Gospel Week-Part 4

Welcome to part four of our salute to gospel music this week. What's up next? Let's see what I can find. OK, how's this? A mail-order LP from the church run by Jerry Falwell at the time featuring a long spoken word piece by him, and carols by various groups associated with the church. An interesting set to say the least. A few years ago, I shared out a long series of albums like this put out by the mega-church preachers of the day. You'll have to search the archives for your favorite preacher to see if I shared out anything back in the day, there's too many to list here. But for now, this is The Living Christmas Tree Featuring The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir (Thomas Road Baptist Church/Jerry Falwell No Number, Stereo).

1. Dr. Jerry Falwell-Christmas Message
2. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Ring The Bells
3. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Robbie Hiner, Soloist-Sweet Little Jesus Boy
4. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Behold That Star
5. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Davis Musselman, Soloist-Silent Night
6. Lynchburg Baptist College Chorale-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Accompaniment: Macel Falwell, Piano; Sue Worley, Organ-Where Has He Gone
7. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Go Tell It On The Mountain
8. Lynchburg Baptist College Chorale-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Nobody Cared
9. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-David Musselman, Soloist-No Greater Love
10. Delores Moon, Judy Chilton, Kathy Walden-The Babe In The Manger
11. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Frances Glass, Soloist-Gesu Bambino
12. The Old-Time Gospel Hour Choir-Directed By Paul DeSaegher-Gloria In Excelsis Deo

MEGA

Day, Not Night

I've mentioned it more than once this season, but I got a lot of records out of Canada over the summer. One of them was a Christmas single from Dennis Day that I've never seen before, and may have never been released here in the US. Dennis had plenty of Christmas music during his peak in the late 50's & early 60's, including a cool budget label LP with Jack Benny, but this Canadian record seems to be well after all that. I also threw in a US non-LP single that I had laying around, just to give you a bit more heft in the download. Enjoy!

1. Christmas In Killarney
2. That's What Christmas Means To Me
3. I'll Be Home For Christmas

MEGA

Wally World-Part 3.5

Not sure if the season needs any more, but here are a small handful of singles from Li'l Wally. Some of them are duplicates from the albums I've shared, but I had already recorded them when I found the albums, so I'm throwing them in here. At least one is from an album of his that I don't have, so if anybody wants to send that one my way, I'd appreciate it. This pretty much empties the Li'l Wally well for the year, so hope you've enjoyed this deep dive.

1. How Lovely Is Christmas
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Merry Christmas Mom And Dad
4. Oh Christmas Tree
5. White Christmas
6. Winter Wonderland

MEGA

Wally World-Part 3

Do you know what this Christmas needs even more of? Polka music! And I've got just the thing for that, perhaps the best one yet! This is Li'l Wally-Dance Around The Christmas Tree With Li'l Wally "The Polka King" (Jay Jay Jay Jay 5012, Stereo).

1. Merry Christmas, Mom And Dad
2. Nuttin' For Christmas
3. How Lovely Is Christmas
4. Frosty, The Snow Man
5. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
6. Oh, Christmas Tree
7. Dance Around The Christmas Tree
8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
9. Sleigh Bell Waltz
10. Jingle Bells Polka
11. Silver Bells
12. Auld Lang Syne

MEGA

December 14th-Back In The Day

The days just keep marching on towards Christmas. Hope you're just about ready for the big day. I don't want to rush you, but it will be here before you know it. In the meantime, here are six more links to some old shares you may have missed.

2021

The singing surgeon.

2020

O tannenbaum.

2019

Christmas in New Orleans.

2018

Christmas from Buffalo.

2017

Christmas from Chrysler.

2016

A Christmas experience.

On The Old Red River

Dunno why so many of these shares are starting to happen after bedtime lately. Well, maybe not after bedtime for you, but I have to get up really early in the morning, so I have to go to bed early. It's a curse, what am I going to do. Too old to change now. Anyhow, got a really good single side here for you tonight. This is Red River Dave with The Night Before Christmas, Caramba! (Decca 7" 45 RPM 9-29680 Sample Copy-Not For Sale, Mono, 1955). Perhaps I should have saved this one for Christmas Eve, but it's too good. Enjoy!

MEGA

Headin' Downtown

I was surprised earlier this year to find a Christmas 78 from Petula Clark, and again surprised to find this 7" record in my own collection that I didn't know about. If you'd asked me if she had ever released any Christmas music, I would have said no, or I don't think so. But now I know, and you know, too! This is Petula Clark-The Peter Knight Orchestra And Chorus-Direction By M. Barclay And A. Freeman-A Christmas Carol (Pye Nixa (UK) 7" 45 RPM NSEP.85001, Stereo, 1958). Good stuff!

1. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
2. List Our Merry Carol
3. Once In Royal David's City
4. Rocking
5. Holly And The Ivy
6. Away In A Manger; Hark The Herald Angels Sing

MEGA

Gospel Week-Part 3

Continuing on with Gospel week, here's a second entry from our buddy Merrill Womach. This one is from later on in his career, and is certainly more polished than the first. Production tends to get a little better with time, and sometimes it gets so good that it erases any personality in the music. But in this case it's still good stuff. I'm sure you'll enjoy Merrill Womach-Images Of Christmas (New Life NL79-4-7, Stereo, 1979).

1. O Holy Night
2. Away In A Manger
3. What Child Is This
4. Do You Hear What I Hear
5. Silent Night
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
8. Little Drummer Boy
9. White Christmas
10. Christmas Medley: Here We Come A Caroling; We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

Doo Bee Doo Bee Doo

I've given you all sorts of records this year, but I don't think there's been any doo-wop. Well, until now, that is. Here are two records that put the wop into your doo! Well, that doesn't sound so good, does it? You know what I mean...

1. Stormy Weather-Christmas Time Is Coming-A Street Carol
2. Subway Serenade (Rich Peritone, Bob Emrick, John Blewitt, Chris Mahoney, Rick Nicolini)-White Christmas
3. Subway Serenade (Rich Peritone, Bob Emrick, John Blewitt, Chris Mahoney, Rick Nicolini)-What Are You Doing New Years Eve

MEGA

Thanks Again

Another big batch of Christmas cards yesterday, thank you all so much! I think Meredith understands the affect this music has on people now. :)

Wally World-Part 2

You know what this holiday season needs even more of? Some polka music! And I've got just the thing for that! This is Li'l Wally-Polish Christmas Carols-Kolędy (Jay Jay S-1017/CSLP 1017, Stereo, 1963).

1. Gdy Sie Shrystus Rodzi
2. Jezus Malusienki
3. Dzisiaj W Betlejem
4. Pojdzmy Wszyscy Do Stajenki
5. Zlobie Lezy
6. Wsrod Nocnej Ciszy
7. Aniol Pasterzom Mowil
8. Medrcy Swiata Monarchowie

MEGA

December 13th-Back In The Day

Lucky number 13! Another dip into ancient history with links to this day at the blog for the past six Christmas seasons, all with active download links for you. Enjoy!

2021

Christmas soundtrack mystery.

2020

A very merry Frank Luther.

2019

Wolfie.

2018

Son of a nutcracker.

2017

Christmas from Montana.

2016

Equity.

Green Julius

A late night post just to keep you on your toes. Julius La Rosa was a well-known member of Arthur Godfrey's troupe of TV players until a very ugly on-air spat soured things. It was all Arthur Godfrey's fault, but La Rosa suffered because of it, never becoming the big star that he might otherwise have been. He never recorded a full Christmas album, though he released quite a bit of Christmas music in his career. If you look around the blog, you'll find plenty of it scattered here and there. I've got a new addition to the cannon for you now, from an obscure single later on in his career. This is Julius La Rosa-A Christmas Gift (GP Records 7" 45 RPM GP 592, Stereo, 1981).

MEGA

Three For The Price Of Two

Here's a little Christmas rarity for you. Not so much in the music, but the fact that they've squeezed three songs onto a single. Now that's something you don't see every day. It's the little things that excite me. This is Milleridge Singers-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Echo Sound Studios 7" 45 RPM ESS 7424, Mono).

1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
3. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

Gospel Week-Part 2

Here's another entry into our series of Gospel records this week. I'm afraid I know absolutely nothing about them, but I kind of liked the album cover when I found it. It's got a nice textured finish, and the gold is an interesting matte metallic, not something you usually see on an album cover. That's how most of my collections comes about. I can't listen to the music in the store, but if I like the cover, it goes in the pile. Actually, to tell the truth, frequently it goes in the pile even if I don't like the cover. That's why I have so much music that I never listen to. But that's neither here nor there. What's here is a new download for you, The King's Keynotes-On Love Alone-Our Christmas Package To You (Celestial Recordings 619 LPS, Stereo). Enjoy!

1. On Love Alone
2. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
3. What Child Is This?
4. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
5. Still, Still, Still
6. O Holy Night
7. Medley: Angels We Have Heard; Joy To The World
8. Medley: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Silent Night, Holy Night
9. Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem
10. Today There Is Ringing
11. Medley: I Heard The Bells; The First Noel; We Three Kings; Away In The Manger

MEGA

Elvis P.

In the bag today are a couple of tributes to the great Elvis Presley. There was a small cottage industry in Elvis tribute records back in the day. Some came out before he passed away, but the floodgates really opened up after his untimely death in 1977. These two are just some that I happened to have in the collection, so I lumped them together and am sharing them with you today. There are also a couple (1, 2) in the blog archives that you might be interested in if you're new to the blog. Have a listen, and let me know what you think.

1. Bob Luman-A Christmas Tribute-Stereo
2. Bob Luman-A Christmas Tribute-Mono
3. Chris Marshon-Bluest Christmas Ever

MEGA

Wally World-Part 1

You know what this Christmas season needs? Some polka music! And I've got just the thing for that. This is Li'l Wally And The Harmony Boys-A Polka Christmas With Li'l Wally (Jay Jay LP-1080, Mono, 1964).

1. A Polka Christmas
2. W Noc Boźego Narodziena (The Night Of Christmas)
3. Santa Is On His Way
4. Choinka (Christmas Tree)
5. Źebym Mi Santa Claus Dał
6. Snow Ball Polka
7. Saint Nick Is Coming
8. Smutno Na Święta (Sad Holiday)
9. Dancing Santa Claus
10. Drogi Tatusio (Dear Daddy)
11. Polka Holiday
12. Christmas Oberek

MEGA

December 12th-Back In The Day

I hope you folks are enjoying these memory posts. They're great for me too, because I get to go back and look through some of my own history. I occasionally find stuff that I only have a dim, fuzzy memory of sharing, or it reminds me of something else that I wanted to share out. I love to run an artist's discography of Christmas music, or complete a set of something. There's lots and lots of history here at the blog, and it's hard to keep track of everything sometimes.

2021

Christmas drops.

2020

Santa Claus songs.

2019

Christmas with Bob.

2018

Christmas in Cincinnati.

2017

Elvis, Jr.

2016

Smash hits.

Kinfolk

What's in the sack tonight? I don't know, it's a surprise! No, wait, it's The Next Of Kin with Merry Christmas (Decca 7" 45 RPM 732605 Promotion Copy-Not For Sale, Mono, 1969). Good stuff, even if it's only a single track.

MEGA

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days

I told you I recorded a lot of singles for sharing this year! Are you tired of them yet? I hope not, because I don't think I'm quite halfway through them. Not sure if I'll be able to share out everything though, but I'm gonna do my best. Gotta stop and enjoy the holidays at some point, but I'm keeping up for now. The share of the moment is Bobby G. Rice with Holidays Are Happy Days b/w My Christmas Wish For You (Metromedia Country 7" 45 RPM BMBO-0168, Stereo, 1973).

MEGA

Gospel Week-Part 1

I've got a whole series of records here that I want to share and I'm going to group them together under the loose heading of Gospel. Some of them are probably going to be more gospel than others, but it's close enough. I'll start with a record from semi-well known undertaker and plane crash survivor Merrill Womach. I've been meaning to run his discography for a few years now, and this was the first chance I've had to get my act together and actually record it all. This is his first Christmas record, and I think his second after the plane crash that nearly took his life. If you're not familiar with his story, you can read up on it here. It's surprisingly good stuff, unlike many such records that you see in the thrifts. Download it and give a listen to Merrill Womach Sings Christmas Carols (Melodies Divine LP 6801 (AKA New Life LP6801), Stereo, 1968).

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful
2. Silent Night
3. Joy To The World
4. The First Noel
5. I Wonder As I Wander
6. O Holy Night
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
8. Away In A Manger
9. What Child Is This
10. The Birthday Of A King
11. Star Carol
12. Gesu Bambino
13. O Little Town Of Bethlehem

MEGA

Mail Early

I found these next three records in my collection with no memory of having bought them. They probably came to me together, but I found them each in a different box, and only got them back together after some research and some ripping. It looks like someone named Sammy Watkins wrote a song and he really wanted to make it a big hit. So he kept trying and trying and trying, but I don't think it ever worked. All in all, there are five different versions of his song here, from three different records. One of them even came with a little note detailing how a French translation came about. When I first came across these records this season, I thought it was a promotional thing for the post office, but it's not. This is a real song. It's a bit of a head scratcher for me, so I'm hoping someone comes along with some more info about this interesting collection of records. Download 'em and have a listen.

1. Jon Watkins-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now)
2. Santa's Singers-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now)
3. Sammy Watkins (?)-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now) (French Version)
4. Sammy Watkins And The Mail Chorus-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now)
5. Sammy Watkins-It's One Day Closer To Christmas (Please Do Your Mailing Now)

MEGA

Not First, Not Second

Why would you name your bank Third National? That just seems like an odd choice. I guess there are good reasons for it, but it really doesn't seem like much of a selling point, especially in this day and age when the reasons for the name are long past. But that's neither here nor there, because this record is what it is, and what it is is a selection of fine Christmas music from the folks associated with The Third National Bank in Nashville, Tennessee. Plenty of good stuff here, so download it and give a listen to The Third National Christmas Choir- Third National Presents "Christmas Is" (Third National Bank, Nashville, Tennessee NR3840, Stereo, 1972).

1. Christmas Is
2. Jingle Bells
3. Joy To The World
4. Carol Of The Bells
5. Do You Hear What I Hear
6. Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
7. Sleigh Ride
8. The Man Who Owned The Stable
9. Silent Night

MEGA

December 11th-Back In The Day

Welcome to another post that means to highlight some of the extensive backlog here at the blog. I feel like some of these posts are repeating themselves since I may be linking to the same thing again and again. I try not to do that, but sometimes it's inevitable. I hope you're not too put off by that, I try to avoid it when I can. I think I've linked at least once to something I intend to remaster this season, but I don't know if I'll be able to get to it. My point is, I share way too much around here, and I can't keep track of it. :)

2021

Merry Christmas from Monsanto.

2020

Instrumental Christmas from 78s, again.

2019

Christmas in St. Louis.

2018

Jack Jones & Edward G. Robinson.

2017

A secret appearance by Perry Como.

2016

A rare early blog appearance of Christmas from 78s.

Sunday Morning Coming Down

You've all been such good sports, playing along with my downloads all day Saturday, so here's an early morning bonus track. Nothing very special, appears to have been pulled from a non-Christmas album of his, but he's a country icon. This is Tom T. Hall-Let's Spend Christmas At My House (Mercury 7" 45 RPM 872-180-7 DJ Promotional Copy Not For Sale (Same on both sides), Stereo, 1988).

MEGA