Try to imagine a time in American politics when a sitting Senator could record a Christmas album? Hard to believe, but it wasn't that long ago. I first saw this LP shared out at the now-defunct blog run by Inkydog (Cheerful Earful, I think it was called). I'd not seen it or heard of it, but I just thought it was the coolest thing. I eventually tracked down a copy (or two) for myself, and now I'm sharing it with you. The name Dirksen was familiar to me even without knowing of this Christmas album, and it took me a while to figure out why. It turns out that one of the office buildings near the US Capitol is named for him, and I've walked past it many times while visiting DC. So I guess he must have been a pretty popular fellow. This isn't the only LP he recorded, either. I think there were at least two other albums, all following the same theme of recitations and spoken lyrics. You can't go wrong with an album like this, believe me. Just imagine John Boehner or Nancy Pelosi doing something like this today. Anyhow, please be my guest and download
Everett McKinley Dirksen At Christmas Time (Capitol ST 2792, Stereo, 1967).
1. The First Time The Christmas Story Was Told
2. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
3. The Prophecy: He Is Coming
4. Christmas Has Come...Joy To The World
5. Shepherds Are Guided: Away In A Manger
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. The Wise Men
8. The Night Before Christmas
9. Epilogue
10. Silent Night
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There were 2 other albums from him; I've got them both. Want 'em?
ReplyDeleteI've got 'em, thanks. They're both a lot more common than this one around these parts.
ReplyDeleteAccording to wiki he recorded 3 other albums besides this Christmas one.
ReplyDeleteBack at about the same time (1967) "Senator Everett McKinley" also had a hit with "Senator Bobby"; they did a duet on "Mellow Yellow".
I have the Gallant Men / Colossus 45, but I never even heard of this record, so thanks for sharing. I like the spoken word "real meaning of Christmas" subgenre. Here's one from Sen. Frank Carlson (R-KS) from the mid 60s. I found it on a 45RPM at the great Encore Records in Ann Arbor MI.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.box.com/s/tcid3ynhbtqq54gqvn3n