want.  This is The Blackwood Brothers- Merry Christmas From The Blackwood Brothers (Voice Box VB 0779, Stereo, 1979).

1. White Christmas (Cecil)
2. The First Noel (Jimmy)
3. Oh Holy Night (James)
4. Chestnuts Roasting (John)
5. Silent Night, Holy Night (Ken)
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Ken)
7. Joy To The World (John)
8. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing (James)
9. Oh Come All Ye Faithful (Jimmy)
10. Away In A Manger (Cecil)

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Maybe my biggest disappointment with this LP was the lack of those Southern Gospel harmonies. Everybody pretty much sings by themselves here.  Whoever thought that was a good idea needs a quick lesson in what made these folks famous in the first place.

Y'All Come!

Been hankering for a little deep country Christmas?  How about this budget LP from Starday, home of the real hillbilly stuff.  I've been putting this one off because the cover was all taped up and just about unrecoverable, but I made it work.  It's pretty short for so many tracks, but it's got a lot of charm in those grooves.  You'll, err, I  mean, Y'all 'll get a kick out of Y'All Come-Have A Country Christmas (Starday SLP-123, Mono, 1960).

1. Arlie Duff-Y'All Come
2. Leon Payne-Christmas Everyday
3. The Trailblazers-White Christmas
4. The Trailblazers-Jingle Bells
5. The Trailblazers-I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. Leon Payne-Christmas Love Song
7. The Trailblazers-Blue Christmas
8. Unknown Artist-The Night Before Christmas
9. Jim Eanes-Christmas Doll
10. Earl Aycock-Christmas Can't Be Far Away
11. The Trailblazers-Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
12. The Trailblazers-Frosty The Snowman
13. The Trailblazers-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
14. Stanley Brothers-Christmas Is Near
15. Jim Eanes-It Won't Seem Like Christmas
16. Santa Himself-Santa's Message

MEGA

Added Lundstrom

I couldn't put up one Lundstrom Christmas LP without putting up this other one, also shared in 2010.  And believe it or not, I could swear that I have two more in the archives that I've never ripped.  Not sure if I'll ever be able to rip those though, I seem to recall leaving them in the car too long and they got really hot. There might not be any info left in the grooves, if there are even any grooves left.  I should check and see, I suppose, and toss them if they are no good.  But there's other stuff to do today.  Like share more music!  This is The Lundstroms-Christmas With The Lundstroms (Tempo R-7198, Stereo).

1. The Messiah Has Come
2. I Know How
3. Didn't He Shine
4. Christmas Medley
5. O Holy Night
6. Country Christmas
7. Daddy Will Be Home For Christmas
8. Mr. Snowman
9. Little Stranger In A Manger
10. It's Christmas

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Colorado!

Look, I found a Colorado Christmas record in the archives!  So it's another stop on the US leg of our world tour this season. We're getting real close to the end but great things like this just keep popping up from who knows where.  If you didn't get it from the first time I shared it in 2010, you'd better download it now before it goes away forever.  This is The Lundstroms-Colorado Christmas (Tempo/Message R-7230, Stereo).

1. Jesus Christ Is Born
2. Colorado Christmas
3. Beauty Of The Snow
4. I Can Hardly Wait Till Christmas
5. Now I'm Not Lonely At Christmas
6. Why Isn't Everybody Singing Allelu
7. Sing Along Christmas
8. Christmas Medley
9. Christy's Christmas Prayer
10. I Needed A Savior To Care
11. Our Love Is Like The Mountains

MEGA