Christmas In July 2023-Part 22
A special little conceit today, I just finished ripping all of these tracks in one non-stop session that's ending with me posting them. I usually have things recorded a long time ahead, except for the occasional single track or two I may record in a hurry just to get it up. But all of these records just went on and off of the turntable today to give you fresh new rips. I think four of these albums even came from a single trip to a thrift store a couple weeks ago. Sometimes you go months without finding something to use, and sometimes you're able to load up in a single day. There's no rhyme or reason to it, but it sure is neat when it happens. So let's take a look at what's in the share for today, pretty sure there are a couple of things headed for a future best-of collection.
1. The George Mitchell Choir-Conducted By Robert De Cormier-The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy
2. The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Carmen Dragon-Dance Of The Buffoons (From The Snow Maiden)
3. Mike Dinapoli, Piano-Toyland
4. Doug Setterberg & Stan Boreson-Winter Wonderland
5. Elaine Stritch-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Deane Kincaide-Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
6. John Fischer With Pam Mark Hall-Mary & Joseph
7. Rick Dees And The Cast Of Idiots-Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)
Yep, some good stuff in there, along with a couple of repeats from previous years. You'll enjoy this one, take it along with you in the car today, and cool off a little bit by pretending it's Christmas.
So much Christmas music has been recorded, and it's all in your basement/bedroom/storage shed! (Most of it anyway.)
ReplyDeleteWell, some of it. I don't think I'm all that close to having it all yet, but I'm trying. :)
DeleteHighlights of the summer, Ernie. I have not stopped by to post a grateful and thankful comment for your passion and work. Your place is awesome Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and leaving a note. It's just a little hobby that's spiraled out of control. :)
DeleteDidn't know that Elaine Stritch was such a good singer! She does a good almost torch-song interpretation of "Let It Snow" here. She tends to be known for her comedic talents that hidden talents like this tend to get lost in the shuffle. Deane Kincaide is best known for the hit arrangement of Tommy Dorsey's "Boogie Woogie."
ReplyDeleteThat is probably the most recent acquisition for Christmas in July. Certainly a surprise when I spotted it in the track listing. Love it when that happens.
DeleteAnother favorite of mine on this playlist is the John Fischer/Pam Mark Hall duet. Pam has a vocal range similar to that of another popular Christian singer of the period, Michele Pillar. They really help to bring the characters and the song come to life.
ReplyDeleteHer name is in really small print on the back cover, but I knew I had to find it when I heard a girls voice coming out of the speakers. Not what I was expecting at all.
DeleteIn addition to his music career, John Fischer for years wrote a column for CCM Magazine, while Pam Mark Hall was friends with the esteemed late Christian singer-songwriter Rich Mullins. Their duet musically has the late-'70's CCM ballad sound all over it. Great selection.
ReplyDeleteBy Ray Mansfield from the Real '80s CCM website: "John Fischer is known for the quantity of quality albums he released. This 1976 release relied strongly on scripture. On this album five tracks directly quote scripture which was very well received by his audience. Many considered this a Jesus Music album but it is just too Easy Listening for me to categorize it that way. Bottom line, it's an excellent album if you like this style of music. John truly is an excellent singer/songwriter."
DeleteIf memory serves, this was the only track on the LP not written by Fischer.
DeleteThe Rick Dees cut was a very nice surprise. Not quite what I was expecting, yet it is a fine Adult Contemporary ballad that musically has a touch of the '80's sound in it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was hoping for something a whole lot funnier...
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