Happy Birthday

Here's one for all the folks who's birthday falls near Christmas. I'm afraid I don't feel your pain because my birthday falls exactly halfway between one Christmas and the next, but maybe having your own record will make you feel better. This is Em Benedict-Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas-A Christmas Cantata For Junior Choir (Manna Records MS-2029, Stereo, 1976). The B-side is instrumental versions so you can perform the vocals yourself. Enjoy!

1. There Never Was A Christmas Day
2. Narration
3. Jesus Is Born
4. Narration
5. Shepherd Boy
6. Narration
7. And This Shall Be A Sign
8. Narration
9. Christmas Bells
10. Narration
11. The Miracle
12. Narration
13. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
14. Narration
15. You Ask Me Why
16. Narration
17. Happy Birthday Merry Christmas
18. There Never Was A Christmas Day [Instrumental]
19. Jesus Is Born [Instrumental]
20. Shepherd Boy [Instrumental]
21. And This Shall Be A Sign [Instrumental]
22. Christmas Bells [Instrumental]
23. The Miracle [Instrumental]
24. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S [Instrumental]
25. You Ask Me Why [Instrumental]
26. Happy Birthday Merry Christmas [Instrumental]

MEGA

Handbells, Finally

You probably thought I wouldn't get you any music with handbells this season, and I can see why you'd think that, but you'd be wrong. Here is the long awaited album featuring everyone's favorite bells rung by hand. This is The Holiday Handbell Choir Featuring The Golden Harp Strings-Christmas Bells (Classic Christmas CCR 1940, Stereo, 1979). It may be a budget label, but it's still good. Enjoy!

1. The Bells Of St. Mary
2. Away In A Manger
3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
4. Silent Night
5. Deck The Halls
6. What Child Is This
7. O Holy Night
8. Gesu, Bambino
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
10. Ave Maria
11. Go Tell It On The Mountain

MEGA

Sax Attacks

I don't think I've shared a sax-centric Christmas LP with you this year, or ever for that matter. I'm probably missing something because I've shared a lot of music around these parts over the past twenty years. But if I haven't, I'm certainly sharing one now. I didn't know who Mike Shannon was, but I was clued in by the fact that this record mentioned Christy Lane on the spine. I'm guessing that was a printing error but it turned out that Mike was the sax man for Lane for many years. It's a good LP an I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  Certainly not loud or raunchy, but very much in the same vein as Lane's music. This is Mike Shannon-Christmas Classics With The Golden Sax (LS Records LS-1990, Stereo, 1987).

1. Jingle Bells
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. The First Noel
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5. It's My Favorite Time Of The Year
6. Away In The Manger
7. Up On The House Top
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Jolly Old St. Nick
10. Joy To The World
11. Oh Christmas Tree
12. This Is Christmas (Tell The Story)

MEGA

The Mick Three (& Boggs)

I didn't realize I had a third Paul Mickelson until I got to looking around and realized he backed up Frank Boggs on this stereo remaster I had ready to go for you. I first shared out a mono copy of this record back in 2023 (so not that long ago...), but I recently found this stereo version in the archives and wanted to upgrade the share. And the fact that Paul Mickelson conducts the orchestra here makes this a double whammy. Please be my guest and download Frank Boggs With The Concert Orchestra Of London Conducted By Paul Mickelson-Love Came Down At Christmas (Word WST-8080-LP, Stereo, 1961). More Frank Boggs here if you're interested.

1. A King Is Born: O Come, All Ye Faithful; The First Noel; We Three Kings
2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
3. Once In Royal David's City
4. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
5. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head
6. The Birthday Of A King
7. Love Came Down At Christmas
8. O Holy Night
9. What Child Is This
10. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
11. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
12. Medley Of Carols: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Silent Night; Joy To The World

MEGA

The Mick Two

Here's another good one from Paul Mickelson, and it's very different from the last one. This time he's leading an orchestra and a choir. Perhaps that will be of more interest to you than the solo organ on the last one. Give it a listen and see what you think. This is The Paul Mickelson Choir & Orchestra-The Best Of Christmas (Supreme Productions SLP-403, Mono).

1. Festival Of Carols: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; The First Noel; Carols Of The Bells; It Came Upon The Midnight Clear; Joy To The World
2. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. We Three Kings
4. Christmas Candle
5. Gloria In Excelsis Deo
6. O Holy Night
7. Fantasy Of The Sleigh Bells: Jingle Bells; Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer; Sleigh Ride
8. Away In The Manger
9. Deck The Halls
10. White Christmas
11. Silent Night
12. O Come All Ye Faithful

MEGA

The Mick One

You may be familiar with Paul Mickelson as a arranger and conductor on many, many religious records from the late fifties into the seventies (at least). I think he was second only to Ralph Carmichael in the number of albums that bear his name in one capacity or another. I'm pretty sure I've even shared Christmas album by him before here at the blog. But today I've got two new ones that he put out with very different performances. This first record features Paul at the organ, an instrument he frequently played. It's not the most exciting organ record in the world, but it's still a good one. Have a go at Paul Mickelson-Paul Mickelson In A Christmas Concert At The Console (Console Records/Supreme CM-5005, Mono). Keep it right here on this channel for more!

1. Joy To The World
2. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
5. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
6. O Holy Night (Cantique De Noel)
7. The First Noel
8. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree)
9. Away In A Manger
10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. Silent Night
12. O Come All Ye Faithful

MEGA

Christmas With The Lundstroms, Part 4

Time for the fourth and final Lundstrom share of the day, and of the season. There are no more after this one, only a link or two to some additional Lundstrom you can find in the archives. And I think I've save the best for last. In this one, Lowell takes out all the stops and quits being serious because he knows it's for the kiddies. He sings about how Santa wouldn't have a job without Jesus, a grumpy goat and something about doodely. It's weirdness on parade I promise you. This is Lowell Lundstrom-Christmas Is For Kids (Fresh Rain FR-8703, Stereo, 1987). Now that all the new stuff is out of the way, lets see what old stuff I can find the in archives for you. I shared a seven inch record here and a full-length LP here. Oh, another one here that's a 'Special Edition'. Discogs says there is actually a standard edition version of this one, but I've never seen it. Speaking of Lundstrom Christmas music I don't have, I think there's a best-of I need to find. Other than that, this is it. Oh, wait, what's this? Don't have that either.

1. Christmas Is For Kids
2. Mary Had A Little Lamb
3. Christmas Season
4. Away In A Manger
5. Kick That Old Grumpy Goat Away
6. Who Is This Holy One
7. Santa Wouldn't Have A Job Without Jesus
8. The Very Best Gift (I Love You)
9. The "Doodely" Song
10. I'm A Candle
11. The Fulfillment
12. Merry Christmas

MEGA

Christmas With The Lundstroms, Part 3

Time for a new Lowell Lundstrom share, a record that was gifted to me by one of my fans. It's not an everyday occurence, but I do get a the occasional donation of something interesting. And this fan knew I loved the Lowell Lundstrom records. This time he surrounds himself with a group of singers other than his family, and it's pretty polished stuff. This is what Christian music sounded like in the Eighties. That's a lot of pastel! For your listening pleasure, this is Lowell Lundstrom & The Lundstrom Singers-Heavenly Holiday (Fresh Rain FR-8503, Stereo, 1985). One more to go, and maybe links to the Lundstrom records I'm not resharing today. Stay tuned!

1. Heavenly Holiday
2. I'm Glad It's Christmas
3. Christmas Has Come Again
4. We Celebrate His Love
5. His Greatest Gift Is Love
6. What Is Christmas
7. Christmas Medley: Come Thou Expected Jesus, Some Children See Him, Angels From The Realms Of Glory
8. Allelujah Immanuel
9. There's A Whole Lot More To Christmas
10. This Holy Day

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Christmas With The Lundstroms, Part 2

Up next is another remaster from Lowell Lundstrom and family, also of a record I first shared back in 2010. I seem to remember 2010 was a really good year at the blog. Some years just come together better than others, I can't explain it. This year is shaping up pretty well, I think, but we've still got a way to go. Please have a go at The Lundstroms-Colorado Christmas (Tempo Of Kansas City R-7230 (Also released on Message Records with same catalog number), Stereo, 1979), and don't forget to come back for more soon. Oh, looks like I had two different labels for this one. The sleeves were identical so I didn't scan both of them (though I thought about it for a while). I guess a new label started pressing up the vinyl and they wanted to use up a stock of the old sleeves. Not really sure who was buying these, but I guess someone was interested.

1. Jesus Christ Is Born
2. Colorado Christmas
3. Beauty Of The Snow
4. I Can Hardly Wait Till Christmas
5. Now I'm Not Lonely At Christmas
6. Why Isn't Everybody Singing Allelu
7. Sing Along Christmas
8. Christmas Medley
9. Christy's Christmas Prayer
10. I Needed A Saviour To Care
11. Our Love Is Like The Mountains

MEGA

Christmas With The Lundstroms, Part 1

For many years now, I've been sharing out Christmas albums by a preacher named Lowell Lundstrom and his family. Who knew that a preacher from Colorado (I think) would have released so many Christmas records. At this point I thought surely I've got them all, but I was proven wrong. A Christmas friend of mine sent me a record by Lowell that I didn't have yet earlier this year, maybe it was two new ones, I'm not even sure anymore. I know she sent me the one but I have two new ones and I can't remember for sure where the second one came from. Anyhow, I've got the two new ones and a couple of remasters of old shares by The Lundstroms to share with you today, so hang on tight, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Here's the first one, a remaster that I first shared back in 2010 with you. Who knew what a long trip it was going to be with these guys. Please help yourself to a new remaster of The Lundstroms-Christmas With The Lundstroms (Tempo Of Kansas City R-7198, Stereo, 1978).

1. The Messiah Has Come
2. I Know Now
3. Didn't He Shine
4. Christmas Medley
5. O Holy Night
6. Country Christmas
7. Daddy Will Be Home For Christmas
8. Mr. Snowman
9. Little Stranger In A Manger
10. It's Christmas

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How Much Wood

Time and again this season I've told you about serendipitous finds and discoveries that I couldn't possibly have planned. Well, here's another minor one. I had this woodchuck record all recorded and ready to share via a mono copy (the same mono copy I recorded and shared back in 2005, actually), then I happened across a really clean stereo copy at Goodwill. So I brought it home and recorded it real quick for sharing here. For twenty years now I've had the one copy of this LP, and then right when I really wanted a stereo copy, there is was. I wish every record hunt could be that easy. That doesn't make the music here any better, I'm afraid, but at least you can listen to it with both ears. Unless you would prefer to listen with just one ear. Tell you what, I'll share out both down below, then you can grab which ever terrible version you want. I don't think it's going to matter too much. This is Woody The Woodchuck-Christmas Sing Song (AKA Christmas With Woody The Woodchuck) (Premier XS-6 (AKA XMS 6), Stereo, 1960). Don't expect much here, but if you had this as a good, I'm sure you'll want to listen again. I hope it's just as good as you remember it.

1. Jingle Bells
2. Chipmunk Song
3. Good King Wenceslas
4. On A Sleigh Ride With You
5. Deck The Halls
6. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
7. Twelve Days Of Christmas
8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
9. O Tannenbaum
10. Frosty The Snowman

MEGA (Stereo)

MEGA (Mono)

Not Buddy Holly

Before I get too far into this post, I'd like to emphasize that this recording has nothing to do with Buddy Holly's Crickets. Those guys knew how to rock and roll, but these crickets barely know how to sing. It's certainly not the best album I've shared with you this Christmas season. It's a cheap cash-in on both The Chipmunks and those other Crickets, as well as every other animal-named group from The Beatles to, well, The Animals. This is a remaster, I believe, from way back in 2005, my first year of blogging. I didn't have very much good stuff to say about it then, and I still don't. But the cover had my aunt's name written on it in her own hand from the mid-sixties, so I think it's cool just for that. It also fits in well with today's animal theme, so there you go. This is The Happy Crickets-Christmas With The Happy Crickets (Grand Prix KS-X9, Stereo). Couple different covers for this one, too. Budget labels like to trick you into buying the same music again and again.

1. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. White Christmas
3. Jingle Bells
4. Christmas Is For The Family
5. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
6. The Chipmunk Song
7. Away In A Manger
8. The First Noel
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
11. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
12. Silent Night

MEGA

What's that? You're still here? You want more bad cricket music? How about another version of the same record, but this time credited to The Three Crickets? Best I can do. Enjoy!

MEGA

Well, OK, it just says The Happy Crickets on the sleeve, but trust me, it says The Three Crickets on the label. Here, I'll drop it in here. See?

Rocky Not Bullwinkle

This is yet another one of those records that have been in the collection for years and years, but I've never paid much attention to it. Do you need yet another record with small furry animals singing Christmas tunes? No, probably not. But will it hurt you to download? No, probably not. It's certainly not the worst of it's kind, you may even find it entertaining for a listen or two. This is Shirley & Squirrely-Christmas With Shirley & Squirrely And Melvin Too! (Lakeshore Music LSM 631, Stereo, 1980).

1. A Squirrely Christmas  
2. Deck The Halls  
3. The Christmas Haunted House  
4. The Christmas Song  
5. Winter Wonderland  
6. The Twelve Days Of Christmas  
7. Let It Snow  
8. Medley: Jingle Bells; Jolly Old St. Nicholas  
9. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas  
10. Medley: Here Comes Santa Claus; We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

Part One, Finally

I keep talking about trying to complete the set on some of these records. Here's one where I shared volume two a while back and am just now able to complete the set with volume one. Ever since David Seville took his tape recorder speed manipulation techniques that he learned with Witch Doctor and applied them to some small furry rodents to make a hit record, everyone and their brother has tried to copy him, with absolutely no success. This record is no different, even though it seems to have been popular enough to generate a second volume. I suspect that had more to do with trying to make a fast buck out of unsuspecting consumers than with genuine demand. For the masochist in you, this is The Happy Chipmunks-Merry Christmas From The Happy Chipmunks (Holiday/Audio Fidelity HDY-1950, Stereo, 1982).

1. The Twelve Days Of Christmas  
2. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas  
3. Sleigh Ride  
4. Little Drummer Boy  
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus  
6. Silver Bells  
7. Winter Wonderland  
8. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree  
9. Up On A House Top  
10. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

MEGA

RIP Pauline

Almost the end of the first day of 2026, hopefully you've sobered up a bit after overdoing it last night. Time to get your church on with this fine collection of Christmas favorites from Pauline Smith. No, really, that's the title. It's Pauline Smith-Christmas Favorites (Acorn Sound Recorders ASR-1001, Stereo). I don't know what attracted me to this record, but there it was one day, minding it's own business in the collection, just waiting to be noticed. So I pulled it down, ripped it, scanned it, then realized there was something else in the sleeve. It was a program from Ms. Smith's memorial service. I guess this record once belonged to a friend of hers, and they had kept the paperwork in the album all these years. You just never know. There's a scan in the download if you want to read a little more about her.

1. What Child Is This
2. No Room
3. Gesú Bambino
4. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
5. Born A King
6. Silent Night
7. Medley: Joy To The World; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; 'Twas The Birthday Of A King
8. Ring The Bells
9. The First Noel
10. O Holy Night
11. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
12. Christ Is Born!

MEGA

Navidad Con Amigos

From the cold Scandinavian climate we hop down to the tropical isle of Puerto Rico for a record that's mostly one artist, but still has a handful of others on it. The cover kind of makes it look like it's a full Christmas album by someone named Raphael, but if you look close you can see the "And His Friends" in Spanish there as well. I don't really know who any of these artists are, so if you're familiar with them, please let us know if there's anybody on here we should know about. This is Navidad Con Raphael y Sus Amigos (Hispa-Vox/Rico-Vox (Puerto Rico) RVLP-532, Mono).

1. Raphael-El Niño Del Tambor (Carol Of The Drums)
2. Raphael-Campanas De Plata
3. Raphael-Noche De Paz, Noche De Fé (Silent Night)
4. Raphael-Navidades Blancas (White Christmas)
5. Alberto Cortez-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Frank Ferrar-Navidad Negra
6. Monna Bell-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Miguel Ramos-Y Los Angeles Cantaron (Mary's Boy Child)
7. Monna Bell-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Miguel Ramos-Ya Llego La Navidad
8. Monna Bell-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Miguel Ramos-Jerusalém
9. Monna Bell-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Miguel Ramos-Santa Claus (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)
10. Cacho Valdez-Arreglos Y Direccion De Qrquesta Raul Fretes-Cumbia De Navidad

MEGA

God Jul

From Norway we hop right over to Sweden with another LP of excellent Christmas tunes. Once again, it's an easy listen because it sounds like Christmas. And all one artist this time, so it flows a bit better than a various artists collection. This is Markus Osterdahls Kor Und Orchester-God Jul-A Merry Swedish Christmas (Peters International PLD 2024, Stereo, 1973). Enjoy! I think this was a domestic US issue of music that was originally recorded and distributed in Sweden, but that's just me making an assumption. Hard to tell with these things sometimes.

1. Sancta Lucia
2. Det Star Ett Ljus I Osterland
3. Ett Barn Ar Fott
4. Stilla Natt
5. Var Halsad Skona Morgonstund
6. Nar Juldagsmorgon Glimmar
7. Nu Ar Det Juligen
8. Hej Tomtegubbar
9. Vi Ska Stalla Till En Roliger Dans
10. Vi Aro Musikanter
11. Jungfrun Hon Gar I Dansen
12. Potpurri

MEGA

From The Land Of The Ice And Snow

Here's another special New Year's share for those of you who've made it this far into the season. From the frigid lands up near the North Pole, this is Glaedelig Jul-Og Godt Nytar (Polydor (Denmark) SLUPM 7024, Stereo, 1968). Not entirely sure if this is a collection of singles or tracks that were collected up, or a project created as a whole. Probably doesn't matter, but sometimes you just like to know the back story. I love collections of music like this from other countries, it really lets you get a sense of what Christmas must be like there. And plenty of content here that feels like Christmas, so it's an easy listen, even though I don't speak the language.

1. Frans Andersson-Glade Jul, Dejlige Jul
2. Katy Bødtger-Julen Har Bragt Velsignet Bud
3. Frans Andersson-Det Kimer Nu Til Julefest
4. Katy Bødtger-Et Barn Er Født I Betlehem
5. Ib Hansen, Københavns Kammerkor-Panis Angelicus
6. Katy Bødtger-Der Er Noget I Luften
7. Frans Andersson, Københavns Kammerkor, Ved Orglet: Arne Bertelsen-Agnus Dei
8. Katy Bødtger, Pigekor Og Orkester, Dir.: Ove Peters-Højt Fra Træets Grønne Top
9. Katy Bødtger, Pigekor Og Orkester, Dir.: Ove Peters-Sikken Voldsom Trængsel Og Alarm
10. Katy Bødtger, Pigekor Og Orkester, Dir.: Ole Mortensen-Skal Vi Klippe Vore Julehjerter Sammen
11. Katy Bødtger, Pigekor Og Orkester, Dir.: Ole Mortensen-Juletræet Med Sin Pynt
12. Victor Cornelius Med Akkompagnement Violin: Elo Magnussen-Du Kære Gamle Julemand
13. Katy Bødtger Med Akkompagnement-Tak For Alt I Det Gamle År
14. Unknown Artist-Rådhusklokkerne
15. Ulrik Cold-Ved Flyglet: Svend Lynge Nielsen-Vær Velkommen Herrens År
16. Studentersangerne-Dir.: John Frandsen-Kong Kristian Stod Ved Højen Mast
17. Studentersangerne-Dir.: John Frandsen-Der Er Et Yndigt Land

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Handel Two

If that last electronic version of The Messiah wasn't enough for you, how about a slightly psychedelic version? This actually came out on Columbia Masterworks, right alongside all sorts of classical music and operas. It was a different time, and I guess they were trying. This is Revelation Philharmonic Orchestra And The One Experience Choir-The New Messiah (Columbia KC/AL 31713, Stereo, 1972). Beautiful gatefold sleeve with this one, too. You can see it in the download. I keep looking at that cover and wonder if there's any sort of hidden subliminal imagery that I haven't spotted yet. It's just too insane to not be hiding something.

1. Overture
2. Unto Us A Child Is Born
3. Glory To God
4. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
5. And The Glory Of The Lord
6. Hallelujah
7. All We, Like Sheep
8. Surely He Hath Borne
9. He Trusted In Him
10. The Trumpet Shall Sound
11. Since By Man Came Death
12. Hallelujah (Reprise)

MEGA

Handel One

What better way to ring in the New Year than with an all-synthesizer version of The Messiah? I'm pretty sure I've shared an electronic version of an occasional track from this piece before, most frequently The Hallelujah Chorus, but this time they tackle the whole thing and not only are the synthesizers going guns-out, you've got some vocalists who are singing right along with 'em. It's good stuff I tell you. This will drive your hangover into overdrive, I'm sure. Have a loud listen to The Elmer Iseler Singers And The "Synthescope" Digital Synthesizer Ensemble-The Electronic Messiah (Moss Music Group (Canada) D-DMG-113, Stereo, 1982). From Canada, eh!

1. Sinfonia (Overture)
2. And The Glory Of The Lord
3. For Unto Us A Child Is Born
4. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
5. Glory To God
6. Behold The Lamb Of God
7. Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs; And With His Stripes; All We Like Sheep
8. Hallelujah
9. Worthy Is The Lamb; Blessing And Honour; Amen

MEGA