Because It's Red

Real quick, here's a little ten inch record for you I found on my trip to Texas a couple years ago with Jenn for a funeral.  We happened to be there one day after the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination, so after the obligatory visit to Dealey Plaza, we hit up a couple of book/record stores.  I normally leave the 10" records to my buddy Buster, but this one was on red vinyl, so I couldn't pass it up.  I don't think there's anything spectacular on here, just a deep-voiced vocalist from the early days of the religious Word label.  There does seem to be a lot of confusion over the name of the LP, though.  The front cover, if you hunt long enough, calls it Christmas Album!.  The back cover says Christmas Music By Frank Boggs.  And the labels on the pretty red vinyl say Christmas Songs By Frank Boggs. (Just to confuse matters, the spine is blank.)  I think I tagged it one thing and then named all the files something different.  Sorry about that.  It's all so confusing!  This is Frank Boggs, Organ Accompaniment By Hugh Waddill-Christmas Album! (Word 10" 33 RPM W2023-LP, Red Vinyl, Mono, 1955).

1. Joy To The World; While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
2. Away In A Manger
3. The First Noel
4. We Three Kings
5. O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Silent Night
6. Thou Didst Leave They Throne; Joy To The World
7. I Wish You A Merry Christmas
8. Birthday Of A King
9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
10. On Gazing At An Old Painting
11. Sweet Little Jesus Boy

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More Crusty Old Music

Writing about my old XX Days of Christmas collections reminded me of this other compilation that I did back in 2007.  No one ever said I'm not ambitious about stuff that is important to me! The idea this time was to pull great tracks from old compilation records I found at the thrift store.  You know, the old sampler records they used to sell at the gas station or grocery store, impulse purchase items near the checkout for those last few weeks of the year.  Buy a record to listen to that's cheap enough to throw out after the holidays.  I was able to find some really great music on those old records, and I wanted to feature them somehow, and this is that.  Though I shared out all these tracks one day at a time in 2007, I didn't pull it all together and put a cover on it until 2009.  I'm slow, sorry.  Looking back, there's some really good stuff in here, though I think I have all the original albums now that these random tracks were pulled from.  But it was a neat idea at the time, and I think you'll really enjoy this collection.  Here is Used Music-The Thrift Store Christmas Compilation Compilation (Ernie (Not Bert) 2007). Again, click the track to go to the day I first shared it out.  Lot sof good cover art in there that's not in the zip file.

The Sanborn Singers-Jingle Bells
Les Baxter Orchestra And Chorus-Hang Your Wishes On The Tree
Sandler & Young-Mister Santa
Peggy Lee-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Danny Kaye-Deck The Halls (With Boughs Of Holly)
Debbie Reynolds-There's No Place Like Home
Claudine Longet-Snow
The Glad Singers-We Three Kings Of Orient Are
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Mills Brothers-You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus
Patti Page-'Twas The Night Before Christmas
George Melachrino-Fairy On The Christmas Tree
The Beneficial Singers-Joyous Christmas
Marlene Dietrich-Little Drummer Boy
Dorothy Collins-Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Red Foley-Frosty The Snowman
Bing Crosby-Christmas Dinner Country Style
Fred Waring-White Christmas
Walter Carlos-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Ed Kinney-The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Les Brown-We Wish You The Merriest
Maurice Chevalier-Jolly Old St. Nicholas
The Ames Brothers-Good King Wenceslas
The Lennon Sisters-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Jerry Colonna-Too Fat For The Chimney
Tex Ritter-Ole Tex Kringle
Les Paul & Mary Ford-The Christmas Song
The New Sounds Of Christmas-We Three Kings
The Anita Kerr Singers-God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
The New Christy Minstrels-Anderson: Sleighride
Douglas Leedy-Deck The Hall

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Really, Really Old Music

Those of you who've been here since way back in the beginning might recall that I used to try and put together a Christmas compilation on a day-to-day basis.  It wound up taking way too much of my time, since I didn't have anything in the can and tried to record and scan something every night.  I also didn't pay a lot of attention to the flow of things, and found myself putting multiple versions of the same track on there, which didn't make for very good listening.  But when you're in the right mood, I think these might make good listening.  Here's the first one, from 2006.  All the tracks are shown below, though I think in reverse order, and they're linked to when I first shared out the song.  Please enjoy 25 Days Of Christmas (Ernie Not Bert, 2006).

Tennessee Ernie Ford-Christmas Dinner
Harry Kari-Oh! Oh! Don't Ever Go
Dorothy Collins-Mister Santa
Connie Canuso-Somebody Painted Rudolph's Nose A Chocolate Brown
Sandy Offenheim-If Snowflakes Fell In Flavours
Up With People-Jingle Bell Beat
The Ames Brothers-Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Jimmy Boyd-Santa Got Stuck In The Chimney
Lou Monte-Italian Jingle Bells
Les Paul-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The Harmonicats-Winter Wonderland
Steve Allen and Ricky Vera-Can I Wait Up For Santa Claus?
Ricardo Montalban & Randy Newman-La Campanilla
Ralph Carmichael-The New Hallelujah
Lawrence Welk With The Lennon Sisters-Santa From Santa Fe
Billy May-March Of The Toys
The Davis Sisters-The Christmas Boogie
Anna Russell-Please Santa Claus
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes 

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And I turned around and did the same thing in 2007, though I don't appear to have ever created a cover for this one.  Perhaps I'm just forgetting where I put it, so if anyone knows of a cover, let me know. I don't think they're backwards this time.  Hard to tell what I was thinking way back then.  Anyhow, enjoy 26 Days Of Christmas (Ernie Not Bert, 2007).

Mickey Gilley-Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Christmas Time
Scott Fagen-Sandy The Blue Nosed Reindeer
Russ Morgan-The Mistletoe Kiss
Sascha Burland-The Chickens Are In The Chimes!
Commander Shea School Boys' Choir-Chree-See-Mus
The Crew-Cuts-Dance Mr. Snowman Dance
Tennessee Ernie-A Rootin' Tootin' Santa Claus
Arthur Godfrey-Christmas Is Christmas
Sue Powell-Kiss Me It's Kiss-mas
Eddy Howard-Uncle Mistletoe
Lonzo And Oscar-Jangle Bells
Margaret Whiting And Jimmy Wakely-Christmas Candy
Joe Dowell-A Kiss For Christmas
Connie Landers-I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter
Joe Ward-Christmas Questions
Molly Bee-Willy Claus
The William Dawson Chorus-Merry Are The Bells
The Roy-Cliffs-Marshmallow World
Cricketone Chorus & Orchestra-The Snowflake Song
Jimmy Boyd-Santa Claus Blues
Dora Hall-Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Burl Ives-It's Gonna Be A Mixed Up Xmas
Lisa And The Lollipops-Stumpy
Dinah Shore-You Meet The Nicest People
Marv Herzog-Round And Round The Xmas Tree
Santa Claus' Helper Little Joey-Ave Maria  

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And yes, I tried it again for 2008, but I didn't make it very far.  Too hard to keep up with this and all the other blog stuff, as well as the real world outside of the internet...  Here's the greatly foreshortened version of 27 Days Of Christmas (Ernie Not Bert, 2008).  Again, no artwork, probably because I never finished it, but also because I'm lazy.  I think I'm back to reverse order here...  Odd.

Roy Rogers And Dale Evans-It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Bobby Vinton-Santa Must Be Polish
The Ames Brothers-Ting-A-Ling-A Jingle
Stan And Doug-I've Had A Very Merry Christmas
Randy Van Horne Singers-It Happened In Sun Valley
Mystery Orchestra And Chorus-Mystery Song
Luis Bordón-White Christmas
The Clancy Brothers-Jingle Bells (Buala Bas)
Keely Smith-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
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)

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Just a reminder, all of these are from my own vinyl copies, no CDs, no downloads, no nicking someone else's copy or hard work.  And this was also before I discovered the excellent ClickRepair which I think has made a huge improvement in the quality of my shares.  So buyer beware!

A Big One

This may be more than you can handle...  This is the Christmas album from (the other) Ray Charles from way back in 1956, though it's not his first winter-themed album.  I've told the story before, starting when I first shared this out way back in 2005.  This one you see here is the remastered version from 2012, and I think it sounds better, though not perfect.  I assume the master tapes exist somewhere, but until Real Gone music get's their hands on them, this is going to have to do.  This is The Ray Charles Singers-Here We Come A-Caroling (MGM E3467, Mono, 1956).

1. Here We Come A Caroling
2. Silent Night
3. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
4. The First Noel
5. O, Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
6. Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child
7. Angels We Have Heard On High
8. What Child Is This (Greensleeves)
9. I Saw Three Ships
10. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
11. Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle
12. Away In A Manger
13. Good King Wenceslas
14. O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
16. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
17. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
18. Rise Up, Shepherd, An' Foller
19. Joy To The World
20. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
21. Here We Come A Caroling

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Now, since you've been so good for Christmas, here's the seasonal Winter album from (the other) Ray Charles.  Again, I first shared this way, way back in 2005 and remastered it in 2012, so I think there's plenty to enjoy here. Have a go at The Ray Charles Singers-Winter Wonderland (MGM E3387, Mono, 1956).

1. Winter Wonderland
2. Button Up Your Overcoat
3. June In January
4. When Winter Comes
5. Snowfall
6. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
7. Winter & Theme For Indoor Sports
8. Moonlight In Vermont
9. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
10. When Winter Comes A-Callin'
11. Jingle Bells
12. By The Fireside

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Still good?  How about the seasonal Spring LP from (the other) Mr. Charles?  This is The Ray Charles Singers-Spring Is Here (MGM E3162, Mono, 1956).

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Not enough for you?  Need a little something to warm you up from the cold winter winds?  How about The Ray Charles Singers-Summertime (MGM E3529, Mono, 1957)

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Almost full circle now, can you feel the chill in the air yet?  I can't.  I live in Florida, and it's still over 80 degrees at the end of December.  The leaves don't even turn colors, so I have to live vicariously through Christmas music.  But for those of you who get an honest to goodness Fall, this is The Ray Charles Singers-Autumn Nocturne (MGM E3145, Mono, 1954).

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The Hidden Noel

How can you not love that cover?  I had to look at it a few times before I saw the Noel in the stained glass, but that may just be me.  I'd not heard of Lucien Hetu before, but I guess he's a popular organist from Canada, and this is not his only Christmas album.  Still looking out for the rest of them, but I shared this out in 2012 and I've been looking for a while now to no avail.  Someday...  In the meantime, please download and enjoy Lucien Hétu-Noël (RCA Gala (Canada) CGPS 343, Stereo, 1969).

1. Minuit Chretiens
2. Adeste Fideles
3. Jesus De Nazareth
4. Noël Des Petits Santons
5. Miracles De Noël (Christmas Is A Day For Miracles)
6. Symphonie De Noël (Christmas Symphony)
7. Le Petit Renne Au Nez Rouge (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
8. Cloches D-Argent (Silver Bells)
9. L'Enfant Au Tambour (Little Drummer Boy)
10. Noël En Mer
11. Le Pere Noël S'En Vient (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)
12. Tourbillon De Noël

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Ya'ssoo!

If anyone has this in your collection already, lemme know.  I'm betting against it.  I can't imagine they sold very many of these outside of the Greek community.  I was very surprised when I discovered it, then doubly surprised when I spotted a second copy a few months later!   I didn't buy that second one, but maybe I should have.  The back of my copy is very water damaged as you'll see in the scan.  But I foolishly didn't think about it at the time.  Maybe I'll ride up to the vintage store next week and see if it's still there.  I doubt it, Christmas records move fast this time of year.  But on to the music.  This wasn't as good as I'd hoped, but it will certainly get someone's attention if they're alert to what's playing.  And if you have any Greek heritage in your family, your aunts and uncles will be very impressed when you play it on Christmas Day!  This is Demetrios Pappas And The Amphion Choir-Christmas Carols In Greek! (Helios 764A, Stereo, 1965).

1. Jingle Bells
2. Greek Christmas Carol
3. Joy To The World
4. We Three Kings
5. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
6. Silent Night
7. Greek New Year's Carol
8. Your Birth, O Christ
9. The Virgin Mary Today
10. Our Savior Has Come Upon Us
11. The Magi And The Shepherds
12. Doxology

(The titles are also listed in Greek on the cover, but I'm not trying to figure out how to type those characters on my keyboard!)

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Why We Sing What We Sing

I don't often give much thought about the songs we sing at Christmas, and why we sing those particular songs, but perhaps I should.  I was thinking about that today and came across this old share from 2010, so I figured I'd throw it up here.  A little something for you guys to contemplate and consider as you're snowed in, or perhaps you're waiting in line already for the new Star Wars movie.  (My tickets are for tomorrow night, in 3D!)  Anyhow, these are the stories behind eight of the most popular Christmas carols and a nice little choral performance of each.  Please enjoy Carols Of Christmas And The Stories Behind Them (Christian Home Music-Produced For The Radio And Television Commission Of The Southern Baptist Convention, PR4M-1528 & 1529, 1963, Mono).  All narration is by Nicholas Ramsey, vocals as indicated.

1. The Story Of 'Away In A Manger'
2. The Baptist Hour Choir-Away In A Manger
3. The Story Of 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing'
4. The Baptist Hour Choir-Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
5. The Story Of 'It Came Upon The Midnight Clear'
6. The Baptist Hour Choir-It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
7. The Story Of ' We Three Kings'
8. The Baptist Hour Choir-We Three Kings
9. The Story Of 'O Holy Night'
10. Joe Ann Shelton-O Holy Night
11. The Story Of 'O Come All Ye Faithful'
12. Cody Garner-O Come All Ye Faithful
13. The Story Of 'O Little Town Of Bethlehem'
14. Cody Garner-O Little Town Of Bethlehem
15. The Story Of 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day'
16. Oris Baldwin & Loeen Bushman-I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

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Hand Bells

More bells, this time the hand variety, from a rare little album I first shared back in 2010.  It's a cool little piece from a label that later became known as a stereo showcase, but this came out before stereo was actually a thing.  Pretty cool piece of history to me, but maybe not so exciting musically.  So don't bother to download The Berkshire Bell Ringers-Berkshire Bell Ringers (Audio Fidelity AFLP 1804, Mono, 1956).

1. O Come All Ye Faithful
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night)
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
5. Joy To The World
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
8. Silent Night
9. First Noel
10. I Wonder As I Wander
11. We Three Kings
12. Carol Of The Bells
13. Rise Up Shepherds And Foller
14. Good King Wencelas (sic)

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Silver Bells

Took forever, but here is today's new share for you.  I was flipping through the stacks of stuff that I had recorded and this happy Santa Claus caught my eye.  You guys needed another polka record, I figured, and an oberek never hurt anyone.  It wasn't until I pulled the LP from the sleeve that I realized the job in front of me.  Half a dozen pieces of paper came out of the sleeve with the record, and I had to scan them all in for you.  Now you have a fairly complete catalog of releases on the Stella label, as well as an order card, an envelope, a biography of Bernie and I think an order form for some sheet music and books.  Don't say I never did anything nice for you!  In addition to all that, you get some nice music.  And those abrupt edits near the end of most of the songs?  That's on the vinyl, folks.  I'm not sure what effect they are trying to achieve there, perhaps they wanted you to think these were live tracks?  I don't know, but it's disconcerting if you aren't expecting it.  Anyhow, this is Bernie Witkowski And His Silver Bell Orchestra-The Christmas Record (Stella S-LP 914, Mono).

1. Jingle Bells Polka
2. Christmas Tree Polka
3. On A Sleigh--Polka
4. White Christmas
5. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
6. Toy Shop Polka
7. Harmonica For Christmas--Polka
8. Little Christmas Tree--Polka
9. Ol' Man Santa--Oberek
10. Bells Are Ringing--Polka
11. Christmas Lullaby--Polka
12. My Boy Friend Santa--Polka

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Revisit The Outdoors

This is one of my most surprisingly popular shares.  Over the years, I have probably gotten as many comments on this one as on any of the mainstream things I've posted, maybe more.  So when I found a new copy sometime last year, I decided to rerip and remaster it.  And as an added bonus, I've also included the non-Christmas flip side for the first time!  So those of you who grew up with this record can now listen to the whole thing.  If you have no idea what this is, you can read what I wrote back in 2007, but for the real story, read the comments! This is John Donnelly And Sons-Sing It Outdoors (No Catalog Number (Green Translucent Vinyl), Mono).

1. Sing It Outdoors
2. Deck The Halls
3. O Tannenbaum
4. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
5. The Friendly Beasts
6. Christmas Knows No Bounds
7. Les Agnes Dans Nos Campagnes
8. Maria Und Joseph
9. Nu Ar Det Jul Icen
10. Twelve Days Of Christmas
11. What Child Is This
12. Unto Us A Boy Was Born
13. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
14. Silent Night
15. Sing It Outdoors-Reprise
16. Sing It Outdoors
17. Moon Over Miami/Moonlight In Vermont
18. How High The Moon
19. I Cover The Waterfront
20. Dancing On The Ceiling/On The Street Where You Live
21. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
22. This Is My Beloved/Lover
23. It's All Right With Me
24. All The Things You Are
25. Happy New Year

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A Rare Burl

One of the great voices of Christmas is Burl Ives.  Right up there with Bing, Elvis, Dean and maybe Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Burl Ives just says Christmas to a few generations of Americans.  And this is some of his Christmas music that you've probably never heard.  He recorded this for the Caedmon label in the early Seventies, and as far as I can tell, it didn't go far.  Burl seemed to hop labels a lot, releasing albums for Columbia, Decca, Word, Disney and undoubtedly others, along with singles too numerous to count.  The theme of this record was Christmas music that was a favorite of certain presidents, or at least assumed to be.  Historical records are scant as to which president preferred Jingle Bells over I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, but there are some and these are the ones they dug up.  I first shared this out in 2011 and it was one of my great prides of that season.  Please give a listen to Burl Ives, Music Conducted By Tony Mottola-Christmas At The White House (Caedmon TC 9102, Stereo, 1972).

1. The Little Drummer Boy (Richard M/ Nixon)
2. Joy To The World (John Adams)
3. Adeste Fideles (Thomas Jefferson)
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Zachary Taylor)
5. While Shepherds Watch'd Their Flocks By Night (George Washington)
6. Silent Night (Lyndon B. Johnson)
7. Christmas On The Sea (Theodore Roosevelt)
8. We Three Kings Of Orient Are (Abraham Lincoln)
9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Ulysses S. Grant)
10. Shout The Glad Tidings (Andrew Jackson)
11. Silver Bells (John F. Kennedy)
12. Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Laden (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

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I'm convinced there is another version of this record that features narration about each of the songs in addition to the music.  I've never seen it, but I'd love to score a copy.  Anybody out there got one they can spare?  Anyone?

By Popular Demand

Not sure why this one has been such a popular request over there years, but here it is again.  I shared this in 2007, and it got many, many comments.  And as you know, comments are the lifeblood of many blogs (hint, hint, hint). So if you like this one, you know what to do.  Here is The Shepherd's Children's Chorus-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (RCA Camden CAS-1126, 1971).

1. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
2. Baby Brother (Santa Claus, Dear Santa Claus)
3. I'll Borrow A Stocking From Mrs. Elephant (And Have A Big Christmas This Year)
4. Snow Bells
5. The Christmas Tree
6. Do You Hear What I Hear
7. Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)
8. I Wish I Had A Beard Like Santa Claus
9. On The Santa Claus Express
10. Elfie The Elf (With The Wiggly Waggly Ears)
11. Ten Little Choir Boys

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Hi-Fi Means Mono

You sounded like you could use a little red vinyl in your life, so here's some wonderful Christmas organ music for you from a cool red record.  This first got shared in 2007, but was remastered in 2012 for your enjoyment.  I want to say a have a non-LP single by Ramona somewhere, but I don't know what I did with it.  I need to see if I can find that.  In the meantime, this is Ramona Gerhard At The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ-Christmas In Hi-Fi (Soma MG 1202 (Red Vinyl), Mono).

1. Medley: Silent Night; O Tannenbaum; We Three Kings; Deck The Halls With Holly
2. Ave Maria
3. Christmas Song
4. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
5. Medley: O' Little Town Of Bethlehem; Jolly Old St. Nicholas; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; We Wish You A Merry Christmas
6. White Christmas
7. Sleigh Ride
8. Noel, Noel

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And there's even a bonus cover for you!  Not sure which one is the original and which one came later.

Stars In Your Ears

This record sat on the top of the pile for years after I ripped it, so I think of it a lot.  I don't remember much about the music, though, because it's not all that interesting.  But there sure are a lot of stars singing in that muddy choir!  Big stand out here is Bob and Dolores Hope singing Silver Bells, a song Bob introduced in one of his movies.  I shared this out way back in 2010, so it's been around for a while now.  Go ahead, give it a listen, this is The Voices Of Christmas With Les Brown And His Band Of Renown-Hark, The Stars Of Hollywood Sing (Coral CRL 757307, Stereo, 1960).  Thanks, Buster!

1. Jingle Bells
2. The First Noel
3. O Come All Ye Faithful
4. Coventry Carol
5. Deck The Halls
6. Winter Wonderland
7. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
8. Silver Bells-Featuring Dolores & Bob Hope
9. The Carol Of The Bells
10. It's Christmas Time Again
11. Gloria In Excelsis
12. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
13. I Wonder As I Wander
14. Good King Wenceslas
15. O Holy Night
16. The Stranger with Silent Night- Featuring Reginald Owen

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Zumba Zum

I don't think I spend enough time here on the blog with foreign (non-USA) Christmas music.  For one thing, it's not very common here in the US, and when I do find some, it's often hard to get into and I loose interest in it quickly. But when I found this record of Christmas music from Spain and shared it out back in 2008, I was pleasantly surprised.  There's very little here in the way of recognizable Christmas songs, but I really enjoyed it and listened to it often.  If that sounds like something you'd like to try, please be my guest and download The Madrid Concert Orchestra And Chorus-Victorino Echevarria, Arranger-Conductor-Christmas In Spain (United Artists UAS 6059, Stereo, 1959).

1. Zumba Zum
2. Long Live St Joseph And The Child (Viva San Jose Y El Nino)
3. Sleep Little Jesus (Dorm Jesuset)
4. Where Are You Going Little Shepherd? (Adonde Vas, Pastorcito?)
5. Tan-Tan
6. Sing Little Ones (Chicetes, Cantem)
7. And There Is A Star (Y Es Una Estrella)
8. To Bethlehem (A Betlem, Si Us Plau)
9. Between The Straw And The Ice (Entre La Paja Y El Hielo)
10. From Egypt To Bethlehem (De Egipto Para Belene)
11. The Child Came Down From Heaven (El Nino Bajo Del Cielo)
12. Lotan-Dago
13. The Tambourines Are Playing (Suenen Las Panderetas)
14. Bolo, Bolo, Bolo

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Experience Christmas

Here's something for you that's a bit out of left field, especially for this blog.  I flipped to this record in my collection and thought it was a budget collection of random tracks on a no-name label, but then I flipped back and picked it up.  I'd not heard of any Christmas music from The Gap Band, so I looked it up online and found that it was a sampler for the Total Experience label, home of The Gap Band, Yarbrough & People and a few others in the early 80's.  Far as I can tell, it's not been reissued, until now.  Get your groove on with A Total Experience Christmas (Total Experience TEL8-5707, Stereo, 1984).

1. The Gap Band-This Christmas
2. The Gap Band-The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
3. Jonah Ellis-Christmas Won't Be Christmas Without My Baby
4. Yarbrough & Peoples-Christmas Dreams
5. Prime Time-All I Need For Christmas Is Your Love
6. Pennye Ford & Oliver Scott-Silent Night
7. Goodie-Please Come Home For Christmas
8. The Gap Band-I Miss You Most Of All At Christmas
9. Oliver Scott-Joy To The World

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A Musical Christmas

Here's something I had forgotten that I even shared back in 2012.  Looks like it was right after Christmas, and more scarily, right after a failed hard drive.  Reading the blog sometimes is like reading a diary, I'm constantly reminded of things I thought I would never forget, but did. Don't forget to download this before it gets forgotten again!  Here is Hans Carste And His Orchestra With Organ And Bells-Noël Noël-A Musical Christmas (Decca DL 78809, Stereo, 1958).

1. Silent Night
2. Adeste Fideles (Oh Come, All Ye Faithful)
3. Come Hither Ye Children
4. O Tannenbaum
5. The Snow Falls Quietly
6. See, The Conquering Hero Comes
7. White Christmas
8. O Thou Cheerful One
9. The First Noel
10. Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming
11. Winter Wonderland
12. From Heaven Above To Earth I Come

Nope, no share to see here, folks, keep moving.  Check Spotify...

Ring Christmas Bells

Believe it or not, I looked at this LP this morning and thought about resharing it, but then I decided on Chimeatron instead (because Chimeatron command you!).  But then I got a request, and I figured I better go ahead and get it up here.  At least there's one person out there who wants some Christmas carillon. I first shared this LP out back in 2008 and I don't think it's ever shown it's face around here again.  But everything old is new again, so please download and enjoy Robert John Carwithen-The Bells On Christmas Morn-The Schulmerich "Carillon Americana" Bells (Decca DL 8792, Mono, 1958).  I also just managed to dig up the date of 1958 for this.  Gotta try a bunch of different search terms sometimes, but those Billboard archives are a goldmine of info!

1. "Basilican" Bells-Pealing
2. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
3. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
5. The First Noel
6. Joy To The World
7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
9. Silent Night
10. White Christmas
11. Carol Of The Bells
12. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
13. Good Christian Men Rejoice-What Child Is This?
14. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
15. Deck The Hall-Good King Wenceslas
16. I Saw Three Ships-I Wonder As I Wander
17. Away In A Manger

Zippyshare

Designed For Repeated Listening

Another one of those small records that has really good stuff on it that you can't find anywhere else, this little gem was shared here back in 2010, then quickly forgotten. I'm bringing it back today to fight that loss.  While not strictly Christmas music, this is certainly festive stuff and won't raise any eyebrows if you mix it into the soundtrack of your company Christmas party.  Please enjoy The Merriest Time! (Repertory/Sesac AD-35 7" 45 RPM, Mono).

1. The Honey Dreamers With Richard Maltby And His Orchestra-Wild Bells
2. Richard Maltby And His Orchestra-Jangle Waltz
3. Richard Maltby And His Orchestra-Skater's Holiday
4. Skitch Henderson And His Orchestra-The Merry Bells

Zippyshare

It's A Gas!

Don't ask what made me think of this one today, but I did, so here it is again.  Great little single-sided 45 from the Boston area, it evidently started out life as an advertising jingle, but became so popular they created a longer version and released the record.  I think you'll be humming this all afternoon once you download and listen to Al Sears And His Countrymen-The Montreal Express (Blue Flame Records 1-Sided 7" 45 RPM, Stereo).  This one was first shared out around these parts in 2011, and I advise you to go back and read some of the comments for more of the story behind this record.

Zippyshare

All Hail Chimeatron!

Of all the records I probably shouldn't bring back, this is certainly near the top.  But how can I resist, it features chimes by Chimeatron, and when Chimeatron tells you to do something, you do it.  So making a repeat appearance from 2008, this is George Chiainia, Organ, With Chimes By Chimeatron-Music Of The Holiday Season-Organ And Chimes (Colonial LP-272, Stereo).  I shouldn't admit this, but I tried to re-record a new copy of this I found last year.  I couldn't do it.  I couldn't make it through.  Hopefully, you're made of sterner stuff than I.  Chimeatron commands it!

1. White Christmas
2. O Come All Ye Faithful
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. Oh Holy Night
5. Joy To The World
6. Angels We Have Heard On High
7. Away In The Manger
8. Noel
9. Silent Night
10. Jingle Bells
11. Oh How Joyfully
12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
13. In Dulce Jubilo
14. Beautiful Savior
15. We Three Kings
16. Lo How A Rose

Zippyshare

Sweat Equity

I know you've been waiting patiently all day for something new, so here it is.  A little 10" record featuring the chimes of the Equity Building somewhere in Iowa!  I found this record a month or so ago and got really excited because I realized I already had another one like it, and you know how I love completing sets!  There is a bit of overlap between the two records, and I didn't do an A/B test to see if they are the exact same recording of those repeated songs.  But give it a chance, I think you'll like it.  This is The Equitable Chimes Play Christmas Carols (Equitable Of Iowa 10" 33 RPM CTV-121481/2 (Label shows title as The Equitable Chimes Play Ten Of The World's Best Loved Christmas Carols), Mono).  This one seems to have a side with more secular songs and one with ye olde carols.

1. Silent Night
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
4. Away In A Manger
5. O Come All Ye Faithful
6. White Christmas
7. Winter Wonderland
8. Jingle Bells
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Zippyshare

While I'm at it, I'll go ahead and reshare the old record as well.  Only I went back and found the WAV files still on my computer from all those years ago and re-encoded them at a higher bitrate.  This way it matches the one above.  I know you want to hear those pretty chimes in maximum fidelity!  You're welcome.  This is The Equitable Chimes-The Equitable Chimes Play Ten Of The World's Best Loved Christmas Carols (Equitable Life Insurance Company Of Iowa 10" 33 RPM CTV-84282/84283, Mono).  The catalog numbers of these two records aren't even close, so I can't really tell you which one came first...

1. O Holy Night
2. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
3. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
4. The First Noel
5. Joy To The World
6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
7. Away In A Manger
8. O Come All Ye Faithful
9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
10. Silent Night

Zippyshare