Christmas In July 2020-25

Is this the 25th part? I think it is. I loose track of where I'm at most days. For the first time in months, I ripped some Christmas in July music for you today.  Everything I've been sharing has been in the books for months, but today I was finally able to shake off some doldrums and put some vinyl on the turntable.  And then on the fourth or fifth record I recorded, it turned out to be a 78 RPM and needed the fatter needle.  So I got that all sorted out, then the third side I wanted to rip had a big needle dig on it, and I've been trying to get that to play through for the past couple of hours. But after a lot of time and effort, and some backwards recording, I think I finally got the track to sound correct.  Of course, it's a Thanksgiving track, so you might not get to hear it until the end of the month. But I had to share the story of all my work with you, just in case this post goes up a little later.  We'll see.

1. I Will Carol In The Morning by an unknown artist from Music For The Choral Ensemble Vol. XV-Young Choir Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-3500, Stereo, 1983). Demo track number one. This was one of the tracks I finished up today for you. Pretty sure I ripped the vinyl a few months ago, but I just finished the work this afternoon. Hope it was worth the trouble.  It was a double album, and all the stuff was on the first LP. But it was too warped to record.  After messing with it for a while, I lost the will to mess with vinyl for a long, long while.

2. Winter Games (1988 Winter Olympic Theme), by who-knows-who, from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988). Demo track number two, but at least it's kind of interesting and Olympics related.

3. Ave Maria by The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box from Old Music Box Melodies (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).

4. I Saw Three Ships by yet another unknown artist from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Not a demo recording, but not far from it.

5. Peace On Earth by Pinellas Park Senior High Chorus-William Renfroe, Director from Choral Sounds 1977-1979 Volume 1 (Suncoast Recording Service KM 3668, Stereo, 1979). I kinda liked this one.

6. Hansel And Gretel-Evening Prayer (Act II) by Christopher Lynch, Tenor, With Eugene Bossart, Piano, And With Orchestra Conducted By Paul Affelder from Bless This House-The Children's Hour (Columbia Entre RL 3016, Mono).  OK, so it's not Christmas, but it could be...

7. Moonlight In Vermont by Jr. Walker And The All Stars from Soul Session (Soul (Motown) SM 702, Mono, 1966). You can never go wrong with a little dose of Motown.

8. Winter Song by Maplewood Glee Club, Warren G. Schmoll-Director, Rosalind Dobie-Accompanist from Maplewood Glee Club 1965-Maplewood Community Recreation Service (HMR Productions RC-94 (AKA RC-134) Side 2-1965 Winter Concert, Mono, 1965). Still lovin' the local stuff.

9. Skaters Waltz by George Wright from Sweet And Low (HiFi Records Life Series L1011, Stereo, 1963). How many versions of this one have I shared in the last week? Pretty sure there are more to come, so I hope you're enjoying it.

10. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra from Academy Award Hit Songs-All 34 Winners 1934 to 1967 (London 2xLP CHA S-1, Stereo, 1969). Another song from the nice double album.

11. Chime Bells by Coleen & John from their self-titled album, Coleen & John (U.A. Recording UA-FSD-1190, Stereo). Not sure if this has anything to do with Christmas or not...

12. This Little Babe by Okemos High School Concert Choir from Sixth Annual Albion College Invitational Choral Festival (Delta DRS81-128, Stereo, 1981).  Still more to go from this LP.  The get-together must have been sometime near the Christmas season.

13. Shepherd's Pipe Carol by The Cantata Singers In Quakertown, Ifor Jones Conducting, Bonnie Fix Keller At The Organ from A Service Of Lessons And Carols (CS CSQ1001, Stereo, 1975). Another one with lots and lots of tracks.

14. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) by Children's Choirs Of First Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Director: L. Campbell Bunting, Organist: Jan Birtcil from Great Hymns For Children-Album 2 (Graded Press MPH-1299, Mono, 1963). Pretty sure I have other volumes of this one somewhere.

15. Maris Walks Among The Thorns by Regina High School Chorus-Ms. Marianne Antonich, Director from Christmas & Spring Concerts 1977-1978 (Melody Recording KM 2623, Stereo, 1978). I'm guessing this isn't the same Maris who used to be married to Frasier Crane's brother Niles.

And that's it.  I didn't think I was done because I mis-numbered one of the tracks above and my could kept coming out wrong. But I've got it all fixed now.  Here's the download, have a good night!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 18

Good morning!  Here's your daily dose of nut-cracking good music, courtesy of Frederick Stock Conducting The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, from the album Nutcracker Suite-Tchaikovsky (Columbia/Entré RL 3002, originally recorded 1939, Mono). Yep, a real professional outfit here on a major label.  Sure you'll enjoy this one!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-24

Friday!  Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday! Friday Friday.  Friday. Friday, Friday, Friday.

1. Cantique by Pinellas Park Senior High Chorus-William Renfroe, Director from Choral Sounds 1977-1979 Volume 1 (Suncoast Recording Service KM 3668, Stereo, 1979).  This is as good a place to start as any.

2. Hodie Christus Natus Est by Wagner College Choir-Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, Conductor from Wagner College Choir (Recorded Publications Company Z-33971/33972 (Staten Island, New York), Mono). The trouble with these homemade jobs is that they're hard to date.  Some of them tell you the date right in the title, but many of them don't.  It would take a lot of research in just the right newspapers to put a date to these things.

3. Procession by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). Finally, a professional job.

4. Go Tell It On The Mountain by The World Action Singers Of Oral Roberts University-Joyce Lampkin, Soloist-Arranged And Conducted By Ralph Carmichael from Oral Roberts Presents (Light LS-5520-LP, Stereo, 1970). Music from  one of the old-school TV preachers.

5. Carol Medley by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo). Not sure who Carol is, but this is her medley.

6. Toyland by Al Goodman And His Orchestra from Relax With Victor Herbert (RCA Victor LPM 1023, Mono, 1954). A track from one of the very first 12" LPs released on RCA Victor (they started with LPM 1001).

7. Six Feet Of Snow by Little Feat from Down On The Farm (Warner Bros HS 3345, Stereo, 1979). In case you needed a little more classic rock after yesterday.

8. Moonlight In Vermont by Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra, Voice Of Lois Winter from Let's Get Away From It All (Decca (MCA) DL 74723, Stereo, 1966).  If there's not enough Christmas content in this song for you, at least the vocalist is named Winter...

9. A Babe Is Born by South Denver High School Choir-Richard B. Eichenberger, Director from The South High School A Cappella Choir 1954-1955 (Colorado Recording Company LP-4 Transparent Red Vinyl, Mono, 1955). Some Christmas from the Mile High City.

10. The Winter Of My Discontent by Anthony Newley Accompanied By Ray Ellis And His Orchestra from In My Solitude (RCA Victor LSP-2925, Stereo, 1964). Did Ray Ellis ever release any real Christmas music? I need to look him up.

11. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by an unknown artist from Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983). The first demo track of the night.

12. Let There Be Peace On Earth, Conducted By Jay Dawson, from Arrangers Publishing Company-Marching Band (Arrangers Publishing Company 2xLP APC 107, Stereo, 1991). And the second one, even though this one has an actual artist.

13. Today Is Born A Child On Earth by Lutheran High School West Concert Choir from 25th Anniversary Of Cleveland Lutheran High Schools - Commemorative Album 1948-1973 (United Sound Recorders USR 5036, Stereo, 1973). Back to Ohio, as usual.

14. December-Christmas by Yevgeny Svetlanov Conducting The U.S.S.R. Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky-The Seasons (Columbia Masterworks/Melodiya 2xLP MG 35184, Stereo, 1978). Keep in mind how the world was arranged when this LP came out. Russian artists didn't appear on American labels, it just wasn't done. This was only a couple of years before Reagan came along and heated up the Cold War, but it was still a war at the time, and Russia was the enemy.

15. Silver Bells by The Murk Family With Accompanist Betty Bowman from Holiday Musicale (Sacred Knof Recordings SKR-LP-1170, Mono).  Good track from the Murks.

And that's it.  In case you've forgotten already, it's Friday!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 17

Finally Friday!  Here's your Nutcracker for the day.  It's so cheap that they didn't even give anyone credit for it. For all I know it's the same as another version I've already shared, but I don't care.  This one was pulled from Music For A Sunday Afternoon (Tiara TMT 7548, Mono). My notes tell me that the track titles aren't listed on the sleeve or the label, but they were banded on the vinyl.  So I gave them the most common names for the eight tracks.  This is really budget label stuff here.  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-23

What day is this? No, really, I've forgotten.  Oh, it's Thursday. Good, tomorrow is Friday.  I may make it to the weekend. I made you an extra large helping of tracks tonight, just to whittle down the pile a little bit faster. I'm still too tired to do the math and see how many songs to share each day, but it'll sort itself out, it always does. Here we go.

1. Echo Carol by an unknown group from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Oh, forgot to mention, the track pile I want to whittle down is the one that has all these demo recordings in it.  So expect a few more here as we go along.

2. This Day Our Lord Is Born by Junior Choir-Judith Jarve, Director-Mildred Karpinen, Organ from Grace (No Label NR8513 (Calumet, Michigan), Stereo, 1977). Lots of kids singing.

3. The Marvelous Toy by Boardman And Andress from Excerpts From The Music Book (Holt, Rinehart And Winston P16966 Demonstration Record-Not For Sale, Stereo, 1983).  Sort of a demo record, but with narration.

4. Les Patineurs (The Skaters' Waltz) by Douglas Gamley-National Philharmonic Orchestra from The Skaters Waltz, Espana & Other Waldteufel Favorites (London Treasury (Decca) STS 15572, Stereo, 1982). Obligatory ice skating song.  I guess it's not specifically ice skating, but I don't think they had roller skating when it was written.

5. Snow Frolic by Frances Lai from Love Story (Paramount PAS 6002, Stereo, 1970).  Yep, another Christmas tune from the sappy movie.

6. Navided Nuestra-Los Pastores (Chaya Riojana) by Los Fronterizos-Cantoria De La Basilica Del Socorro-Directed By Father R.P. Segade-Conducted By Ariel Ramirez from Misa Criolla-From The Argentine-A Folkloristic Expression Of Religious Emotions (Philips (Netherlands) 6527 136, originally released 1964, Stereo, 1980). More Argentine Christmas music via The Netherlands.

7. Adoramus Te Christe by The Choir Of Mary Baldwin College-Gordon Page, Director from The Choir Of Mary Baldwin College, 1958-1959 (Herman Schultz Recordings K8OP-4687/88, Mono, 1959). Not strictly Christmas, but you know...

8. (Now I'm) Out In The Cold Again by The Five Man Electrical Band from Sweet Paradise (Lion (MGM) LN 1009, Stereo, 1972). Yep, a song from the hippies that brought you Signs.

9. The Sound Of Music-Excerpt (My Favorite Things) by William Steinberg And The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from Symphonic Pictures Of Lerner & Loewe's My Fair Lady And Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music (Command Classics/ABC CC 11041SD, Stereo, 1968). Pretty sure this record was just two side-long medleys of music from the plays. I edited the bit out that I wanted and left the rest buried in the vinyl.

10. Jingle Bells by the unknown artists at Silver Burdett Records, taken from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966). I love these records that have a lot of music on them that I can share, but they get boring after a while. Sorry about that.

11. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by The Glasgow Orpheus Choir, Conducted By Sir Hugh Robertson from Favourite Songs (Starline (UK) SRS 5124, Electronic Stereo, 1972). Written by our old friend Johann Sebastian.

12. Ave Maria by The Senior Chorus-John N. Kehayas, Conducting, from The Pittsburgh Public Schools Spring Music Festival-Senior High Schools Concert (MobilTone Studios MTS-05089-2-B, Mono, 1969).  Looks like we're back over in Pennsylvania now.

13. Let There Be Peace On Earth by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist, Soloist-Ruth Tormala from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Back in Ohio.

14. White Christmas (From "Holiday Inn") by Nelson Eddy from There's No Business Like Show Business-The Magical Songs Of Irving Berlin (Book-Of-The-Month Records 4xLP 60-5256, originally recorded 7/16/51, Mono, 1978).  When you see a collection devoted to Irving Berlin and his music, you gotta check for White Christmas and I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.

15. Away In The Manger by an unknown artist from Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983). I told you there were more demo tracks coming.

16. Do You Hear What I Hear, another unknown artist, this time from Superior New Works For Concert Band Vol. XV-Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications JP-5100, Stereo, 1984). And more.

17. A Seasonal Suite, again with the unknown artist, now from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980). And another.

18. November-"Troika" (Sleigh Ride) by Yevgeny Svetlanov Conducting The U.S.S.R. Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky-The Seasons (Columbia Masterworks/Melodiya 2xLP MG 35184, Stereo, 1978).  More Russian music performed by Russians.

19. Carol Medley: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Silent Night by The Murk Family With Accompanist Betty Bowman from Holiday Musicale (Sacred Knof Recordings SKR-LP-1170, Mono).  More good stuff from the Murk family.

20. A Babe Is Born by who-knows-who from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  Sorry had to slip one more demo track in here for you.

And that's it for tonight.  A lot of songs, but hopefully some things that are worth your time.  Give it a download and a listen, then come back and let me know what you think.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 16

Now that we've made it past the halfway point, well, nothing's really going to change. I've still got a nutcracker a day for you for the time being.  Today's version is by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra (or Kosty to his friends), from the LP Nutcracker Suite + Music Of Tchaikovsky (Columbia Masterworks ML 4151, Mono, 1950). I believe Kostelanetz was Russian, just like Tchaikovsky, so perhaps he was a special feel for this music.  Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-22

Wasn't sure I was going to be able to get this up for you tonight, but I've got a few minutes here and I'm going to post tonight's share for you. As usual, I hope there's something in here you'll enjoy.

1. Christmas In The Air by an unknown artist from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Starting (and ending) again tonight with demo recordings.  Hope they're not the same song again...

2. Were You There On That Christmas Night? by Senior Choir-Mildred Karpinen, Organ from Grace (No Label NR8513 (Calumet, Michigan), Stereo, 1977). I didn't know there was a Calumet in Michigan.  I'm only aware of Calumet City outside Chicago, and that's only from The Blues Brothers.

3. Snowflakes by Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings from Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  For my money, the best track from this LP. I've shared it before, but never in stereo. Though listening to it, I think it's just a re-write of Holiday for Strings.

4. Chilly Winds by Nancy Ames-Arranged And Conducted By Joseph Scianni from I Never Will Marry (Liberty LST-7329 Audition Record, Stereo, 1963).  What is this, the fourth version I've shared of this song this year?

5. The Childhood Of Christ-Repose Of The Holy Family by The Stockholm Concert Orchestra-Conducted By Hugh Ross from The Majesty Of Sacred Music (Word W-4027-LP, Mono, 1966). I wonder if this was recorded in Stockholm, or if it just used their orchestra? I don't remember what the liner notes had to say about it.  That's a big drawback of recording all this stuff ahead of time, I can't remember details about some of the stuff.

6. Bells Ring by some unknown folks from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Whoops, this one is labelled as a New Year's song, so I should have saved it for the end of the month.  My bad, I got in a hurry.

7. Gloria by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Chorus-William Bent, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972). I don't think this is the hit by Them...

8. Joseph by John Ylvisaker from A Love Song (Avant Garde AV-112, Stereo, 1968).  Like this one, I don't remember much about the record at all...

9. Interlude For Harp by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). You need more harp in your holiday.

10. E Is For The East, Where A Bright Star Shone by Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). How much of the alphabet do they devote to the birth of Jesus? Quite a bit, it turns out.

11. The Penguin by Dave Harris And The Powerhouse Five from Dinner Music For A Pack Of Hungry Cannibals (Decca DL 4113, Mono, 1961). I know penguins are from the opposite pole as Santa Claus, but I'll take any chance to share another Raymond Scott tune.

12. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo). For whatever reason, they appear to have credited this song to Irving Berlin instead of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I get those two confused all the time, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

13. The Skaters Waltz by Arturo Toscanini And The NBC Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite (RCA Victor Red Seal LRY 9000, mono, 1953).  This may be the only instance this season where a share a selection from a record that I've also shared a complete version of The Nutcracker Suite. That doesn't seem to be a common occurrence.

14. The Star And The Wisemen by The Mennonite Hour A Cappella Men's Choir; Audrey Shank, Contralto from The Stranger Of Galilee-A Musical Portrait Of The Life Of Christ (Word WST-8436-LP, Stereo, 1968).  Those Mennonites sure do like to sing. And pies, they like pies too.  Lots of Mennonite restaurants around here are noted for their pies.

15. The Holly And The Ivy by an unknown artist from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980). As promised, another demo track.

That's the end. Enjoy the music!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 15

And, that brings us to day 15, pretty much the halfway point of the month. In honor of your having made it this far, I present to you what I think it the single most exciting version of The Nutcracker Suite that I have recorded for you this month. It's one that has sat in my collection unnoticed for a long time.  But I finally picked it up this year and read what it said on the cover. All I needed to see was Arp Synthesizer and I knew I had a winner.  This is Kraft & Alexander Performing On The Arp Synthesizer from the album Tchaikovsky-1812-Nutcracker Suite (London/Decca SPC 21168, Stereo, 1977).  Yep, it's the whole thing cut into a rare four parts and all performed by two guys and some electronic instruments. It's straight outta the Main Street Electrical Parade!  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-21

Good evening! Welcome to part 21 of the July festivities!  Hope you're having a blast, and maybe the music is making you feel a little bit cooler.  Low around here last night was 84 degrees, I need all the Christmas spirit I can get.  Here're fifteen more tracks you feel the spirit.

1. (All I Want For Christmas Is) My Two Front Teeth; Christmas Morn Is Coming (Excerpt) by an unknown artist, and taken from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Yes, the demo tracks just keep on a'comin'.

2. Joy To The World by Steve Erquiaga, Frank Martin & Kenneth Nash from Spectrum-The Colours Sampler (Colours SPCN-7-100-14782-4, Stereo, 1985). Interesting version, but very New Age.

3. Merry Christmas, Doctor by Nichols And May from The Best Of Mike Nichols And Elaine May (Mercury SR-60997, Electronically Created Stereo, 1965). Some Christmas psychiatrist comedy for you.

4. Sleigh Ride by Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra from The Music of Leroy Anderson, Vol. 1 (Mercury SR90009, Stereo, 1958).  The bestest of the Leroy Anderson songs I've got to share this season.  A real classic.

5. Frosty Morning Blues by Bessie Smith from Any Woman's Blues (Columbia 2xLP G 30126 (Originally recorded 1924), Mono, 1970). Everything that's old comes around again.

6. Freischutz Prayer by The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box from Old Music Box Melodies (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).  Is this a Christmas song? It was mixed in with the other Christmas music on the record, so I went ahead and grabbed it.

7. Out In The Cold Again by Frankie Lymon from Soul Souvenirs Of Yesterday (AKA The WOL Soul Brothers Present Their First Anniversary) (Roulette R-25337 (Radio station WOL, Washington, DC), Mono, 1966).  From one of those seemingly ubiquitous oldies compilations put out by your local radio station. This is the third or fourth version of this song that I've shared this season.  Previously, I think I'd only ever seen one version.

8. Toyland (From The Operetta "Babes In Toyland") by the great Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra from Dance With Me! (RCA Camden CAL-329, Mono, 1956).  Monroe almost has enough Christmas music in his catalog to make an album. I need to see if I can dig up some old transcription discs somewhere to make a full Christmas album. I know I have three or four recordings of Let It Snow that he did, but I doubt if anyone needs to hear all of those on one album. Wait, does he even sing on this one?

9. A Christmas Song by the unknown artist at Silver Burdett Records, and coming from the LP Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966). Lots of songs from this one.

10. Alleluia, Glorious Is Thy Name by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Chorus-William Bent, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972).  Local group done good.

11. The Village Of St. Bernadette by Ronnie Brown With Orchestra Under The Direction Of Henri René from Presenting The Velvet Piano Of Ronnie Brown (Columbia CL 1492, Mono, 1960).  Never heard of the main artist here, but Henri Rene is great!

12. Spring Carol by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp-Victor Lederer, Soprano-Tim Kimsey, Alto, from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973).  Is a Spring Carol anything like a Christmas Carol?  Maybe...

13. Do You Hear What I Hear? by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Another record from which I pulled a lot of tracks this year.

14. The Skaters' Waltz by Reginald Dixon from Tiger Rag (Starline (EMI) (UK) SRS 5056, Stereo, 1971). Because you can't have too many version of a calssic.

15. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth by an unknown group on Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983).  We started with a demo track, we may as well end with one. And interestingly enough, it's even the same song.  Sorry about that.

And that's it for tonight.  Thanks for following along.  Hope you're finding some treasures in there once in a while.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 14

Almost to the halfway point of the month here, and I've still got plenty of versions of The Nutcracker Suite in the folder for sharing.  Hope you're enjoying them!  Tonight's version is by Boris Tolstov Conducting The Leningrad Philharmonia Orchestra, that's right, an actual Russian performance!  Or at least that's who it's credited to.  There's always the possibility that it's a pseudonymous version when the artist is a name you aren't familiar with.  The album is Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake And Nutcracker Suite (Dyna-Disc SCH-825, Stereo, 1960).  Interesting note here is the presence of the track March.  It was on the vinyl, and banded by itself, but it wasn't listed on the sleeve or the label. So quality control is not the strong suit of this label.  Anyhow, enjoy the music, and I'll be back with more tomorrow.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-20

How about that, 2020-20, that's a lot of 20's.  But I've still only got 15 tracks for you tonight. I didn't think far enough ahead to try and do that.  I did briefly think about sharing 1 track on day one, 2 tracks on day two, etc, etc, but I quickly did the math and it didn't work out right. But enough blather, let's see what's in the share tonight.

1. Two Carols (From Midnight Mass For Christmas), by an unknown artist from the LP New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980).  A demo track.

2. Young King, by a presumably different unknown artist, this time from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  I had to double up on the demo recordings because I've forgotten to include them a few days now.  I may have to dump even more of them before the month is over, there are a lot of them.

3. Slumber Song Of The Infant Jesus by The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir-Robert G. Hamilton, Director from The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir Sings '61-'62 (Acoustic Arts Recording Studios LP 126 (Philadelphia, PA), Mono, 1962). This song is probably better known as O Come, O Come Emmanuel. At least that's the title I'd give it if I couldn't see the sleeve.

4. Toy Symphony-Allegro by Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Stuttgart-Rolf Reinhardt, Conductor from A Musical Joke; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Toy Symphony (Vox PL 9780, Mono, 1956).  The first part of this symphony which doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but it has a toy theme.

5. Christmas Festival: Deck The Halls; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Good King Wenceslas; Hark The Herald Angels Sing by United States Air Force Academy Band from Seasons Greetings From The Men & Women Of The United States Air Force (No Label 2xLP No Number (Side 2-Christmas From The Air Force Academy), Stereo). This is a good one, as you might expect. Almost all of the military band records I've found have been excellent.

6. A Boy Was Born by Capital University Chapel Choir-Craig S. Arnold, Director from Serenade (No Label 1985-87, Stereo). Could that catalog number be a hint as to the date? I'm not sure.

7. Moonlight In Vermont by Tony Mottola And The Quad Guitars from Tony Mottola And The Quad Guitars (Project 3 PR5078 SD, Stereo, 1973).  From the universe of Enoch Light.

8. Introitus by The Slovakaires, Organ Accompaniment By Sr. M. Eugene Prolop, O.S.F. from Christmas With The Slovakaires (Pav Records PAV 666, Stereo). Yes, it's more Christmas music from Slovakia!

9. Troika by Jo Basile, His Accordion And Orchestra from Moscow With Love (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5940, Stereo, 1960). You were looking for some accordion Christmas music?  Well, here you go.

10. Button Up Your Overcoat by Connie Francis from Connie & Clyde (MGM SE-4573, Stereo, 1968). I think it was only a day or two after I had recorded this that I realized the name of the LP was Connie & Clyde, not Bonnie & Clyde.  Sometimes you have to learn to read again.

11. My Snowman by an unknown group from the LP Sing The Happy Romper Room Songs (Peter Pan 8121, Stereo).  No idea who this might be, though I have vague memories of watching Romper Room when I was little.  Very vague.

12. Jolly Old St. Nicholas by Don Wilson from Christmas Ain't Over Yet! (Or, Yes, Virginia, There Is A Don Wilson!) (No Label RC 108/RC 107 (Side 1 subtitled "Don Wilson's Christmas Record"), Mono).  No, I don't know who Don Wilson is either.

13. Greensleeves by Norman Roye On The Electronic Wurlitzer Organ from Midnight Moods (Design DLP 70, Mono, 1957).  Some budget label filler for your enjoyment.

14. Must Be Santa by Raffi With Ken Whiteley from Singable Songs For The Very Young (Shoreline/Rounder 8051, Stereo, 1976).  Mitch Miller, Lorne Greene, Bob Dylan and now Raffi!

15. Out In The Cold Again by Rusty Warren, Arranged & Conducted By Jack Pleis from Rusty Warren Sings Portrait On Life (Jubilee JGM 5025, Mono, 1964).  Yes, you read that right. The Rusty Warren, well-known sex-X-ponent, from an album of straight singing.  Must not have sold very well because this is the only copy I've ever seen.  So excited to find something on there I could share with you.

And that's fifteen in the pile.  Good stuff in there today, I hope you agree.  Here's the download, see you again tomorrow with more.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 13

It's time once again for Nutcracker in July, our daily dip into the broad and vaied world of the Tchaikovsky classic.  Today we've got a version by Symphony Orchestra Of The Belgian National Radio Conducted By Franz André from the album Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite-Serenade For Strings (Telefunken TCS 18001, Stereo, 1958).  I'm sure you'll enjoy it, even if it does sound pretty much like the previous 12 versions.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-19

Good evening!  The weekend may be over, but here's a little more Christmas music to make it last a bit longer. I think this may be the longest share so far due to the inclusion of a couple of really long pieces.  Hope you like it!

1. My Favourite Things by Maureen Hartley And Shirley Chapman, Orchestrated And Conducted By Sam Fonteya from The Sound Of Music (Music For Pleasure (UK) MFP 1007, Mono, 1965). You can tell it's from the UK because of the U in Favourite.

2. Song Of The Bells by Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra from The Music of Leroy Anderson, Vol. 2 (Mercury SR90043, Stereo, 1958). We hadn't seen any Leroy Anderson in a while, so I figured we were due.

3. I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing by The Porter Twin Disc Music Box from Music Box-Past And Present (Porter Music Box Records 104, Stereo, 1985).  Yes, it's the Coke Christmas song as played by a music box.

4. March Of The Toys by Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings From Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  Gotta love the Skitch Henderson.

5. Christmas Oratorio-The Sinfonia by The Stockholm Concert Orchestra-Conducted By Hugh Ross from The Majesty Of Sacred Music (Word W-4027-LP, Mono, 1966).  By Bach, I believe.

6. Atlas Eclipticalis + Winter Music + Cartridge Music (Simultan) by Ensemble Musica Negativa-Dir.: Rainer Riehn from Avant Garde (Deutsche Grammophon (Germany) 137 009, Stereo, 1969). The writing credit on this one is John Cage, but I don't know how much of it he wrote.  After a lot of confusion, I decided they were playing all the compositions at once, they weren't individual tracks.

7. I Wonder As I Wander by The Roger Wagner Chorale, Solo-Salli Terri from Folk Songs Of The New World (Capitol P8324, Mono, 1956). Good stuff.

8. Jolly Coppersmith by Al Melgard from Al Melgard At The Chicago Stadium Organ-World's Largest Theatre Pipe Organ (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5886, Stereo, 1958). I saw this on a Christmas record a long time ago, but I don't think it's really a Christmas song. But that never stops me.

9. The Angel Band by an unknown band from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Lots of tracks from this one.

10. Variations On A Theme By Prokofieff by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Band-Bernard Rightmyer, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972).  Some of my favorite classical Christmas music.

11. Snow Queen by The Kiddie Playhouse And Orchestra from An Hour Of Fairy Tales-Tales Of Hans Christian Anderson (Altone AST-224, Mono, 1957).  I haven't shared too many stories with you this year.

12. D Is For A Little Donkey That Went To Bethlehem by Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). I rather enjoy these little alphabet bits from Anita Bryant, but I haven't gotten any comments about them.  I guess you folks aren't as excited by them.

13. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8 "Christmas" by Dean Eckertson, Virtuosi Orchestra from Pachelbel: Kanon And Other Baroque Favorites (Sine Qua Non SQN-7772, Stereo, 1976).  Lots of Classical Christmas today for some reason.

14. The Toy Trumpet by Dave Harris And The Powerhouse Five from Dinner Music For A Pack Of Hungry Cannibals (Decca DL 4113, Mono, 1961). I was so excited to find this record, and then doubly so to see there was something on it could share out as Christmas.  I only wish it had been a stereo copy.

15. Two Traditional Carols by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Bringing up the rear with the ladies from Ohio.

Another good day of Christmas music, lemme know what your favorite is.  Here's the link...

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 12

Up next, more Nutcracker!  Today's version is by the incomparable Arturo Toscanini And The NBC Symphony Orchestra from the rather obviously titled LP Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite (RCA Victor Red Seal LRY 9000, Mono, 1953). As is the rule, the flip side of this one was items other than the Nutcracker, which is why I'm allowed to feature it here.   If the Nutcracker were the only thing on the record, I'd have to skip it. I know, I know, you don't want to hear about the rules, you just want to hear the music.  Link is below, see you later on.

MEGA