Christmas In July 2026-Part 20
1. The Polka Kings-Peppermint Polka (A Beautiful Morning With The Polka Kings)
Don't think I've shared this fine polka with you before, though there has been plenty of candy-flavored music shared around these parts in the past. This one sits proudly alongside all those others that came before it.
2. United States Coast Guard Band-LCDR William Broadwell, Director-March Of The Toys (Heritage Of The March, Volume 20, Herbert-Berg)
I found this record in a pile of others from the same series at a Goodwill earlier this year. I knew somewhere in that strange series of march records had to be a Christmas-related track. And sure enough, I found one by Victor Herbert, of course.
3. Werner Müller And His Orchestra-Sleigh Ride (Werner Müller Plays Leroy Anderson, 1964)
The better track from this Phase 4 treasure. I shared a less-Christmassy track with you earlier, but this is the one you really wanted. It's a rerun from the past, but I thought it worth sharing again.
4. The Concordia College Choir-Victor Hildner, Director-Carol Of The Drum (The Concordia College Choir, 1956)
Another track from these guys, but something with a bit of special interest. This is a version of a song later popularized by Harry Simeone as The Little Drummer Boy, for which he claimed a composing credit. Notice that most of the song existed as arranged by Katherine Davis well before Simeone got his hands on it. An arranger credit would be fine, but he didn't compose anything.
5. The Banjo Barons-Arranged And Conducted By Marty Manning-For You A Lei; An Old Hawaiian Custom; The Hawaiian Christmas Song (Golden Hawaiian Hits, 1963)
A rerun, but a good 'un. Hawaiian songs as played on the banjo. And a Christmas song at that. The early sixties were an odd time.
6. Hope Publishing Company, Somerset Press, Agape-Come Christmas Morning (The Very Best Sacred Choral Music, 1979)
More music to sell arrangements by. I'm getting close to the end of the pile of these things, I hope you're happy.
7. The Choir Of Leeds Parish Church-Directed By Simon Lindley-Michael Harris, Organ-De Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (Favourite Hymns And Christmas Carols, 1984)
Another track from these folks trying to raise money to rehab their church. It's still there today, over forty years later, so they must have been successful in their quest.
8. St. Cecilia's Men's Choir, Conducted By C. Irving Guyer-Ave Maria (Glory To God In The Highest, 1965)
Another track from this record I previously shared. Remember, it's the one with the stock cover that was used on another record I shared something from. You don't remember? Oh well, I thought it was slightly memorable but I guess not.
9. Steve Allen-Piano Solos With Rhythm Accompaniment-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus? (Allen Plays Allen, 1956)
My favorite track of the day, and one of the favorite of the season (it will show up on the best-of collection for this year I promise!). This is an piano instrumental version of a song Steve Allen composed and recorded with Ricky Vera back in 1953. It's not too Christmassy in this version, but if you're familiar with the original recording, it's fun to sing along with.
10. Stuttgart Festival Band-William Harrison, Conductor-Joy To The World (Have Band Will Travel-Music Minus One Trombone)
Another track that you can play your trombone along with. Enjoy! And that's it for the day, an excellent crop of music. Have a go and let me know what you think down in the comments.
Hi Ernie, I was just checking my "best of christmas in july" downloads and their redo's. Did you make up one for the year 2025? If so, I cannot find it in your archives. If not, no problem. We are just lucky that you have for the most part, given us these best of's from previous years.
ReplyDeleteThey tend to come out the following year, so there's isn't a best-of for 2025 just yet. But stay tuned. ;)
DeleteHave you ever done a "worst of" collection? Might be interesting.
ReplyDeleteHaHa, I am sure there are plenty of candidates for an extra long playlist with these tracks.
DeleteThat's an interesting idea, but I tend to forget all about the bad ones after a short while.
DeleteI am currently in the mood for Jump, Jive, and Swing. I just downloaded from another blog a 6 CD - 120 track collection. I was hoping there would be a Christmas equivalent collection. Are there any albums that might be in this genre out there?
ReplyDeleteI just remember my father had a Zoot Suit, that was his fathers, that I inherited and wore to my sweet 16 school party. Alas, my parents never got to see me in it, let alone dance in it.
There's not a whole lot of Christmas music that fits snugly into that category. I can think of a couple of newer titles, but nothing I can share out here at the blog. :(
DeleteI actually had that Banjo Barons album for a while in my collection, and actually brought it to your attention a few years back. Will most definitely be on the lookout for that Steve Allen album. I probably should have known that he penned at least one Christmas song out of the thousands he wrote that either he or other people (like Nat Cole, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, or his "discoveries" Carole Simpson and Bob De Nirii) have recorded. Will be on the lookout for that one.
ReplyDeleteToday's unique Christmas album find for me was Christmas at the Winchester Cathedral from Hallmark (UK Pickwick) Records circa 1971. I didn't think there was an actual building! Not sure if you shared it here. Found it amongst mostly common stuff like Bing Crosby, Lorne Greene, and some volumes of the Great Songs of Christmas. It was 50% off, so I got it really cheap.
ReplyDelete