CiA 2025-Day 01

No, I'm not starting over. If you've been around for Christmas in July a while now, you'll likely recall that I try to share out a batch of Chanukah tracks for you on the first day of August each year, so the title above stands for Chanukah in August. And I was lucky enough to find three tracks for you this year. Not sure if there's a real highlight among the songs for today, I was just happy to have more than one song in the Chanukah bucket this year. Just take 'em for what they're worth and be glad I found something. Enjoy!

1. Mike Green, Catherine Slonecki, April Inyard, Scott Jasnow And Kelly Kaneblet-Dreydl Song-Israel (Holiday Songs Around The World, 1994)
2. Clear Springs Chorus, Directed By Miss Shari Steffen, Accompanist: Mrs. Patricia Paul-Shalom (Clear Springs Chorus Sings)
3. Cincinnati Children's Choir-O Chanukah (World Of Music-Sample Recording K-8, 1988)

MEGA (FLAC)

All The Best From 2024

I've been trying to get to this all month, but here we are on the last day of the month and I still haven't done it. No time like the present, I guess. This is a collection of all the best tracks I shared during Christmas in July back in 2024. It wasn't my biggest or best year, but I think it's a good collection of stuff that you can enjoy listening to once the season rolls around. I threw together a little artwork based on an LP from which I shared a track during this year's Christmas in July, and it was a record from Puerto Rico, so that's the only excuse I have for trying to do it in Spanish. I found it hilarious at the time, but the joke may wear thin pretty fast. I was happy that it still looks a little homemade, like it could have come straight off an album I dug out of the bins at Goodwill. But the music is the most important thing here, so download it and give a listen. This is Lo Mejor de la Navidad en Julio de Ernesto (no Roberto) 2024! (I thought recently that Umberto might be funnier than Roberto, but it was too late to make a change.)

1. Jackie & Roy-Sleigh Ride In July
2. Skywalk-First Snow
3. Earle Warren And The Countsmen-White Christmas
4. Gene Krupa-Arranged And Conducted By George Williams-Arab Dance (From "The Nutcracker Suite")
5. Randy Sparks & The Back Porch Majority-First Snow Of Winter
6. The Wintersauce Chorale-George Guilbault, Director-Brian Marble, Associate Conductor & Accompanist-Sing We And Chant It
7. Clifton Davis-O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. George Shearing-Away In The Manger
9. The Valley Troubadours, Solo-Erwin Overby, Directed By Gloria Peterson-Let There Be Peace On Earth
10. Tracy Moore-Silent Night
11. John Denver-Please, Daddy
12. Composed And Conducted By David Amram-Mountain Snow
13. Ralph Blane Accompanied By Ralph Burns' Orchestra-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
14. Al Cobine-Trilogy Of European Carols (Come All Ye Shepherds (Czech); Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein (German); The March Of The Kings (Old French))
15. Jim Curnow-Christmas Concert March
16. Ray Heatherton And Orchestra-Created, Produced And Directed By Hal Gross-Winter Song
17. Joseph Gershenson-Christmas Holly (Inter: Love Theme From "Madame X" and My Heart Still Hears The Music)
18. Grupo Coral Exodo, Director: Jesús Porras Ruiz-Navidad
19. The Gregg Smith Singers-Gregg Smith, Conductor-The Shepherd's Carol
20. Sascha Burland And Don Elliot With The Nutty Squirrels-Arranged And Conducted By Billy Mure-Bingle Jells
21. Charles John Quarto-Christmas Song
22. The Osipov Balalaika Orchestra Conducted By Vitaly Gnutov & Viktor Dubrovsky With Ludmila Zykina-Oh, Snow, Light Snow
23. Ray Repp-In The Month Of December
24. Willa Dorsey And The Sanctuary Choir And Orchestra Of First Baptist Church, Dallas Texas, Directed By Gary Moore-Wasn't That A Mighty Day
25. Unknown Artist-Tambourine Noel
26. Jackie DeShannon-Keep Me Warm
27. Sanctuary Choir And Sanctuary Orchestra Of The Music Ministry Of First Baptist Church Atlanta-What Did You Say Was The Baby's Name?
28. The Popular Front-A Puppy For Christmas
29. Robin & Linda Williams-Chilly Scenes Of Winter
30. Randy Edelman-End Of December
31. God's Little Monkeys-New Year's Honours

MEGA (FLAC) 

CiJ 2025-Day 31-New Year's

Well, I'm back from the weekend in Atlanta and nearly forgot that I need to finish up the month here at the blog. I know that I've missed a few of the archive posts, and I hope to get to those eventually even though I don't think they're very popular. The highlight of the day is a version of Auld Lang Syne by an anonymous chorus with music by Hugo Winterhalter that I did not know about previously. It's from a movie featuring the parents of Princess Leia. How's that for a Star Wars connection? Unfortunately, neither of them feature on this track, but it's still a good find in my book. All but one of the tracks featured today are in celebration of the New Year. I had to throw in one more track from one of the same records I've featured what seems like 100 times before, just to get rid of yet another song. I think I've still got songs to share from those and the month is over, so you're assured of at least a couple more posts after this one if I can find the time to post them.  Happy New Year to all and thanks for stopping by!

1. William Harrison, Pianist-New Year's Eve (More Easy Clarinet Solos, 1976)
2. Chorus With RKO Studio Orchestra, Conducted By Hugo Winterhalter-New Year's Eve On Time's Square (Auld Lang Syne) (Bundle Of Joy, 1956)
3. Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir 1990-1991-James A. Bogey, Conductor-Christmas Oratorio: Benedictus (Songs Of '91, 1991)
4. Mike Green, Catherine Slonecki, April Inyard, Scott Jasnow And Kelly Kaneblet-Feast Of Lanterns-China (Holiday Songs Around The World, 1994)
5. Guy Cherney-Auld Lang Syne (Everybody Sing, 1956)
6. Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra-Trumpet Solo: Charly Tabor-Auld Lang Syne (The Wonderland Of Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra, 1961)
7. Mel Kaiser, Engineer-New Years Eve-Auld Lang Syne (Documentary Sounds, Volume One, 1962)
8. Mel Kaiser, Engineer-New Years Eve-Times Square (Documentary Sounds, Volume One, 1962)
9. Jenson Publications-Resolutions (Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. IX, 1981)

MEGA (FLAC)

CiJ 2025-Day 30

Only a few days left in the month here, so you'd better start downloading if you've been putting it off. (And if you want even more downloads, pay some attention to those pointer posts I've been making in between the daily new shares. There are lots and lots more songs like these in the archives.)  The highlight of the day is a version of Winter Wonderland as performed by the members of a chorus linked to Peoples Gas. I have no idea what possessed me to pick up this record that was in a generic cardboard sleeve and pull it out, but I did, and I was richly rewarded for my efforts. That sort of thing doesn't happen every day, but it's nice when it does. You just never know what you're going to find.

1. June Albright On The Deagan Carillon At The Stephen Foster Memorial, White Springs, Florida-The Bells Of St. Mary's (Songs Of The American Home, 1960)
2. Phineas Newborn, Jr. With Dennis Farnon And His Orchestra-Moonlight In Vermont (While My Lady Sleeps, 1957)
3. David Mallett-Snowbound (Open Doors & Windows, 1983)
4. Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir 1990-1991-James A. Bogey, Conductor-Christmas Oratorio: Recitatives (Songs Of '91, 1991)
5. Peoples Gas Club Chorus, Director-George Haase, Accompanists-Helen Nettinga & Ferris Healey-Winter Wonderland (Peoples Gas Club Chorus, 1957)
6. Jenson Publications And Purifoy Publishing-Silent Night (Choral Celebration Vol. VI, 1984)
7. Jenson Publications-The First Noel (Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Easy Edition, 1985)
8. Jenson Publications-March Noel (New Music For Concert Band-Volume 27-Easy Edition, 1990)

MEGA (FLAC)

CiJ 2025-Day 29

We're so close to the end here I can smell it! Things are winding down around here, but that doesn't mean the quality is slipping, no sir! The track o' the day is a rousing version of Jingle Bells as sung by a bunch of kids with some quality instrumental support.

1. Mel Kaiser, Engineer-Street Noises At Xmas Time (Documentary Sounds, Volume One, 1962)
2. Ed Kilbourne-Chilly Winds (I Know Where I'm Going, 1965)
3. Buzz Martin-Settin' Chokers In The Snow (A Logger Finds An Opening, 1970)
4. Jean-Pierre Rampal, Maurice André, Saint-Laurent Children's Choir (Alain Çazade & Bertrand Lemaire, Directors) & Instrumental Ensemble (François Rauber, Director)-Jingle Bells (Children's Songs, 1985)
5. Yale Women's Glee Club, Soprano Soloist: Cayce Blanchard (on 'That Younge Child')-Selections From A Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcum Yule!; That Yonge Child; Bululalow; As Dew In Aprille; Deo Gracias (Yale Glee Club 1970, 1970)
6. Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir 1990-1991-James A. Bogey, Conductor-Hodie Christus Natus Est (Songs Of '91, 1991)
7. Jenson Publications And Purifoy Publishing-O Come All Ye Faithful (Choral Celebration Vol. VI, 1984)
8. Jenson Publications-The Little Drummer Boy (Sound Ideas For Concert Band Vol V, 1979)

MEGA (FLAC)

CiJ 2025-Day 28

Welcome to day 28! I added four more tracks to the pile to share today, but I'm still a little scared I'm going to run out before the end of the month. The alleviate that fear, I'm throwing in an extra demo track today and that number may increase in the coming days right through to the end. I had too many of those short snippets and not enough real songs in the pile. But it's still good stuff, I promise. And the featured track of the day is one of the best things I've been itching to share out all month. It's an actual Christmas track that's seemingly been lost to time. If you like free-form jazz from the mid-60's, then this is your jam. If not, well, you're getting it anyway. Enjoy!

1. Max Roach-In The Red (A Xmas Carol) (Drums Unlimited, 1966)
2. David Mallett-Northern Lights (Open Doors & Windows, 1983)
3. Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir 1990-1991-Madrigal Singers-James A. Bogey, Conductor-Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella (Songs Of '91, 1991)
4. The Yale Theater Orchestra-James Sinclair, Conductor-Holiday Quickstep (Old Songs Deranged, 1974)
5. Nashville Youth Symphony, Harry Lantz-Conductor-Song Of Winter (Happy Sounds, 1976)
6. Jenson Publications-What Child Is This (New Music For Concert Band-Volume 27-Easy Edition, 1990)
7. Jenson Publications And Purifoy Publishing-Silent Night (Choral Celebration Vol. VI, 1984)
8. Mel Kaiser, Engineer-Sleigh Bells (Documentary Sounds, Volume One, 1962)

MEGA (FLAC)

CiJ Years Past-Day 27

Day 27, pretty sure I can see the end from here. As usual, these are links to old Christmas in July shares that are still available, all posted on this day in their respective year. Enjoy!

2024

2023

2022 and 2022

2021

2020 and 2020

2019 and 2019

CiJ 2025-Day 27

27 days straight, haven't missed one yet. The secret is to post these things ahead of time. I avoided doing that for years, but as life became more complicated, it was easier to post when I had time and try to get a few days ahead when I could, then coast when I needed to be otherwise occupied. I hope you didn't think I was posting all this stuff live. Anyhow, I've got eight more tracks for you here, more goodies to get you in the Christmas spirit even though it's really hot outside. The highlight track today is a take on My Favorite Things, which I'm sure someone will object to as not a Christmas song. But for my purposes here, it fits right in and I was excited to find something to share on such a cool looking album. This was what some record labels were putting out in an attempt to beat The Beatles in 1964. It's a UK recording, as is at least one other record in the stack tonight. There's also song in there from a record used to perform in a dance studio. A real mixed bag today, enjoy!

 1. The Glasgow Phoenix Choir, Conducted By Peter Mooney-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, 1970)
2. The Laurie Johnson Orchestra-My Favorite Things (Introducing England's New Big Band Sound, 1964)
3. Mixed Madrigal Group-Traditional Carols: Run Friends To Greet Him; Though Now A Babe; Last Night Came A Host Of Angels (Yale Glee Club 1970, 1970)
4. Statler Records-Tale Of The Toy Shop (Dance Of A Lifetime)
5. Reginald Dixon At The Organ Of The Tower Ballroom, Blackpool-Wedding Of The Painted Doll (Mr. Blackpool, 1964)
6. Jamestown High School A Cappella Choir 1990-1991-Men Of Tomorrow-Michael Hagadorn, Soloist-James A. Bogey, Conductor-Go, Tell It On The Mountain (Songs Of '91, 1991)
7. Ithaca College Band-Walter Beeler, Director-Bells Of Winter (Away We Go)
8. Jenson Publications-An Old English Christmas (Sound Ideas For Concert Band Vol V, 1979)

MEGA (FLAC)