Christmas In July 2011-Day 30

Whew!  The end of the month is so close I can almost taste it.  I've got a whole pile of stuff I want to squeeze in before the month ends, so let me see what I can do for you tonight...

1. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Jane Morgan from The Second Time Around (Kapp KL-1239, Mono, 1961).  I know, it's not exactly a Christmas song, but I've done worse.

2. Christmas Child by the Company of Irma La Douce, from the original cast recording (better?) of Irma La Douce (Columbia Masterworks OL 5560, Mono, 1960).  This was one of those records I'd never picked up and scanned for Christmas music until today.  And there it was, the very last track on the album.  Now I'll have add this to the list of records I keep an eye out for.

3. Cold, Cold Heart by Floyd Cramer from I Remember Hank Williams (RCA Victor LPM-2544, Mono, 1962).  Still not Christmas, but I need something to cool me down...

4. Greensleeves by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra from The World's Greatest Waltzes (Columbia CL 1938 "Wonderland Of Sound", Mono, 1963).  Gotta dig this up in stereo...

5. The Iceman Cometh (Skater's Waltz) by Pee Wee Hunt from The Classics A la Dixie (Capitol T846, Mono, 1957).  Possibly the best version of The Skater's Waltz this season.

6. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring From Cantata  No. 147 by Whittemore And Lowe, Duo-pianists, from the 7" EP Whittemore And Lowe Play... (RCA Victor Red Seal 7" 45 RPM EP ERA-123, Mono).  Sort of an early Ferrante & Teicher type thing...  But without the prepared piano.

7. Medley: We Wish You A Merry Christmas-Silent Night, Holy Night by Richard Wolfe from Many Happy Returns Of The Day (MGM E4087, Mono, 1963).  I love finding actual Christmas music to share with you guys.

8. Rhumba Bells by Jan August from The Wizardry Of Jan August (Mercury Wing MGW 12254, Mono, 1963).  I was hoping this might be a rhumba version of Jingle Bells, but no such luck.  You get to hear it anyway.

9. Troika En Traineaux (Sleigh Ride) Op. 37a, No. 11 by Leonard Pennario from Humoresque (RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2731, Mono, 1964).  Who knew there were so many different Troikas?

10. Virgin Mary by Walter Raim, the first rerun of the evening, I believe, from Hootenanny For Orchestra (Liberty LRP-3332, Mono, 1963).  I'd forgotten all about this song until I saw a copy of the LP again today.  So you get to hear it again.  Looks like that original share was in stereo, but this one is in mono.  Sorry about that.

11. Away In A Manger by some unknown artist from the LP Prayers And Hymns A Child Should Know (Alshire S-5376, Stereo, 1980).  Gotta love budget labels.  The least they could do is make up some fake artist name.

12. Hot Ice by Biddu Orchestra from the self-titled LP (Epic (CBS) PE 33903, Stereo, 1976).  Yes, it's disco.  No, it's not Christmas.  But since it's 95 in the shade outside, I can use all the ice I can get, even if it's hot.

13. An Improvisation On "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy", another rerun, but a great one from Ray Conniff, His Orchestra And Chorus and their LP Concert In Rhythm-Volume II (Columbia CS 8212, Stereo, 1960).  This was good stuff when I first shared it, and it's good stuff now.

14. Jingle Bells by The Sportsmen from Sing Along With The Sportsmen (Sutton SSU213, Stereo).  Yes, I think those are kazoos.  And no, I don't think I've ever shared a Christmas song with kazoos before.  If I have, I've completely blanked it from my memory.

15. Prayer To The Mother Of God, nominally by Pope John Paul II, from the LP Pope John Paul II Sings At The Festival Of Sacrosong (EOM Records/Infinity Records INF 9899, Stereo, 1979).  I still don't think he's anywhere near this, but what are you gonna do?

16. The Ski Song (Slalom) by David Carroll And His Orchestra from Contrasts (Mercury Wing SRW 12508, Stereo, 1959).  A rerun from the very first year of Christmas In July.  I still love this song.

17. Ave Maria by Armengol And His Orchestra from 29 Strings And Then Some (RCA Victor LPM-1457, Mono, 1957).  Another great rerun that everyone deserves to hear.

18. Toyland by Dick Kesner from his album The New Old Refrain (Coral CRL 757360, Stereo, 1961).  I don't think I've heard this on a violin before.  I guess you never know...

That's it for tonight.  More tomorrow, I promise.  Here's the download link, see you soon.