I love to pick up these privately pressed Christmas records, especially when they have a unique cover. Too often, groups will choose to go with a stock cover offered by the company pressing the record. That's fine if you need to save a little money, but it's really a missed opportunity to differentiate yourself a little bit from the crowd, and maybe offer a talented member of your group to make a contribution beyond just singing. I'm sure that was the reason I picked up this record in the first place and the reason I grabbed it this year to record. Let's see, do we know anything about this record? The flipside is completely blank so I guess that was their one cost-cutting measure here. Montebello doesn't seem all that common, so let's see if Google can tell us anything. Well, based on the address of the record label being in Burbank, California, this is from the Montebello School District, located just outside of LA. There are other Montebello's out there, so I could be wrong, but this seems the most likely choice. I also found a reference to a Kenneth L. Cook in a yearbook from Montebello High School, so I think this is our school. That yearbook was from 1958, though I don't think this recording is quite that old, but maybe. Anybody else find anything different? This is
The A Cappella Choir Of Montebello-
Christmas Concert (Location Recording Service LRS 2471, Mono).
1. Carol Of The Drum
2. Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
3. Mary's Little Boy Chile
4. While Stars Their Vigil Keep
5. Glory To God In The Highest
6. Awake, Ye Shepherds
7. O Jesu So Sweet
8. Away In A Manger
9. The Shepherds' Story
10. The Christmas Symbol
11. Come To The Manger
12. Fanfare For Christmas Day
13. Sweet Holy Child
14. Today There Is Ringing
15. Christmas Is Just For Children
MEGA
You got it. Montebello High School in Los Angeles. Here's a May 1955 LA Times mentioning of Cook and the Chorale.
ReplyDeletehttps://imgur.com/a/pcH24n8
Excellent find! Thanks! I wonder how long Cook was at this school? This record doesn't look to me to be nearly that old.
DeleteYes, I found a mentioning of Cook still being at Montbello HS in 1976.
DeleteWow, almost 20 years!
DeleteNice job of research from both you folks!
ReplyDeleteI was feeling froggy when I posted this, so I actually did a little research. :)
DeleteIf they ever had done Halloween music that cover would work too. First thing I thought of.
ReplyDeleteYou think it's spooky? I'm not sure I see that...
DeleteHi Ernie,
ReplyDeleteWhile I have heard of Montebello, it is a city some ways from where I grew up. It was a city, not in my radar, to want to venture to.
That being said, I would rate this album a strong 9 or a weak 10.
I had never heard of it, so you've got that much on me. Glad you liked it.
DeleteMy first thought, was, "Wow, this Album is Grand" like some Pop artist/group album :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to give it a listen :)
Enjoy!
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