Good morning! Welcome back to the blog! When was the last time I posted anything? Middle of January it looks like. That's a long time, I hope I've still got fans who remember to stop by. This is the time of the year when I share out Christmas songs from non-Christmas records. Like many folks did, I had a Bing Crosby greatest hits record at one time, I remember White Christmas was on there, and it really stood out when it would play, mostly because it wasn't the right time of the year for such music. Since then, I've learned that Christmas music is always appropriate because you should try to keep Christmas in your heart. (OK, that story is mostly apocryphal, but it helps to illustrate the concept of what I try to do around here in July. If I didn't admit to the story being made up, you wouldn't have known...) Anyhow, I've got seven songs for you today that I recorded from slabs of vinyl that were not intended for listening to during the Christmas season. I've got lots to tell you about this post and the others, but I need to save some of my stories for the other 30 days following this one. I don't want to run out of anecdotes (or music) before the end of the month, so I'll try to keep my comments short and sweet here on the first day. Suffice it to say, we're lucky to be getting a Christmas in July this year, pickin's have been slim.
1. Bette Stalnecker With The Keyboard Artistry Of John Bos And The Bob Cline Singers-Away In The Manger (Christmas/Spirit)
2. The National Gallery-Boy With Toys (The National Gallery Performing Musical Interpretations Of The Paintings Of Paul Klee, 1968)
3. Jenson Publications-Christmas Spectacular! (Sound Ideas For Concert Band Vol V, 1979)
4. Bill Kenny Of The Ink Spots With The Song Spinners Choir And Orchestra Directed By Leonard Joy-Ave Maria (Precious Memories, 1958)
5. Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-A Yuletide Showcase (Alfred Concert Band Music (1988), 1988)
6. The Naasko Singers-It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (An Evening With Song, 1975)
7. Jenson Publications And Purifoy Publishing-Christmas Lullaby (Choral Celebration Vol. VI, 1984)
MEGA (FLAC)
Merry X-mas in July Ernie! Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteBoy, you're quick on the draw! :)
DeleteThe fastest RecordCollector around :P
DeleteYou must be the reason I can't find good records in the wild like I used too...
DeletePleading the Fifth :)
DeleteCurse you!!!
DeleteHappy Canada Day, from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Ernie :)
ReplyDeleteSo, you're only posting in FLAC this time around? If so, I will have to remember how to convert to mp3, so I can play it on my iTunes.
Have a great Christmas in July :)
I could post in MP3 as well, but it's just an extra step and then I turn around and delete them. If you can't figure out an easy way, I can start posting them. It's been a change that's a long time coming, but I'm trying it. Happy Canada Day to you as well! Thanks for stopping by here on day 1.
DeleteI tried one program, but it doesn't copy all the information... for the file, so it will take a lot of work on my side... copying from the flac file to the mp3 file. I so wish that iTunes wold play FLAC
DeleteI'm having real good luck with Media Monkey. Copies over all the tags and the image. Only trouble I've had with it was getting tags to come over from WAV files, but I think those use non-standard tags. Give it a shot, see if it works for you. I still use iTunes at home, so I feel your pain.
DeleteThank you, Ernie. It worked. Hopefully, it continues to allow me to convert. I loved using the NCH Switch Converter, but now, I can't continue using the Non-Commerical option. I'm a thrifty Norwegian after all ;)
DeleteNot sure how long the free version works, I've been using a pay version for a while now, and it does most of what I need it to do. I still use MP3TAG for my tagging needs though. Despite the name, it handles pretty much any format I throw at it and now that I'm somewhat familiar with how the macros work, I can do some batch tagging based on filename which really saves some time. The pictures and tracklist I post here are all generated out of MP3TAG. :)
DeleteDear Ernie, Great to have you back! We have an unusual hot First of July here in Cologne, Germany - still around 96 degrees at 9pm. That makes you long for Christmas and winter and you are providing the soundtrack!
ReplyDeleteI've heard it's been really hot in Europe this year. My in-laws live in Italy during the summer, and it's been so hot and hazy they can't see across the lake most of the day. This music should help to cool you down.
DeleteCool to have you posting the covers where the songs came from this year! Looking forward to listening to the Ink Spots/Bill Kenny selection; I have never come across the album posted in my record hunts. Even though pickins are slim, it looks like we will have a great Christmas In July this year.
ReplyDeleteI think I shared out that Bill Kenny before, but it's been a while. They go to a lot of trouble to call him Bill Kenny Of The Ink Spots all over the album.
DeleteThis is the first time I have heard an English version of "Ave Maria" using the Schubert melody. Kenny is superb here, perhaps even better than he was in his glory days with the Ink Spots. This particular version was recorded in 1951.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you find one interesting thing a day, my work is worthwhile. :)
DeleteWelcome back Ernie. The day is always better when I can check in for new music.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by here on the first day! Hope you can find something to enjoy!
Deleteahhh, nothing like a late night west coast check in on christmas in july post. Nice to see you,welcome back.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the party! Good to have someone to contribute something in the long overnight hours.
DeleteThanks Ernie. But why do you use flac and not mp3 as usual? Every time I must to convert because my playlists don't accept flac and is very difficult for me ...
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. I can certainly generate the MP3 files, but it's pretty redundant for me at this point since I'm not archiving them. If I get enough demand, I will create and share them, I suppose, but I think the world is moving on and I'm trying to move along with it.
DeleteOk thanks ... but try to do a survey ...
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Looking forward to your daily posts.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be back! :)
DeleteGlad to have you back, Ernie. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThank you very much, Ernie, for this Christmas in July, and especially for the flac. If I need files converted, I use dBpoweramp. Though paid, it does seem to keep all the tags.
ReplyDeleteI have been out of pocket during July these past couple of years, but I'm always keeping this blog in the back of my mind, and treat your offerings here as a welcome home surprise. For me, Christmas in August works just as well as Christmas in July, or at any other time of the year. Keep the fire burning as long as you can, and I'll keep the flame of gratitude and appreciation burning on my end as long as I can. Thanks again!
Welcome back! Hope you find something worth the listen! :)
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