Time for a late night remaster, something that I was reminded about by that comp I shared late at night yesterday. This LP is from a branch of the famous Harmonicats, though not the more commercial main group led by Jerry Murad. This off-shoot was led by Don Les, an original member who later split off to go his own way. I believe he's joined on this Christmas album by Mildred Mulcay, one half of another well known harmonica outfit
The Mulcays. This album itself was something I shared way back during
2006, my second year of Christmas music sharing here at the blog. I've brought it back time and again since then, probably remastered it a couple of times in the period, but I'm doing it again tonight. Having shared this out for so long, it's got a great deal of nostalgia attached to it now. I remember not liking it very much way back then, but now I'm rather fond of it. This is The Don Les Harmonicats-Christmas With The Don Les Harmonicats (Halo Records HALO 1005, Stereo). This one is so short, I wonder if there are bonus tracks out there anywhere? I'll have to keep digging, but I'm not optimistic. I was able to dig up a couple different covers though. The main difference is a picture of the group on the back of one version. Not sure I've ever shared both versions out before. It's all in the download for you.
1. White Christmas
2. The Christmas Song
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Jingle Bells
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
6. Silent Night
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
8. March Of The Three Kings
MEGA
Thanks for explaining the various Harmonicats permutations, which have always baffled me. Now do the Harmonica Rascals.
ReplyDeleteSoon as they put out a Christmas record. :)
DeleteHave this one in the collection! It's been a while since I played it; will have to dig it out and spin it on the turntable this season.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the best, but it's not the worst. :)
DeleteThe legit Harmonicats did record "Winter Wonderland" on a Columbia compilation in 1959; ten years later it appeared on a Readers Digest boxed set titled, "Merry Christmas", which ius the version I have in my collection,
DeleteThat Columbia collection is really good. If you see it, grab it! Can't think of the name, but it has a box of ornaments on the cover with each band name and selection written on one of the ornaments. Aretha is on there.
DeleteKnow your Harmonicats! Thanks for the remaster!
ReplyDeleteThey can be hard to keep straight.
Deletewell, well, well, Ernie...
ReplyDeleteThere must be something strange about me, well there really is, that is another story, but I loved this one.
I love instrumental music first and foremost.
But by favorite type of music is what is called, at least now, Space Age Bachelor Pad music. I have numerous music folders for this type of music. I will certainly add this straight away to the SABP Christmas folder.
Nothing strange about that. :)
Delete