Sunday, December 07, 2008

27 Days Of Christmas-Day The Sixth


As soon as I heard this track while recording the LP you see above, I knew it was destined for whatever compilation I put together this year. I'd had the mono LP forever, but never listened all the way through very closely. And I was vaguely aware that it had been out on CD, so I was in no hurry to do anything with it, but the more I looked at it, the more I knew I needed to record it. When I finally dug up a stereo copy, I finally put it in the 'to be recorded' pile, and boy, am I glad I did. Keely Smith is a good singer, but she's not really one of my favorites. Pair her up with swinger Louis Prima, however, and she turns into something else entirely. I knew this LP was recorded as a solo LP after their heyday at Capitol, and there was no mention of Louis anywhere on it, so I didn't expect the little surprise that showed up in the middle of Rudolph. Yep, that's right, the old red-nosed reindeer himself, Louis Prima, shows up in a cameo performance as Santa Claus. Nothing fancy, nothing jaw-droppingly cool, but it really makes the song, in my opinion. Please download this, the sixth installment in 27 Days of Christmas, Keely Smith With Louis Prima, Orchestra Conducted By George Greeley-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, originally from A Keely Christmas (Dot DLP 25345, Stereo, 1963).

Previous Tracks:
The De Paur Chorus-Christmas In The Tropics
Vincent Lopez-Here Comes The Fattest Man In Town
The 4 Seasons-Jungle Bells
Jimmy McGriff-Hip Santa
Lorne Greene-Christmas Is A-Comin' (May God Bless You)

3 comments:

  1. I recently bought a copy of the CD at a used record store here in Royal Oak, MI. It's been on e-bay for ridiculous amounts. So when I found it in their Christmas section (I bought it this past summer), I tried VERY hard not to scream when I saw it's $7 price tag! Great job on he tunes so far as usaul. Keep up the great work. Also, do you have any more Christmas type pix to post?

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  2. If this CD were in print and available I would surely buy a copy but I cannot afford what folks are charging for it. I hope you will concider sharing the whole album due to its rarity!

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