Christmas In July 2019-Part 52

Well, the weekend is half over, and I've gotten very little of the things done that I had hoped to accomplish by this time.  I guess have to take next week of of work, think that will be OK?  Maybe not, but I can dream.  Anyone want to hire me to play with Christmas music on a full-time basis? I've got to be better at it than some of these budget labels.  Anyhow, here are ten more Christmas songs for your weekend enjoyment.

1. Jascha Heifetz, Violinist, With Emanuel Bay At The Piano-Ave Maria from Heifetz Encores (RCA Victor Red Seal LM1166, Mono, 1952). I see where I listed this as track 43 in the metadata instead of 13.  And there are 15 tracks on the LP total.  If you want to change that in your copy, please do.  I've found so many typos this year, it's just embarrasing.

2. James Dukas-Christmas from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  Just a little spoken word bit that led into a medley I shared with you earlier this season.

3. Ursuline Academy Glee Club-Director, Sister Pius Dowd, OSU-Piano, Mrs. Bailey Guard-Hallelujah Chorus from Spring Into Song (Recorded Publications Company JZ-88621/88622 (Bethesda, Maryland), Mono). Wasn't someone complaining last year that I didn't have enough versions of The Hallelujah Chorus in the mix?  I hope I've made up for that a little this year.

4. Northwestern College Male Chorus-Arnold O. Lehmann, Director-Little Drummer Boy from Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisconsin, Male Chorus (Recorded Publications Company Z-27011/27012, Mono).  Just found this LP a day or two ago, but I see where I've shared other music from this school before.

5. German Kaliope-Oh, How Joyfully (O Sanctissima) (Played Without Bells, Then With The Bells) from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  Every time I think I'm done with the music boxes, another one pops up.

6. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Pół Noc Już Była-'Twas At Midnight from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  If you listen to these Polish Christmas carols enough, you kinda like 'em.

7. George Feyer, Piano And Harpsichord, With Rhythm Accompaniment-Waltz Of The Flowers From Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite from Echoes Of Childhood-For Children Six To Sixty-Six (Vox 10" 33 RPM VX 710, Mono, 1954).  This is the track that I first noticed on this LP.  The others I shared were the songs I noticed after I pulled it out to record it.  That happens more often than you might expect.

8. Josef Locke With Chorus & Orchestra And Organ Conducted By Robert Carruthers-Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) (In Latin & English) from A Tear, A Kiss, A Smile-The Best Of Josef Locke Volume 3 (EMI (UK) GO 2042, Stereo, 1992).  Lot of songs from this guy this year, for someone I've never heard of. But I guess you can't know everything or everyone.

9. Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers-Wilbur H. Schowalter, Director-Christ Is Born from 1972-1973 Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers (Custom Fidelity CFS-3256, Stereo, 1973).  I should look this school up, they sure are prolific.

10. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-Frosty The Snow Man from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  Last, and maybe least, our demo track for the day.  Enjoy!

Another good collection in the can!  Have a listen!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 51

Missed my scheduled noon-time share today, but I'm back at the computer and trying to put together something in real times.  Funny how it always seems to be the weekends when I run out of steam and can't keep up with the posting. I guess there's just too much other stuff going on that I want to get involved with.  Anyhow, let's jump in and see what's in the pile today!

1. Arranged And Conducted By Roger King Mozian-The Bells Of St. Mary's from Spectacular Brass (MGM SE3844, Stereo, 1960).  Part of a series of stereo spectacular discs from MGM, it's good stuff.

2. Jimmy Jenson-I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas from The Swingin' Swede (aka This Is Jimmy Jenson...The Country Swingin' Swede!) (Jay Records LP-1001, Stereo).  More Yogi Yorgesson music with a country lilt.

3. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Accompanists, Katherine Sutch, Janis Black-Jeanette Isabella from The Joys Of Christmas And The Sounds Of Today (United Sound USR-4976, Stereo).  So glad I stopped into the Salvation Army store last week on my way home from the eye doctor.  That's where the two record from this high school group came into my life.

4. Unknown Artist-Joyful All Ye Nations from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Another demo record from a large pile of such records.  I've still got 15 or so of them that I didn't even record for this year.

5. Schola Moderna Chorale, Early Instruments, Organ, Members Of The New York Brass Quintet, With Oswald Hoffmann-Narrator-The Magnificat from Luther Legacy (A Cshola Moderna Recording 2xLP SML-450/451, Stereo).  Another track from this very professional looking album

6. The Irish Rovers-The Marvelous Toy from On The Shores Of Americay (Decca/MCA DL 75302, Stereo, 1971).  I've been fans of these guys ever since I first heard The Unicorn in junior high school.  And then of course that led to Shel Silverstein in general, and the world is a better place because of him.

7. Les Brown And His Band Of Renown-The Nutcracker Suite from Concert Modern (Capitol T959, Stereo, 1958).  A frequent share around here, but it's just that good.

8. Tom Glazer, Vocals And Guitar, And His Friends-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer from Children's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (CMS Records CMS689, Stereo, 1977).  A bonafied Christmas classic right there, no excuses needed!

9. Poplar Hill Development School-See The Flakes Of Fleecy Snow from My Northern Home-Poplar Hill Development School's Students Sing (No Label, No Number, Red Lake, Ontario, Stereo, 1972).  One of the very first tracks I found after the conclusion of last season in July, and one of the first things I ripped for this season.

10. New York Percussion Trio-Sleigh Bells from GE Stereophonic High-Fidelity Presents Selections In Stereo-Colorful Excerpts From 15 Brilliant Albums (General Electric & The Stereophonic Music Society Record Club S 172, Stereo).  It's really just Sleigh Ride with a different title, but it's well done and I like it.  I'm sure you will too. I need to find the full album with this on it, not just the sampler I grabbed it from.

That's it, ten songs, posted late, but posted none the less. Something for everyone today, hope you enjoy it.  Here's the download link, see ya'll later.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 50

Hello, and welcome to the 50th installment of Christmas in July for 2019!  In honor of this momentous occasion (which also coincides with the 50th anniversary of man walking on the moon), I'm giving you the biggest share this year, 69 minutes of music, including two side-long compositions that will either bore you to tears or make you sit up and say hmmm.  Let's see what's in the huge pile this morning.


1. The Symphony Of The Air (Formerly The NBC Symphony)-The Nutcracker Suite from Presentation Album (The Symphony Foundation Of America E4-KP-7583/7584, Mono, 1954).  The first side-long recording is this somewhat rare version of Tchaikovsky's Christmas tableau.  I thought this LP looked a little off when I first saw it, and a little research told me it was something special.  After the death of Toscanini, the NBC Symphony tried to carry on as The Symphony Of The Air.  I believe this album was made available as a fundraiser, but as a suggested donation of $10 in 1954, it couldn't have sold very well.  It took me a long time to rip it, and I had to use two different needles, but I think I coaxed some decent noise out of the old grooves.  The vinyl was tracked, but there was no listing on the sleeve or label for anything other than the whole side.  So rather than trying to split it into it's component parts, here's the whole thing in one fell swoop.  Also, the symphony is performing here without a conductor.  Sounds pretty good for no one being in charge.

2. Unknown Artist-Good News, Great Joy from Choral Celebration Vol. V (Jenson Publications JP-4000, Stereo, 1983).  You know we can't have a share this year without one of these demo tracks.  Except for a couple of days where I forgot to include one.  And at least one day when I included two by accident. I'm new at blogging, can you tell?  Just started this in 2005.

3. Musical Visions Orchestra-Greensleeves from Musical Visions (Amphion Modern SP7373, Stereo, 1973).  I'm afraid I can't tell you much about this one, I don't even remember recording it.  Let me skip to it and give it a listen real quick, see if that brings back any memories. No, not really...

4. J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding-Little Drummer Boy from Betwixt & Between (A&M/CTI SP 3016, Stereo, 1969).  The second track from this LP I've share this year, and they are both great. Too short, but great.  I honestly can't tell you which is the best.  I'm sure one or the other will go on the eventual greatest hits collection, but I can't say which right now.

5. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969).  More handbells!  Yeah!

6. Arthur Winograd Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London-March Of The Dwarfs From Lyric Suite, Op. 57 from Marches For Children (Audio Fidelity FCS 50,007, Stereo, 1959).  Not really Christmas, as far as I know, but cute.

7. The Lutheran Church Of The Good Shepherd-Midge Payne, Director-Mary's Little Boy Chile from Shepherd Choir 1978 (Audio Engineering Associates AEA-1221, Stereo, 1978). What? More Lutherans?  They're everywhere this year!

8. Ralph Carmichael Orchestra And Chorus-Night Of Miracles-Christmas Cantata from IV Corps United States Army Presents Night Of Miracles/Gospeland U.S.A. (Prestige Productions 13613/13614, Stereo).  This is the other side-long recording, a record made for radio play so there's an announcer who comes along every once in a while and tells you stuff he thinks you need to know.  I wound up with three copies of this one in the archive, and for the life of me I don't remember buying any of them.  It was in a pile of military-related recordings I pulled together for last Christmas, but since it was only one side, I figured it should go in with the Christmas in July stuff.  If memory serves, Carmichael recorded a regular LP of this composition, so it's probably longer than this one-sided version.

9. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Sleigh Ride from The Joy Of Christmas And Greats From America Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (Mark Custom Records MC 2868 (on Sleeve) UMC 2868 (on Label), Stereo).  It's just not Christmas without this song that never mentions Christmas.

10. Pat Currie-Snow Shoe Reel from Scottish Fiddler (Doncaster DS 106, Stereo).  Haven't had a fiddle record for a while.

And that's it for #50.  Gotta be something in here you like.  Follow the download link and enjoy the music.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 49

Finally Friday night!  It's been a long week, and I've been struggling to keep up, but here I am, making it all work.  Hope everyone is enjoying all this awesome Christmas music.

1. Rudolf Schock-Der Tenor Und Seine Lieder-Ave Maria from Rudolf Schock-Der Tenor Und Seine Liede-2. Folge (Electrola (Germany) 10" 33 RPM WDLP 531, Mono).  That's right, I went all the way to Germany to find this one for you. Or Germant, as I think I spelled it in the download.  Sorry about that.  Lots of typos this year.

2. The Brick Church Choir-Soloist, Virginia McConnell-A. Irvine McHose, Organist And Choir Director-Behold That Star from The Brick Church Choir (Kendall Recording Corporation LP389, Mono, 1959).  Another song I don't think I'd heard before.

3. The Atlanta Children's Choir-Directed By Mr. And Mrs. Haskell Boyter-Accompanist, Miss Adele Dieckmann-For Baby Jesus from Hear The Church's Song (Covenant Life Curriculum 10" 33 RPM 8536, Mono).  Again, I think this is a record demonstrating new hymns you can sing in Sunday school or elsewhere.  Not abridged like many of the high school band or chorus demos I've been sharing though.  Not that it's not short and sweet, but it doesn't just fade out... Oh, and doesn't that tune sound familiar?

4. Chet Baker, Narrator-Frank Evans-Grey December from Excerpt From Assorted Flavors Of Pacific Jazz-A Hi-Fi Sampler $1.98 (Pacific Jazz HFS-1, Mono, 1956).  Just an excerpt from the full song, but at least now I know that I need to keep an eye for it.

5. The Choir Of Christ Episcopal Church-Lullay My Liking from 75 Men And Boys (No Label 2xLP BL 1500 (Side 4-Christmas Carol Service) (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge), Mono). I thought that said Viking for a minute, and I was very confused.

6. Bob Crosby's Bob Cats-March Of The Bob Cats from Bob Crosby's Bob Cats In Hi-Fi (Vogue Coral (UK) LVA 9083, Mono, 1958). Not a Christmas song at all, but I liked the title.

7. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-The Rumble Drum (Flemish) from Ballads Of Long Ago (Columbia Masterworks ML 4894, Mono, 1956).  Huh, I guess there was another Christmas song on this LP. Thought I was done,

8. The Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-Christmas March from Alfred Young Concert Band Music (Alfred Publishing No Number, Stereo, 1988).  The usual publisher's demo for the day.

9. Paddy Tunney-Rockin' The Cradle from The Lark In The Morning-Folk Songs And Dances From The Irish Countryside (Tradition (Everest) TLP 1004, Electronic Stereo). That may not be baby Jesus in this cradle, but I couldn't pass it up.

10. Shirley Ellis With Jimmy Smith At The Piano-Sweet Little Jesus Boy from Christ In My Heart (Concert Records USR 9841, Stereo, 1976).  Unfortunately, it's not THAT Shirley Ellis, or THAT Jimmy Smith either. But imagine my hopes when I flipped to this record! Oh well...

That's it, ten more great tracks.  Here's the download, come back 'round tomorrow for more.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 48

Welcome to the noontime bonus share of the day.  I said I wasn't going to do this everyday, and I'm not going to, because I'm going to run out of music eventually.  But not today!  Here's ten more tracks for your Christmas listening pleasure.

1. The Students Of Pius X School-Ave Maria from Music In The Vatican Pavilion (The Vatican Pavilion-New York World's Fair 1964-65 PX-3, Mono, 1964).  I've wandered around the site of the 1964 World's Fair out in Queens, and it's pretty cool.  I don't think the Vatican Pavilion is still there, but there are lots of buildings and monuments scattered around at seeming random.  Things that look like maybe they came along later turn out to have had some odd purpose during the fair, like an elevated heliport.  It's slightly surreal.

2. Tony Martell And His Orchestra-Greensleeves from Folk Tunes-Swingin' Big Band Style (Philips PHM 200-069, Mono, 1963).  The liner notes talk about how folk music was big on campuses at this time, and yet college dances were still booking big band groups.  So someone figured this must be what the kids wanted to hear.  Maybe...

3. Billy May And His Orchestra-March Of The Toys from Billy May's Naughty Operetta! (Capitol T-487, Mono, 1954).  I think the original 10" record came out in 1954, I couldn't find a date for this later 12" version that added a few tracks.  Love Billy May and his music.

4. The Robert Shaw Chorale-Robert Shaw, Conductor-Hugh Porter, Organist-Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus from Great Sacred Choruses (RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1117, Mono, 1956).  All those voices coming out of one tiny channel.

5. Ken Griffin-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from The Sparkling Touch!-Bright And Merry Organ Favorites (Columbia CL 1709, Mono, 1961).  I had to look for a second to be sure I wasn't duplicating a track.  I was confusing Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers with March Of The Toys.

6. Charles R. Cronham-Organ And Chimes-Silent Night from Ring Out Christmas Bells/Hymns Of Faith, Hope And Joy (Mercury MG-20001, Mono, 1950).  Early music from the Mercury label.

7. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Accompanists, Katherine Sutch, Janis Black-Amen Chorus From "Messiah" from The Joys Of Christmas And The Sounds Of Today (United Sound USR-4976, Stereo).  The second song from Handel's Messiah tonight, and one I'm really not familiar with.  Nice though.

8. Howard College A Cappella Choir-George W. Koski, Director-Dadme Albricias, Hijos D'eve/Ye Viene La Vieja from On Tour In Stereo (Century Record Co. V12361, Stereo).  I have no idea how a found this one.  The title certainly doesn't identify it as Christmas, but the credits call it a Spanish Christmas Folk-Song.  How I spotted that, I can't tell you.  Spidey sense, I guess.

9. Unknown Artist-Home For Christmas from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Today's publisher's demo track. Actually the second one of the day.  I keep forgetting how much music I'm sharing each day.  I used to stick to one a day and just go longer, so this year has been quite a bit different.

10. Wayne Johnson With The Evangel Quartet-Hush My Heart, Behold The Wonder from Spiritual Classics (Music City MC WJ 114, Stereo).  Not a track I'd heard of before, but it happens to me more than I would like.  You'd think that at this point in the Christmas music game, I'd know it all, but I don't think that will ever happen.  There's just too much out there.

That's ten, I'm gonna call it for this share.  Here's the download link, see you tonight.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 47

Welcome back! Time for day 19! Here we go...

1. Los Cantadores De Boca Ciega ('59)-Christine Baker, Director-Ave Maria from A Decade Of Song 1953-1963 (Century 17634, Mono, 1964). An album collecting up recordings from a decade's worth of group recordings.  Luckily, they included this version of Ave Maria for us to discover 55 years later.

2. Sammy Davis, Jr. And Carmen McRae With Orchestra Directed By Jack Pleis-Baby, It's Cold Outside from Boy Meets Girl (Decca DL 8490, Mono, 1957).  One of the very few Christmas-related recordings that Sammy left for us.  Each one of them is a precious gem to treasure.  And Carmen McRae is no slouch!

3. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Bóg Zawitał-The Lord Greets Us from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  I don't know about you, but I've really been enjoying these Polish carols.  They're good stuff.

4. Robert Noehren At The Organ Of The Trinity Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio-In Dulci Jubilo from Organ Music Of The Lutheran Church (Audiophile AP-55 (Transparent Red Vinyl), Mono).  Those Lutherans are back...

5. Turk Murphy And His Jazz Band-Santa Claus Blues from When The Saints Go Marching In (Columbia CL 546 (Re-issue of 1954 Original), Mono, 1955).  Not the first time I've shared it, but I get excited whenever I spot it.

6. Barron Smith, John Wannamaker Organ, Philadelphia-Adeste Fideles from Urania Stereo Sampler (Urania USS 58, Stereo, 1958).  According to the liner notes on the back of the sampler album, the album this track was pulled from was only available in Mono. Not sure why they bothered with a stereo recording just for this sampler, or maybe it was on binaural tape or something.  There were a few stereo formats available before the Stereo LP in late, late '57, but they're rare today.

7. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-Christmas Festival Procession from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  Every time I think I've shared out all my handbell music, another one turns up!  There was a point as I was recording all the music for sharing this season that I didn't have any, but then they started to turn up left and right. Your get lucky sometimes.

8. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-Go Tell It On The Mountain from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  The arranger on this publisher's demo recording is Kirby Shaw, a name I think I recognize.

9. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Jingle Bells Calypso from The Joy Of Christmas And Greats From America Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (Mark Custom Records MC 2868 (on Sleeve) UMC 2868 (on Label), Stereo).  Another track from these two newly-discovered albums.  Madison Senior High is located in Madison, Ohio.  I found a Facebook page for them and posted pictures of the two albums asking if anyone knew anything about them.  Nothing yet, but it's summer and no one is paying any attention.

10. Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings-March Of The Toys from Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  A stereo recording of an album I first discovered last year from an artist I thought I knew well.  Still researching this one but coming up empty.  Surely someone knows something.

And that's it.  Ten more tracks! Plenty in there to love this morning.  Here's the download link, see you soon.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 46

Good evening!  Welcome to the 18th day of our Christmas in July celebration!  It's also the third share of the day, and the 46th of the month!  That's a lot of Christmas music for you to enjoy.  Well, you won't enjoy some of it, but there's certainly going to be some tracks in there that really blow your mind.  Hopefully there are one or two of those in the stack today.  Let's find out!

1. Mira Music Box-Angel's Serenade from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  Nice place to start, some music box action for you.

2. Tenafly High School Concert Choir-E. Brock Griffith, Director-The Annunciation from Festival Of Christmas And Spring Music 1965-1966 (HMR Productions RC 93, Mono, 1966).  Some more music for you from the guys at Tenafly.

3. Virginia Babikian, Soprano, With Beverly Ehret, Accompanist-Ave Maria from Recital In Song (Triton Record Productions RIS LP 76732, Mono, 1960).  What can I say, it's another version of Ave Maria.  I almost typed Anna Maria.  It's late...

4. Mantovani And His Orchestra-Greensleeves from Greensleeves (London LL 570, Mono, 1952).  He must have recorded this one more than once because I'm pretty sure I've got a stereo version somewhere.

5. Georgia Gibbs, Orchestra Directed By Glenn Osser-Looks Like A Cold Cold Winter from Her Nibs, Georgia Gibbs (Coral CRL 57183, Mono, 1958).  Great track alert!  Don't miss this one!

6. Jane Froman-Orchestra And Chorus Conducted By Glenn Osser-One Little Candle from Faith (Capitol T726, Mono, 1956).  Two tracks in a row featuring orchestral duties from Glenn Osser.  Total coincidence, I didn't plan that at all.

7. The Choir Of Christ Episcopal Church-Shepherds' Cradle from 75 Men And Boys (No Label 2xLP BL 1500 (Side 4-Christmas Carol Service) (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge), Mono).  Wish I knew more about this one, but it came in two totally blank sleeves.  I was glad I took the time to check inside them.

8. The Ray Charles Singers-Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year from Lovelier Than Ever (Metro (MGM) M-562, Mono, 1965).  I believe these tracks are compiled from their earlier Winter-themed album. Well, at least all the tracks I intend to share.

9. The Harlequins, Orchestration-Harrison Register-A Winter Romance from The Harlequins (Harcap LP 2541 (Capitol Custom MB-238/239), Mono, 1962).  A great song from a college group.  And for a treat, look up the cover to this one on Discogs.  And if you have a car like that you want to send me, I wouldn't turn it away.

10. Unknown Artist-The Birthday Of A King from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  The only demo track today, and the only stereo song as well.

That's it for today, hope you enjoyed something in there.  Here's the download link, see you again tomorrow.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 45

Hello, and welcome to another somewhat rare theme post.  All of the shares today feature Holiday in the name of the track or the album.  It's still a pretty mixed bag of stuff, but it's linked a bit.

1. Bing Crosby With The Music Maids And Hal And Orchestra Directed By John Scott Trotter-Happy Holiday from Holiday Inn-Bing's Hollywood (Decca DL 4256, Mono, 1962).  Probably the most well known Holiday song out there, and something I shouldn't be sharing.  But there is was, so here it is.

2. Little Johnny Everything And His Sister Judy With The Norman Leyden Child's World Orchestra-The Holiday Train from Fun For Everyday With Little Johnny Everything & His Sister Judy (RCA Victor Children's Bluebird Records LBY-1005, Mono, 1958).  Another great track from Johnny & Judy.

3. Unknown Artist-Joy To The World; Good King Wenceslas; We Wish You A Merry Christmas from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  Not a demo record, even though I don't know who the artist is.  The narrator on the album is James Dukas, but I don't think he's any of the voices heard performing the songs.

4. David Rose And His Orchestra-Autumn Holiday from Autumn Leaves (MGM SE 3592, Stereo, 1957).  The track I recorded most recently. I know Christmas doesn't occur in Autumn, but it had Holiday in the title and it was a great David Rose original, so I had to throw it in here.

5. André Previn & David Rose-Blue Holiday from Like Blue (MGM SE3811, Stereo, 1960).  Uh-oh, two David Rose tracks in a row.  That's breaking the unwritten rules around here, but I hope you'll forgive me.

6. Bob Hope-Christmas Day from Holidays (Spear/Bell 4700, Stereo, 1973).  I was saving this one for an all-comedy day, but I figured it would fit in here as well.

7. Pierre Challet And His Orchestra-Holiday For Strings from Strings In Hi-Fi (Mercury Wing SRW 16230, Stereo, 1962).  At least I found someone else doing David Rose's most famous track.  And shouldtn't this LP be titles Strings In Stereo?  Hi-Fi usually denotes mono.

8. Lynn Roberts, Carmen Baron & Juda Campbell-My Christmas Wish from Holiday Songs For All Occasions (Kimbo Educational KIM 0805, Stereo, 1978).  Music for the kiddies, but the album had Holiday in the title.

9. Richard Hayman And His Harmonica Orchestra-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers (From "Chauve Souris") from Harmonica Holiday (Mercury Perfect Presence Sound Series PPS 6005, Stereo, 1961). Great version on the harmonica!

10. The Riviera Orchestra-White Christmas (From Holiday Inn) from The Best Of Irving Berlin (Wing (Mercury) SRW-11010, Stereo).  I was pretty excited when I saw this, but I see where I first shared it out back in 2008, then promptly forgot all about it.  So it goes...

And that's it!  Ten Holiday tracks for you.  Here's the download link, hope you find something good in there.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 44

Part 44, wow, I can't believe we're this far into the season.  So much good stuff this year, I'm really happy with the selection.  Here are ten more tracks towards the complete collection.

1. Richard Keys Biggs At The Organ Of The Church Of The Blessed Sacrament, Los Angeles-Ave Maria from A Concert For Organ (Capitol 10" 33 RPM L8089, Mono).  I'm sure I've shared out at least one full Christmas album from Mr. Biggs, but I'm not sure if it's still hosted anywhere. Oh, yeah, there's one here and another one here.  Enjoy!

2. The Modern Folk Quartet-The Bells from Changes (Warner Bros W 1546, Mono, 1964).  A great yet rarely heard Christmas song, featuring lyrics by Edgar Allen Poe.  I believe it was popularized at one time by The King Family, in case it sounds familiar to you.

3. Sisters' Concert Chorus, Sisters Of St. Joseph, Nazareth, Michigan, Director-Sister Maureen, S.S.J., Soloist-Sister M. Lisette-Magnificat In The Fourth Mode from Jubilee! (Grace Note LPM-12967/12968, Mono, 1965).  Singing nuns!  No whistling though, sorry.

4. Sistine Choir (Coro Cantori Romani Di Musica Sacra-Capella Sistina C Basiliche Maggiori)-Ferruccio Vignanelli, Chief Organist, Pontifical Institute Of Sacred Music-Adeste Fideles (Oh Come All Ye Faithful) from Selections From The Sound Tracks Of The Motion Pictures Christ Is Born And Christ Is Risen (Counterpoint/Esoteric (Everest) CPST-5600, Stereo, 1972).  OK, you can't tell me tha this one isn't a Christmas song!

5. Ping Pong Percussion-China Doll from The Pinnacle Of Percussion (aka Ping Pong Percussion Sampler) (Pirouette (Synthetic Plastics) RFM 76, Stereo).  Now this one might not be a Christmas song.  It's certainly a budget label release.

6. Unknown Artist-Fanfare Prelude On: Joy To The World from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  The demo selection for this part.  Enjoy!

7. The Ringers On-The-Green-William Payn, Conductor-The First Noel from O, Clap Your Hands (Dharma GFL 1057 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  I could swear I saw a CD full of handbell Christmas music today.  I should have gotten it, but it didn't look very exciting.  Not like these recordings I'm sharing with you.

8. Madison Senior Choir-Mr. David Alan Ayers, Director-Accompanists, Katherine Sutch, Janis Black-Hodie Christus Natus Est from The Joys Of Christmas And The Sounds Of Today (United Sound USR-4976, Stereo).  The first selection from two albums I found today from this school chorus.  Each album features a full side of Christmas music, and it's all surprisingly good.  Even well-recorded. I knew I had to get started and record it fast so I still had plenty of shares left to spread it all out a little at a time for you.

9. Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra-June In January from The Joy Of Living (Capitol ST1148, Stereo, 1959).  I know I've shared this with you before, but I don't remember if it was in stereo or not. (Yes, yes it was...)

10. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Pas Des Patineurs from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958).  The second-to-last track from this lengthy ballet.

And that's it for now.  Running late in posts at the moment, not sure if I'll manage a noon post today or not.  But until then, you can download this one and enjoy.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 43

Good evening! Welcome back!  Here's the list for today.

1. The Columbus Boychoir-Herbert Huffman, Founder And Director-Donald Bryant, Associate Director-Soloist, Dale Harrison-Ave Maria from Festival Of Song (Decca DL 8106, Mono, 1955).  As good a place as any to start.

2. Walter Gieseking-Children's Corner Suite No. 5: The Little Shepherd from Children's Corner-Suite Bergamasque (Angel 35067, Mono).  I think this is the last piece of this suite.  Now you can listen to the whole thing if you like.

3. Dr. Daniel Moe Conducting Combined Orchestra And Chorus, Announcer-Tucki Apel-Christmas Concert Excerpt from Echoes Of Old Gold (Russell Recording Company, Iowa City, Iowa SS-4521-01, Mono, 1965).  I think this was a found-sound assemblage from some school, and this was a tiny bit of audio recorded at the annual Christmas concert. Not sure why I didn't put the name of the school in there.

4. Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-The Glee Men-Hanover Winter Song from College Memories (Decca DL 8222, Mono, 1956).  I think this track is even older than 1956, I suspect it was from the 78 era, and they just collected them up and put out this LP.

5. Julius Katchen, Piano-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring from Encores (London CM 9304, Mono, 1961). Have you heard enough versions of this one yet?

6. Charles R. Cronham-Organ And Chimes-Joy To The World/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear from Ring Out Christmas Bells/Hymns Of Faith, Hope And Joy (Mercury MG-20001, Mono, 1950) Two for the price of one!

7. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-Mother Mary Is Rocking Her Child (German) from Ballads Of Long Ago (Columbia Masterworks ML 4894, Mono, 1956).  Haven't shared anything from these two in a couple of days now.

8. Ursuline Academy Glee Club (Special Group)-Director, Sister Pius Dowd, OSU-Piano, Mrs. Bailey Guard-Patapan from Spring Into Song (Recorded Publications Company JZ-88621/88622 (Bethesda, Maryland), Mono). You don't see this song pop up too often.

9. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-Alleluia from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  Ooh, handbells!

10. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-A Christmas Portrait from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  The obligatory demo recording.

The end.  Thank you, come again!  Oh, here's the download link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 42

What's the answer to life, the universe and everything?  Why 42 of course! Now that we've got that out of the way, here's the music.

1. Patti Page With Orchestra And Chorus Conducted By Vic Schoen-Once Upon A Dream from Manhattan Tower (Mercury MG 20226, Mono, 1956).  A stealthy Christmas track from Gordon Jenkins' revised Manhattan Tower.  I think he wrote a few more songs for a TV special, and that's where this comes from.  She talks about how it's Christmas in the song, even though it's still July.  Pretty appropriate.

2. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-W Żłobie Leży-Lying In The Manger from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965). More Christmas in Poland for you.

3. Liberace With Orchestral Accompaniment-Waltz Of The Flowers-From Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" from Moonlight Sonata (Harmony (Columbia) HL 7157, Adridged Budget Reissue of Original LP from 1955., Mono).  You can never go wrong with a little Liberace.  Not too much though.

4. The Merrill Staton Choir-Winter Song from Passport To Pleasure (Columbia Special Products XTV 82095/82096 "Produced Especially For Chemstrand", Mono).  I guess Chemstrand was an industrial manufacturer of synthetic fibers, and they had a large plant here in Florida at one time.  That explains how this record came to be here in Florida, and I believe it's the second copy I've found.

5. Philip Jones Brass Ensemble-Christmas Oratorio-Ach Mein Herzliebes Jesulein from Brass Splendor (London Jubilee 411 955-1, Stereo, 1986). Been a while since we've enjoyed some horns.

6. Jean-Pierre Rampal, Flute & Lily Laskine, Harp-Greensleeves (Theme And Variations For Flute And Harp) from Music For Flute And Harp (Columbia/Odyssey Y 33520, Stereo, 1975).  Yep, a duet with a flute and a harp.  Not sure how we're going to top that.

7. Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers-Wilbur H. Schowalter, Director-Hark Now, O Shepherds from 1972-1973 Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers (Custom Fidelity CFS-3256, Stereo, 1973).  More from this prolific institution.

8. Unknown Artist-Here We Come A-Caroling-Vol. 2 from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Let's see if I can restrict myself to just one demo song today.

9. Sunday Morning-I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing from Gift Of Song (No Label FTR-11303, Stereo).  Your guess is as good as mine.

10. Jimmy Jenson-Jingle Bell Rock from The Swingin' Swede (aka This Is Jimmy Jenson...The Country Swingin' Swede!) (Jay Records LP-1001, Stereo).  As promised, here's another Jingle Bell Rock, and it's by the great Jimmy Jenson.

And Jimmy closes out this set.  Some good stuff today, hope you enjoy.  Here's the download link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 41

Time to make the doughnuts, err, I mean, time to share some more Christmas music!  Another ten tracks for the true connoisseur!

1. Lawrence Welk-Violin Solo By Dick Kesner-Vocal By The Glee Club-Ave Maria from Songs Of Faith (Coral CRL 57191, Mono, 1957).  The violin in this one reminded me of the Frankenstein movie I watched the other day.  The blind man who befriends Frankenstein's monster plays the violin, and the song is Ave Maria.

2. Ray Champa Orchestra-Holiday Polka from Let's Polka With The Orchestras Of Al Tercek And Ray Champa (Piknik PLP 506, Mono).  Who doesn't love a little holiday polka music!  And the cover on this one is ever so slightly NSFW, so go out there on the internets and find a copy for yourself, I'm keeping mine.

3. Paul Mickelson And Tedd Smith-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Jesus, Lover Of My Soul) from Open The Gates Of The Temple (RCA Victor LPM 1098, Mono, 1955). Another track that I have a lot of versions to dish out this year.  Enjoy it again and again and again!

4. The Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-Christmas Wish from Alfred Young Concert Band Music (Alfred Publishing No Number, Stereo, 1988).  Another rare demo recording that's actually credited to someone. I need to find a good use for the spoken introductions from these demo recordings.  Would it be too annoying to put them in front of every song in a comp?  Of course they'd be introing a different song, but it could be funny.

5. Jimmy Joyce-Orchestra Conducted By Billy Liebert And Carl Brandt-Department Store Santa Claus from The Garbage Collector In Beverly Hills (Warner Bros BS 1254, Stereo, 1959).  Another old favorite that still brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it. I love this early stuff on Warner Bros!

6. The Lutheran Church Of The Good Shepherd-Midge Payne, Director-Drummer Boy from Shepherd Choir 1978 (Audio Engineering Associates AEA-1221, Stereo, 1978).  Another version that omits Little at the beginning of the title.  How curious.

7. The Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-Hark! The Herald Angels Sing from Alfred Young Concert Band Music (Alfred Publishing No Number, Stereo, 1988).  Wait a minute.  Another demo track.  And from the same record as number four?  I need more sleep.  Sorry about that.

8. Ferrante And Teicher-Holiday For Strings from Dynamic Twin Pianos (United Artists Ultra Audio WWS-8504, Stereo, 1960).  A little more exciting than the Roger Williams version we heard last. Is that first bit backwards?

9. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-Jesus Christ, Superstar from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  This must have been lumped in with a bunch of other Christmas songs, or I don't think I would have counted it as Christmas.  But it's handbells, so maybe...

10. Greg & Steve-Jingle Bell Rock from Holidays And Special Times (Youngheart Records YR009-R, Stereo, 1989).  Music for the kiddies, but I do have another version coming up that's something to hear.

And that's it for now.  Sorry about doubling up on that one artist/album, I've been trying not to do any of that.  Here's the download for the day, see you again real soon.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 40

And here we are, the official half-way post for the season!  Part 40, plus two Thanksgiving In June posts, that's halfway, or maybe a little past halfway, depending on how much time I get to record the last few tracks I need to finish out the month.  I think it's been a pretty good season so far, how about ya'll?  Got any favorite tracks yet?  Have you even listened to any of it yet?  Saving it all for Christmas?  You have more self control than I do then.  :)

1. Dorothy Warenskjold, Soprano, With Jack Crossan, Piano-Ave Maria from On Wings Of Song (Capitol P8333, Mono, 1955).  We'll go ahead and get the Ave Maria for the day out of the way first.  This is the second and final version from this album and singer.  Funny how many artists put more than one version on their albums.

2. Bethany College Choir-Elmer Copley, Conductor-Ruth Copley, Accompanist-Christmas Wish from Bethany College Choir-Lindsborg, Kansas 1963-1964 (Stucky's Recording Service SRS-1864, Mono, 1964). You think those two Copley's are related?  Married perhaps?

3. Roger Williams With Orchestras Directed By Martin Gold And Hal Kanner-Holiday For Strings from Songs Of The Fabulous Forties (Kapp 2xLP KXL-5003, Mono, 1957).  Does this album exist in stereo?  I thought it did, and almost didn't buy this copy, but I can't seem to find it if it exists. Nice version, even though he plays it pretty straight.  No novelty instruments to be heard.

4. Eleanor Newman, Soprano, With W. Lawrence Curry, Accompanist-Il Est Né; Jesus Borned In Bethlea from Let's Sing Songs And Hymns For Primary Children (Geneva Press 69-0031, Mono). When I picked this album up from the pile at Goodwill the other day, I thought I had shared tracks from it already, but it turned out to be a different record from the same series.  I guess they all share the same cover art.  Seems like the sort of thing that's designed to teach new hymns to church groups. I suppose I could have split this into two tracks easily enough, but it was listed as once track on the sleeve, so I just left it.

5. The Robert Shaw Chorale-Robert Shaw, Conductor-Hugh Porter, Organist-L'Enfance Du Christ: Thou Must Leave Thy Lowly Dwellings from Great Sacred Choruses (RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1117, Mono, 1956). How many albums do I have with this same title?  It seems to be coming up an awful lot.

6. Sister Jean, P.M. With Orchestra-My Favorite from The Fabulous Whistling Nun Presents The Sound Of Music (AC Recording MG 200,901, Mono).  Yep, a whistling nun!  Not sure what she did with the word 'Things' from the title of her song, though.  I guess she whistled it right away.

7. Esquivel And His Orchestra-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Strings Aflame (RCA Victor LPM-1988, Mono, 1959).  Mono version from a stereo genius.  Sorry.

8. Wheaton College Men's Glee Club-H. William Nordin, Director-Charles Paton, Assistant Director-Wilson Augsburger, Pianist-The Sleigh from Wheaton College Men's Glee Club (Recorded And Pressed By RCA Custom Record Dept. H7OP-5668/5669, Mono, 1957).  I always dig this song.

9. David Munrow With Gillian Reid And Christopher Hogwood-Carol 'Nowell Sing We' from The Mediaeval Sound (The Musical Heritage Society Inc. MHS 1454, Stereo, 1970). I see a lot of these Music Heritage Society albums, but it's pretty rare to find something to share on them.

10. Unknown Artist-Christmas Tidings from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Demo.

And that's it.  Here's the share from the halfway point.  Lemme know what you think of the season so far down in the comments.  Always love to hear from you!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 39

Continuing on with our half-way day, here are the next ten tracks for your enjoyment!

1. Wesley Dalton-Ave Maria from Echoes Of The Crucifix From The Catholic Shrine, Indian River, Michigan-Volume 1 (The Catholic Shrine, Indian River, Michigan PR4M-3279/80, Mono, 1963).  One more unique Ave Maria.

2. Whitcomb (Bethel), Rochester & South Royalton High School Choruses-Directors: Carolyn W. Simmons, Shirley S. Hawley-Accompanists: Linda Galvin, Ellen Hawley-The Bells Of St. Mary's from Spring Time Is Singing Time (aka Sounds Of Music) (Century Custom V14770, Mono). Lots and lots of people singing on this one.  But pretty well.

3. Ursuline Academy Glee Club-Director, Sister Pius Dowd, OSU-Piano, Mrs. Bailey Guard-Do You Hear What I Hear from Spring Into Song (Recorded Publications Company JZ-88621/88622 (Bethesda, Maryland), Mono).  There are some more initials we need to figure out.  It's not Ohio State University, I'm pretty sure.

4. The Saint Andrew Singers-Alleluia from Ring And Sing-A Festival Of Music (Dharma GFL 1077 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  The Sing part of Ring And Sing. Not sure if I've shared out all the handbells from this one or not.

5. Brendan O'Dowda With The Westminster Sinfonia, Conducted By Merrick Farran-Bethlehem's Star from Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory (Musicor MS3081, Stereo, 1965). Don't think I've heard this song before.

6. Gayle Moran-Christmas Song from I Loved You Then...I Love You Now (Warner Bros BSK 3339, Stereo, 1979).  Nope, not written by either Robert Wells or Mel Torme.

7. Unknown Artist-The Curious Case Of The Christmas Caper from Hal Leonard Presents Expressive Arts 1984-85 (10" Flexidisc) (Hal Leonard Publishing 10" Flexidisc 840822, Stereo, 1984).  The demo track for this share.  Is this the second song from this flexidisc, or am I sharing some stuff twice?  Hold on a sec... Nope, it's the second track.  I forgot I pulled more than one song from it.

8. The Yale Glee Club-Fenno Heath, Director-Tenor Soloist: Michael A. Barnett '67-Er Is Een Kindeke Geboren Op D'aard (Dutch Carol) ("There Is A Child Born On The Earth") from The Yale Glee Club In Concert (Yale University LP-321, Stereo, 1967). And now The Dutch get a carol. Everyone gets a carol!

9. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Hark, The Herald Angels Sing from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969). Bells?  Did someone say bells?

10. Strings Unlimited-Conducted By Brazda-Holiday For Strings from Introducing Strings Unlimited (Tempo (Alshire) TS1001, Stereo).  Budget label, but not too bad.

And that's it for now.  More later.  See you soon.  Oh, wait, here's the download.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 38

Good morning, welcome back!  Today is the semi-official halfway point of the month, and I'm so excited I can't stand it.  By the end of the day, we'll be halfway through the big box of shares I've got for you this month, and it's all downhill from here.  Well, maybe not downhill as I've been trying to save plenty of good stuff for the second half, but you'll have to be the judge of that.  Let's jump in and get this post on the move.

1. French National Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Roger Désormière-Lieutenant Kijé: Troika from Suite From The Love For Three Oranges/Lieutenant Kijé (Capitol Classics P-8149, Mono, 1953).  Not my favorite version of this normally great track.  Pretty sure we had an entire Nutcracker Suite from this conglomeration last year.

2. Sarah Vaughan-My Favorite Things from After Hours (Roulette Birdland R52070, Mono, 1961). Nice version of this Sound of Music chestnut.

3. Bob Keeshan Featuring Full Orchestra And The Sandpiper Chorus-The Nutcracker Suite from A Child's Introduction To The Nutcracker Suite (Wonderland LP 143, Mono). From Captain Kangaroo himself, a great side-long version of the classic.

4. Tenafly High School Concert Choir-E. Brock Griffith, Director-O Magnum Mysterium from Festival Of Christmas And Spring Music 1965-1966 (HMR Productions RC 93, Mono, 1966).  Is this Christmas music?  Must have been on the designated Christmas side or something.

5. Shari Lewis With Lambchop And Charley Horse With Marty Gold And His Orchestra, Lan O'Kun At The Piano-Sleigh Bells from Fun In Shariland (RCA Victor Children's Bluebird Records LBY-1006, Mono, 1958).  You can't have Captain Kangaroo without also throwing in some Shari Lewis and Lambchop.  I pulled this from the original children's issue, not the later re-issue I shared before.  No difference between the two, but I was happy to find it.

6. Symphony Orchestra Under The Direction Of Miklos Rozsa-Terror On The Ski Run from Spellbound (ARA 4x10" 78 RPM A-2, Mono, 1945).  The only share of the year from an album of 78s.  Sound isn't great, but I was excited to find it.  The movie is by Hitchcock, by the way.

7. Sistine Choir (Coro Cantori Romani Di Musica Sacra-Capella Sistina C Basiliche Maggiori)-Ave Maria, Vergine Fiore (Hail Mary, Virgin Flower) from Selections From The Sound Tracks Of The Motion Pictures Christ Is Born And Christ Is Risen (Counterpoint/Esoteric (Everest) CPST-5600, Stereo, 1972).  Another unique Ave Maria.

8. Roberta Sherwood With The Malcolm Dodds Singers And Orchestra-Children, Go Where I Send Thee from Gospel Goes Pop (aka Gone Gospel) (ABC-Paramount ABCS-464, Stereo, 1963). The second track from this album. I also ripped a mono version, but I don't know if you really need those tracks.  Pretty sure they're just mixed down from the stereo.

9. Denny Hinman-Christmas In July from Denny-Dennis Hinman Plays The Yamaha Electone E-70 (Yamaha International Corp YR 5005, Stereo, 1980).  I suppose this should be our theme song around here.  Except it's just a carol or two put together for your organ enjoyment.

10. Unknown Artist-It Came Upon The Midnight Clear from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  A short demo recording, but you know that by now.

And that's it, ten more Christmas songs.  No time to waste, here's the download link.  I've got to go put together the next post.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 37

I was watching a little bit of the old Lucille Ball movie Yours, Mine & Ours just now, and I recognized the song that played during the Christmas morning scene as something I shared during a Christmas in July long ago.  It's cool to see where some of this music comes from, and to recognize it from years later.  I'm sure you'll remember the stuff shared today for many years as well, but you have to download it first.  Let's see what's in the pile.

1. Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Glee Club And Orchestra-Ave Maria from Songs In Reverence (Decca DL 8111, Mono, 1956).  One of two versions on this particular record.

2. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Soprano Solo, Dorothy Butkiewicz-Cicha Noc-Hodie Christus Natus Est-Silent Night from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  Good stuff here.

3. Redlands High School Concert Choir-Director, Wilbur H. Schowalter-Dem Kroschikondchen (To The Christ Child) (Luxembourg Carol) from Redlands High School Concert Choir 1964-65 (Handel Record Mfg. H-2008 (on Sleeve) H-2009 (on Label) Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1965).  Luxembourg gets it's own carol?

4. New Apostolic Church Youth Choir/Buffalo District-Frederick Wagner, Choir Director-The Drummer Boy from New Apostolic Church Youth Choir/Buffalo District (Lee Miles Assoc. NA10716, Mono, 1965).  Not sure why this isn't a little drummer boy.  Maybe he's grown a bit since the hit version.

5. The Four Freshmen-Holiday from Voices In Modern (Capitol T522, Mono, 1955). Modern, as in 64 years ago.

6. Circus Calliope-Jingle Bells from Calliope And Carousel (Road Recordings/Cook 2010, Mono).  Another rare record from Cook that has stood the test of time. I think this one goes on the Best-Of this year.

7. Bill Jordan And His Twin Pianos-Nutcracker Suite from Pianorama (Bar Of Music BOM-14, Mono). Does he play both pianos at the same time?  Maybe it's multitracked.

8. Dermot O'Brien & The Clubmen-The Skaters' Waltz from The Kindest Conversation (Target (Ireland) NPL 18280, Mono, 1969). Who doesn't love the accordion?

9. Pete Seeger And Banjo-What Month Was Jesus Born In? from With Voices Together We Sing (Folkways FA2452, Mono, 1956).  I have to pick up all the Pete Seeger albums I see, he's known to drop in a Christmas carol from time to time.

10. Unknown Artist-Christmas Is Christmas from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  Our only stereo share of the day, and it's a short demo track. Oh well...

There you go, ten more in the pile.  Enjoy! Oh, wait, here's the download link.  Now you can enjoy!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 36

Hello, and welcome to part 36!  We're a long ways in and we've still got a long way to go, but we're pretty close to the half-way point.  Hold tight, we might experience turbulence.  Best to keep your seat belt fastened at all times.

1. Dorothy Warenskjold, Soprano, With Jack Crossan, Piano-Ave Maria from On Wings Of Song (Capitol P8333, Mono, 1955).  Pretty straightforward version, but nice.

2. Reginald Foort, F.R.C.O.-Bells Of St. Mary (Improvisation On A Theme) from Pipe Organ In The Mosque, Vol. 1 (Cook/Sounds Of Our Times 10501, Mono).  More music from the man with all the initials.

3. Redlands High School Concert Choir-Director, Wilbur H. Schowalter-A Child This Day Is Born from Redlands High School Concert Choir 1964-65 (Handel Record Mfg. H-2008 (on Sleeve) H-2009 (on Label) Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1965).  Sure is a lot of Christmas music from this school around here.

4. Polyphon Music Box-First Noel from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono). These must be pretty fancy music boxes.  Not the little things with the pop-up ballerina I saw as a kid.

5. Del Roper On 100 Bell Symphonic Carillon-Hallelujah Chorus from Bells Of Easter (Mass-Rowe Electromusic Corp MR-3910, Mono). I wasn't expecting to find anything on an album about Easter, but there it was, last track on the record.

6. Bethany College Choir-Elmer Copley, Conductor-Ruth Copley, Accompanist-Here We Are In Bethlehem from Bethany College Choir-Lindsborg, Kansas 1963-1964 (Stucky's Recording Service SRS-1864, Mono, 1964). Took a long time for small outfits producing these custom pressed recordings to transition over to stereo.  I guess the costs were high and the demand was low.  But it eventually happened.

7. Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra Of New York-Dimitri Mitropoulos, Conductor-Lieutenant Kijé Suite IV-Troika from Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60/Kodály: Háry János Suite (Columbia Masterworks ML 5101, Mono, 1956).  Still nothing that beats the version by Sauter-Finegan, but I guess that's not really the same game.

8. The Atlanta Children's Choir-Directed By Mr. And Mrs. Haskell Boyter-Accompanist, Miss Adele Dieckmann-O Come All Ye Faithful from Hear The Church's Song (Covenant Life Curriculum 10" 33 RPM 8536, Mono).  Short, but sweet.  I think this is a demo record for churches to learn new hymns, but this would seem to be a pretty common song to find on there.  Maybe I misunderstood the purpose of the record.

9. Unknown Artist-All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Am I ever going to run out of these demo record tracks?  Unlikely.  And if I do, I'll just record more.  There are still more than a dozen of them in the stack, and I brought a new one home on Saturday.

10. The Melachrino Strings And Orchestra-Greensleeves; A Foggy Day from Our Man In London (RCA Victor LSP-2608, Stereo, 1963).  A nice little medley to end today's share with.

See anything interesting in there?  I hope so.  Download it and give a listen.  I'll see you all later, I hope.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 35

Good morning, happy Monday!  Well, it may not be a happy Monday yet, but as soon as you listen to these twelve new tunes, it'll be much happier.

1. The Friends Academy Band-Rick Van Santvoord, Conductor-O Come, All Ye Faithful from The Friends Academy Band 1965-1966 (Audiodisc Recording Blank No Number, Recorded Christmas Concert December 1965, Mono, 1966).  This is the first of two tracks I pulled from this truly home-made disc, and boy does it sound it.  The recording is OK, but the performance is sub-Salvation Army band. Which I guess is one of the joys of what I do here.  Sometimes it's so bad, it's good.

2. Butterfly Music Box-Silent Night from Music Boxes And Chiming Clocks From The Alec Templeton Collection (RCA Victor LPM-1867, Mono, 1958).  I was really excited to find this record in an antique mall in St. Pete.  I think I had to pay $2 for it, since everything in an antique mall is a valuable treasure, but it could have been worse and I was happy to have it.

3. Little Johnny Everything And His Sister Judy With The Norman Leyden Child's World Orchestra-The Story Of Christmas from Fun For Everyday With Little Johnny Everything & His Sister Judy (RCA Victor Children's Bluebird Records LBY-1005, Mono, 1958).  Pretty nice little song from an album for the kiddies on a major label.  They at least put some time into it.

4. Bill Justis-Swingin' Shepherd Blues from Bill Justis Plays 12 Top Tunes (Smash MGS 27036, Mono, 1963). Swingin' music for the teen set, though I'm not sure this is what the teens for looking for in 1963.

5. Josef Locke With Orchestra Conducted By Herbert Curruthers-Ave Maria (In Latin) from Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes-The Best Of Josef Locke Volume 2 (EMI (UK) GO 2038, Mono, 1992).  Well, you don't hear the Latin version every day.

6. Columbia Pictures Publications-Jazzle Bells from March Into 1984 With Columbia Pictures Publications (Columbia Pictures Publications No Number, No Sleeve, Stereo, 1984).  I think I found this demo record inside a sleeve for another record.  I would have thrown it back, but with a title like Jazzle Bells, I knew I had to hold on to it for dear life and share it with all of you! Why did I name this one after the publisher instead of going with my usual Unknown Artist?  I don't know...

7. Arthur Winograd Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London-March From The Nutcracker, Op. 71 from Marches For Children (Audio Fidelity FCS 50,007, Stereo, 1959).  I haven't been sharing very much music from The Nutcracker with you this year, trying to make up for an overdose last year.  I hope you appreciate that.  It sure would be easy to record and share twenty more full versions and spend my days relaxing instead of pulling one song per album...

8. Mahlon Merrick And His Orchestra-Snow Flurries from Urania Stereo Sampler (Urania USS 58, Stereo, 1958).  My favorite track of late, I love this style of strings!

9. Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings-Snowflakes from Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  A track I first shared with you last year or the year before, but now it's in stereo.  And it's very similar to that previous song, which is what reminded me to go ahead and share this one.

10. Wayne Johnson With The Evangel Quartet-Sweet Little Jesus Child from Spiritual Classics (Music City MC WJ 114, Stereo).  I should have saved the best for last.  Sorry.

And that's it.  Does this make your Monday any better?  I like to think so.  Here's the download link, enjoy the tunes!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 34

It's Sunday, it's bedtime, what else are you going to do besides listen to ten Christmas songs?  That's what I thought, nothing!

1. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Duet from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958).  The next part of this very long ballet.

2. Northwestern College 1971 Male Chorus-Arnold O. Lehmann, Conductor-Little Drummer Boy from Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisconsin, 1971 Male Chorus (Recorded Publications Company AZ 83471/83472, Stereo, 1971). Composer not listed, so hopefully Harry Simeone didn't get any money off of this one.

3. Sonny Salsbury-O Come, O Come Emmanuel from Song For All Seasons (Word WST-8810, Stereo, 1979).  This is awful late a date for me, but it's forty years ago.  I feel so old sometimes.

4. The Johnny Mann Singers-Snow from Midnight Special (Liberty L2S 5204 For Columbia Record Club SCR-3, Stereo, 1968). A great version of a song you don't hear very often.

5. The Salvation Army Band; Holz, Conductor-The Spirit Of Christmas (Christmas Carol) from Introduction To Stereo (Westminster) (Westminster WSS-1, Stereo, 1958).  I wonder out if I've shared the album that this track was pulled from for this sampler? I bet it's one of the tracks on this album though the titles are slightly different.

6. Enoch Light And The Light Brigade-Summer Me, Winter Me (From "Picasso Summer") from The Best Of The Movie Themes 1970 (Project 3 PR 5046SD, Stereo, 1969).  I'm sure I bought this one for the cover.  I'm sure everyone buys it for the cover.

7. Hugo Winterhalter-The Things We Did Last Summer from A Season For My Beloved (ABC-Paramount ST 90168 (ABC Records, Mfd. By Capitol Records), Stereo, 1963).  How many more tracks do I have from this one?

8. The Camarata Contemporary Chamber Orchestra-Traineau (The Sleigh Ride) from The Electronic Spirit Of Erik Satie Featuring The Moog Synthesizer (Deram XDES 18066, Stereo, 1972).  This one is pretty cool!

9. Unknown Artist-Up On The Housetop (Excerpt) from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Why is this demo recording listed as an excerpt when all of them are technically excerpts from the dull recording?  I think this one was a medley with some other non-Christmas songs, so that note is actually from me.

10. Austin C. Lovelace-Von Himmel Hoch from Organ Concert (Everest SDBR 3120, Stereo).  Some German Christmas music to finish up the day.

And that's it for this post and for the day.  Hope there was something in there that was worth your trouble.  Here's the download link.  Came back tomorrow for more.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 33

Good day to you all!  Or all four of you, based on the comments I get.  I used to know how many downloads my shares are getting, but not anymore.  Now I'm just operating in a vacuum.  But it's OK, I know that some people love this stuff, and they get it here, other folks just don't care. Here's another ten tracks for the folks like me who love it!

1. Mischa Novy And His Velvet Strings-Gypsy Holiday from Mischa Novy And His Velvet Strings (MGM 10" 33 RPM E-546, Mono, 1951).  A ten inch record that I didn't have back in my #10 ten inch share.  I'm always finding new stuff, so I run that risk.  I think I've got five more Thanksgiving tracks in the can already, and several that I haven't recorded, and that ship sailed last month.

2. Wesley Seminary Singers-J. Edward Moyer, Director-Pattie M. Bennet And Paul T. Morton, Soloists-I Wonder As I Wander from Surely The Lord Is In This Place (Capitol Custom PB-832/833 Wesley Theological Seminary-Washinton, D.C., Mono).  I seem to have lots more of these private recordings this year than in year's past.  I suppose I've just been paying more attention to them in the wild, and then working hard to get more of them recorded.  Some of them are really good, some of them not so much.  But they are all interesting, and you're never going to find any of them at Amazon.

3. The Hi-Lo's With Frank Comstock's Orchestra-June In January from Listen! (Starlite ST 7006, Mono, 1954). Very early for these guys, but they already have that distinct sound that made them popular.

4. Vera Lynn With Ambrose And His Orchestra-The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot from The Great Years-Original Recordings 1935-57 (Decca (UK) 2xLP SPA 3023/4, Originally Recorded 26 Oct. 1937, Mono, 1975).  I've been looking for this songs for quite a while now, and here it is finally.  I might be doing some Christmas DJ sets this coming season, and I want to play this with the introduction that it's from Pink Floyd 'The Wall'. Oh the looks I hope to get.

5. Esquivel And His Orchestra-Sun Valley Ski Run from Strings Aflame (RCA Victor LPM-1988, Mono, 1959).  The master at his height, but in mono.  Sort of like Van Gogh in black and white.

6. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Wśród Nocney Ciszy-Amidst The Silence Of The Night from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  More Polish Christmas.  I hope all those accents and acutes and whatnot came over correctly.  I spent forever trying to get them in there properly.

7. Intermediate Girls' Glee-La Palma Choral Music Department-Edwin Grace, Director-Ave Maria from Concert Favorites '68 (Handel Record Mfg. Co. H-2053, Stereo, 1968).  Not the first song from this album to be shared this year, not even the first version of this song from this album this year, unless I'm thinking of someone else.  I'm too lazy to check.

8. Mr. Acker Bilk-The Bells Of St. Mary's from London Is My Cup Of Tea (Atco SD 33-218, Stereo, 1967). Not much I can say about Acker Bilk.  You either know of him or you don't.

9. Teresa Brewer & The World's Greatest Jazzband Of Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart-Button Up Your Overcoat from Good News (Signature BSL1-0577, Stereo, 1974).  I have a copy of Teresa Brewer's Christmas record here somewhere, but I can't lay my hands on it.  The World's Great Jazz Band put out a Christmas album that is great, and I believe you can download it from right here.

10. Unknown Artist-Venite Adoremus from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  Demo record.  Must be a popular song though, I noticed I've got another version from another demo record in the pile.

The End.  Thanks for coming around.  Here's the download link.  See you later!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 32

Happy Sunday to you! Are you here for the Christmas music?  Good, because that's all I've got for you today.

1. Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Glee Club And Orchestra-Jane Wilson, Soloist-Ave Maria from Songs Of Devotion (Decca DL 8670, Mono, 1958).  Pretty sure there's another Ave Maria on this same disc.  I guess they were devoid of ideas or perhaps they couldn't make up their mind as to which to include.

2. Leif Erickson, Narrator, With Dramatic Cast-The Birth Of Christ from Bible Stories, Volume VII-The Birth Of Christ/The Good Samaritan (Cricket (Pickwick)/The Library Of Sound Education CR-207, Mono).  A side-long retelling of the birth of Christ.

3. Ursuline Academy Glee Club-Director, Sister Pius Dowd, OSU-Piano, Mrs. Bailey Guard-Carol Of The Drums from Spring Into Song (Recorded Publications Company JZ-88621/88622 (Bethesda, Maryland), Mono). Not sure why their carol is about multiple drums when most other versions are about a single drum.  Special, I guess.

4. Walter Gieseking-Children's Corner Suite No. 4: Snow Is Dancing from Children's Corner-Suite Bergamasque (Angel 35067, Mono). Another part of another suite. I've got quite a few pieces like this for the year, don't I?

5. Billy Leibert And His Orchestra-Cold, Cold Heart from Billy Leibert And His Romantic Country Strings (Capitol T1656, Mono, 1962).  The old Hank Williams song.  Certainly not Christmas, but at least it has the world cold in the title. I wonder if this guy is any relation to Dick Leibert?

6. The Luther-Annes-Dashing Thru The Church from Dashing Thru The Church (Fortress Records 12-1143-74/CSM-770, Mono).  Another satirical track for all the Lutherans out there.

7. Kay Lande, Alan Cole, Hunter Payne And The Carillon Singers-It's A Holiday from About, Volume 1 (Columbia-Children's Record LIbrary CR 21533, Mono).  Our second and final track from this record for the kiddies.

8. June Christy-Orchestra Conducted By Pete Rugolo-Love Turns Winter To Spring from Gone For The Day (Capitol T902, Mono, 1962).  I may have mentioned this the last time I shared out this track, but I've never stumbled across a copy of June's Christmas album.  Someday...

9. Mira Music Box-Silent Night from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono). Wish I had found more music boxes this year, but almost all of my songs come from one side of this same album.

10. Unknown Artist-Born This Day from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  The one and only stereo selection of the day, and it's one of those greatly foreshortened demo recordings.  Oh, well.

That's it for the morning share.  Come back later for more.  Here's the download link.