Christmas In July 2018-Day 14

Day 14, in which all the posts are stereo because I forgot that I had my playlist sorted by bitrate and didn't scroll down to the mono part of the list...  Such are the pitfalls of this profession, children.

1. Cherry Tree Carol, by The Mitchell Trio-Solo By Mike Kobluk, making it's stereo debut in these parts, from the LP Typical American Boys (Mercury SR 60992, Stereo, 1965).  There's lots of very political stuff on this album, but not so much on this track.

2. Christmas Day by The Placentia Presbyterian Chancel Choir-Directed By Kris Brundin, Tenor Solo By John Press, from Christmas Chimes 'N Other Times (Monarch Records DBP-226, Stereo, 1977).  Nice medley here.

3. Greensleeves by Strings Unlimited from Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head/Bridge Over Troubled Water (Oscar Records OS-109 (Reissue of old material by 101 Strings from Alshire label), Stereo, 1972).  Budget material, reissued to rip more people off.

4. Listen, Shepherds, Listen! by The Winnipeg Mennonite Children's Choir-Helen Litz, Director, from the LP Singing The Seasons Of The Lord (Choristers Guild DSC-1, Stereo, 1979).  Got a lot of these choral groups this year.  Nice, but they run together sometimes...

5. Little Toy Store by Julie Budd, Produced, Arranged & Conducted By Herb Bernstein, from her debut LP Child Of Plenty (MGM SE-4545, Stereo, 1968).  Not really a Christmas song (are any of my shares really Christmas songs?  Well, maybe a couple...) but I was suckered in by the word toy in the title.

6. Medley From The Sound Of Music by De Wayne Fulton from An Evening With De Wayne Fulton, Harpist, Vol. 1 aka An Evening At The Warehouse (Safari Record SS-1001, Stereo).  You can't tell with the cover in front of you, or maybe listening to it, but it's on the harp!  I didn't listen too closely but I assume it's got to have My Favorite Things in there somewhere, right?

7. Our Winter Love by Clebanoff And His Orchestra from Today's Best Hits (Mercury SR 60791, Stereo, 1963).  Is this today's best hit?  Maybe, you tell me.

8. Silver Bells by Willie Dittrich from the Christmas half of his LP The Singing Zither-Christmas Music & Old Time Hymns (Jim Loyd Presents 1002 (WMT Radio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Stereo).  Another song that really isn't about Christmas, but at least most folks think it is.  It's from a Bob Hope movie people.  Bob Hope!

9. We Three Kings Of Orient Are by Brass Of The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Conducted By Alfred Newman, from Hallelujah! (Capitol SP8529, Stereo, 1960).  Now this may be the best track of the day!

10. Danses Caracteristiques: March; Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy; Russian Dance (Trepak); Arabian Dance; Chinese Dance; Dance Of The Reed Pipes, all of it in one go by Leonard Bernstein Conducting The New York Philharmonic from Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67/Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A (Columbia Masterworks MS 6193, Stereo, 1961).  Since you only get one Nutcracker song today, I figured it should be a really long one.  You're welcome.

There you go, ten more songs.  Ten songs a day for the whole month is what, 310 tracks?  Yeah, I should be able to do that. Those two medley's in there make this the longest share of the year so far, how about that!

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 13

Lucky number 13!  I've made it this far, there's no stopping me now!

1. Bobsled, performed by Hector Olivera on his album Page Won By Hector-Embassy Theatre, Ft. Wayne (Engle Associates Recording EAR-10313, Stereo).  I love this song in the original version by Clebanoff, something I've long featured around here, but I think my friend Lee over at Music You Won't discovered it first.  This version doesn't have the same frantic energy of that version, but it's nice.

2. Behold Your Little Child by First United Methodist Church, Cullman, Alabama-Children's Choir, from the album A Celebration In Song (Prestige 80-157, Stereo, 1981.  Kiddies singing, but not bad.

3. Go Tell It On The Mountain, a beautiful duo piano version by Charles Magnuson And Kurt Kaiser from Duo Magic! (Word WST-8057-LP, Stereo, 1960).  I was so excited when I spotted this title on the back of the LP, and the track did not disappoint.  You'll enjoy it!

4. Masters In This Hall by 1978 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM 4471, Stereo, 1979).  This is a Christmas song I run into from time to time, yet I'm not at all familiar with it.  I need to do some research and further listening/

5. Intro To Dance Of The Mirlitons by Deems Taylor from Britten: The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra/Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a (Mercury MG 50055, Mono, 1955).  I really like these little narrative bits, especially when butted up against something entirely different from what they're describing.

6. The Volga Vouty (Russian Dance) by Duke Ellington And His Orchestra from Nutcracker Suite/Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1 And 2 (Odyssey (Columbia) 32 16 0252 (Originally issued 1960), Stereo, 1980).  Not the original Tchaikovsky version, but man, does it swing! I think I had this labelled in the track tags as originally released way back in 1060, before the Norman conquest of England, but that's not correct.  I believe 1960 is a much closer date.  You might need to update the tags on any earlier shares from the record.  Sorry.

7. Miniature Overture by Leonard Bernstein Conducting The New York Philharmonic from Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf, Op. 67/Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A (Columbia Masterworks MS 6193, Stereo, 1961).  I think I've got the suite all out of order tonight.  Not that I know the exact running order, but I think the overture generally comes first...

8. Waltz Of The Flowers by The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Felix Slatkin from the LP Nutcracker Suite/A Midsummer Night's Dream (Capitol SP8404, Stereo, 1957).  Really early for stereo, but not impossible.  Probably released to vinyl in that first year only in mono, but they knew stereo was on the way...

9. Dance Of The Flutes by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra-Andre Kostelanetz, Piano Soloist from Nutcracker Suite-Between Birthdays-Verses By Ogden Nash (Columbia Masterworks ML 5664, Mono, 1961).  Whoops, mean to put this up there next to the Mirlitons intro.  Without that intro, how would we know that Tchaikovsky changed the mirlitons in the original ballet to flutes in the suite?

10.  Chinese Dance by Alfred Wallenstein Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London from Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture-The Nutcracker Suite (Audio Fidelity (Mexico) FCS 50,006, Stereo, 1959).  And The Chinese Dance certainly doesn't come last.  Well, it does around here...

And that's it for today.  Hope you aren't sick of the Nutcracker variations yet.  I suppose it would be less sickening if there were more variations, but I gotta work with what I got.

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 12

Day 12 already?  Time flies when you're having fun.  I hope you're enjoying this music as much as I am.  A few goodies already this year, but I'm really trying to save some good stuff for the second half.  If I haven't shared out something that strikes your fancy yet, just keep listening, there's bound to be something good coming.  Here's ten more tracks that might tickle your fancy!

1. I'll Be Home For Christmas by Willie Dittrich, from an album I just found today, The Singing Zither-Christmas Music & Old Time Hymns (Jim Loyd Presents 1002 (WMT Radio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Stereo).  That's right, Christmas music on the zither!  And the whole second side of the album is Christmas, so I'll have plenty more of this stuff, whether you love it or not.

2. Virgin Mary Had A Little Baby by Tom Paslé from the various artists LP Folk Festival (ABC-Paramount ABC-408, Mono, 1962).  I tell you, sometimes these old folk albums are a Christmas goldmine some days!

3. Frontier Christmas (Harlow & The Mrs.), a comedy skit by Hudson & Landry from their album Right Off! (Dore LP-329, Stereo, 1973).  I think I've shared this track with you before, but it was from a best-of album. This appears to be the original, though I think it came out on 45 before the album release.  Don't know if that was any different.

4. Doll Dance by Del Castillo from Half & Half (Concert Recording CR-0028, Stereo).  More organ for you.

5. Waltz Of The Flowers, your only Nutcracker song of the night, plucked on guitar by Los Indios Tabajaras from Casually Classic (RCA Victor LSP-3505, Stereo, 1966).  I think these guys released a Christmas single at some point, but I've never found it.  Anyone have any knowledge of that?

6. Summer Me, Winter Me (From "Picasso Summer") by Enoch Light And The Light Brigade from The Best Of The Movie Themes 1970 (Project 3 PR 5046SD, Stereo, 1970).  I really wish Enoch had recorded a whole Christmas album at some point.  The random stuff that came out on his label are all interesting, but there's not enough of it.

7. Sleigh Ride (not the Leroy Anderson tune) as done by the amazing Shari Lewis With Lambchop And Charley Horse With Marty Gold And His Orchestra, Lan O'Kun At The Piano, from her classic children's LP Fun In Shariland (RCA Camden CAL-1006 (Reissue of LBY-1006, 1958), Mono, 1960).  Great stuff!  This is what keeps me digging through those piles of raw vinyl.

8. Carol Of The Bells by The Singing Sergeants from Serenade In Blue-Series Eleven (Programs 131-143) (United States Air Force 7xLP Suggested Air Date: October-December 1969, Stereo, 1969).  Another thing I wish I could find more of.  These military releases are all good stuff.

9. Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) by Bob Beck At The Outdoor Organ from the album The Grotto Organs In Reverie (Adon, Oregon Ltd. V8844, Mono).  I told you I had a lot of organ tracks to share this year.  Perhaps you didn't believe me.  I've still got a stack of them to record!

10. Italian Jingle Bells by Lou Monte With Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra And Chorus, a track I can't help but rerun year after year after year, every time I see the album Lou Monte Sings Songs For Pizza Lovers (RCA Victor LPM-1877, Mono, 1958).  Another artist I wish had a larger Christmas catalog.

And that's it.  Feels like a very eclectic set, but than most days feel that way.  Gotta be something in there for everyone tonight.

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 11

Hmmm, nothing special about day 11.  Not an anniversary of anything, not an even number, though it is odd and prime.  So I'd best quit talking about it and give you what you want, more Christmas music!

1. My Favorite Things (From The Musical Production "The Sound Of Music") by The Trapp Family Singers And Chorus, Arranged And Conducted By Father Franz Wasner. from their LP version of The Sound Of Music (RCA Victor LSP-2277, Stereo, 1960).  It was probably inevitable that the subjects of the Sound Of Music play would perform the songs from it at one point.  And this is the closest thing we get to a Christmas song from that play, though the Trapp Family did record other Christmas music.

2. Christmas Time's A Coming, a bluegrass Christmas classic by Reno & Smiley And The Tennessee Cutups from their last LP Last Time Together (Starday SLP 485-498, Stereo, 1972).  Not sure of the exact genesis of this track, I certainly don't think it's the hit version, so I don't know why they chose to revisit it, but I'm glad they did!

3. Blue Doll by Kitty Kallen-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Milton De Lugg, from her album If I Give My Heart To You (Columbia CS 8204, Stereo, 1960).  I think just about any song with the word doll in the title sorta kinda counts as Christmas music.  Maybe.

4. Rise Up Shepherd by The Highwaymen from Standing Room Only! (United Artists UAS 6168, Stereo, 1962).  No, this is not the country supergroup with Willie, Waylon, Kris and Johnny, but that would be awesome if it were!

5. Overture Miniature begins tonight's Nutcracker Suite, as performed by Warwick Symphony Orchestra from the first LP on the label, Nutcracker Suite/Carnival Of The Animals (Camden (RCA) CAL-100, Mono, 1954).  Good place to start.

6. Marche by Alfred Wallenstein Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London from Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture-The Nutcracker Suite (Audio Fidelity (Mexico) FCS 50,006, Stereo, 1959). Yawn.

7. Dance Of The Flutes by The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Felix Slatkin from Nutcracker Suite/A Midsummer Night's Dream (Capitol SP8404, Stereo, 1957).  Was Felix Slatkin's time at the Hollywood Bowl right before Carmen Dragon?  I know this is before he started releasing those Fantastic Strings albums on Liberty.

8. Waltz Of The Flowers by Linda Kent from The Many Moods Of The "Mighty Mo" (AC/ATOS (Atlanta Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society) 30767, Stereo, 1977).  The Mighty Mo was apparently some organ, but you probably figured that out on your own...

9. Chinese Dance (Nutcracker Suite) by Carmen Dragon Conducting The Capitol Symphony Orchestra from Orientale (Capitol P-8453, Mono, 1963).  Speaking of Carmen Dragon, here he is!

10. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, not the whole song though, just some narration by Peter Ustinov from Nutcracker Suite-Between Birthdays-Verses By Ogden Nash (Columbia Masterworks ML 5664, Mono, 1961).  Classic stuff.

Is that it?  Yep, ten tracks.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow for more!

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 10

Day the Tenth!  Let's go!

1. Emanuel, Emmanuel by First United Methodist Church, Cullman, Alabama-Children's Choir, from A Celebration In Song (Prestige 80-157, Stereo, 1981).  Kids singing.  It is what it is.

2. Skaters Waltz by George Wright from Sweet And Low (HiFi Records, Life Series L1011, Mono, 1963).  Yes, 'Skaters', that's what it said.  Sorry.

3. Nutcracker: Grand Pas De Deux by Minneapolis Symphony/Dorati, from the double album The Heart Of The Ballet (Mercury 2xLP SR2 9127, Stereo).  You get music from the Nutcracker ballet tonight, just to throw you off the scent a little.

4. Boar's Head Carol by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM 4471, Stereo, 1979).  Still enjoying the songs from this one.  Glad I found another copy to share this year.

5. Mary's Little Boy Child by The Placentia Presbyterian Chancel Choir-Ruth White Miller, Director, from Christmas Chimes 'N Other Times (Monarch Records DBP-226, Stereo, 1977).  Haven't heard too much from Jester Hairston lately, so here's one of his songs.

6. Cold December (In Your Heart) by The Original Limelighters, or if you prefer, The Limelighters.  This is from one of their later albums, Time To Gather Seeds (Warner Bros.-Seven Arts WS 1762, Stereo, 1968).  I don't know what the deal is with the confusion over their name.  I know this is not their earlier label, so there may have been some issues there.

7. Moonlight In Vermont by the great Brook Benton from Songs I Love To Sing (Mercury SR 60602, Stereo, 1960).  Good stuff here.

8. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers (From "Chauve Souris") by Irving Fields Trio from the LP Latin Dance Date (RCA Camden CAL 350, Mono, 1958).  This can't be the first version of this I've shared out this year, can it?  I must be overlooking something.

9. The Toy Trumpet by Eddie Dunstedter from Mister Pipe Organ!-Eddie Dunstedter At The Morton Pipe Organ (Capitol T1128, Mono, 1959).  Can't go wrong with Eddie Dunstedter performing a song by Raymond Scott!

10. Sleighride, No. 3 From "Three German Dances, K. 605" by The Elgin Symphony Orchestra-Robert Hanson, Music Director-David Katz, Associate Conductor, from the album Elgin Presents... (Private Pressing SM-9/87, Stereo).  More goodness from vanity pressings.

That's it, ten songs for day ten!  The universe is in balance.

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 09

I'm not even sure what day this is.  Day 9. Monday, yeah, I think it's a Monday.  It's also another day during Christmas in July, so here goes!

1. Hallelujah Chorus by The Real Thing Steel Band from their LP The Clay House Inn Presents The Real Thing Steel Band (Edmar WLPS 1111, Stereo).  You liked the Nutcracker stuff performed on the steel drums, so here's some Handel for you!

2. Gesu Bambino by The Placentia Presbyterian Chancel Choir-Ruth White Miller, Director-Baritone Solo By Ross Raymond, Alto Solo By Marge Somerville, from Christmas Chimes "N Other Times (Monarch Records DBP-226, Stereo, 1977).  I've got plenty of these local groups this year.  They're always good for a track or two.

3. Jolly Sleigh Ride by Six Fat Dutchmen from Merry Polkas (RCA Victor LPM-1418, Mono, 1957).  I paid too much for this record at an expensive record store here in Sarasota.  But when I say the song title, I knew I had to have it.  I've shared out a couple of other tracks from this ensemble over the years, but this one was new to me!

4. It's Now Winter's Day by Tommy Roe, the title track from It's Now Winter's Day (ABC Records ABCS-594/ST-91146, Stereo, 1967).  This was one of the few records I found at a recent fundraiser for the community radio station in Tampa this year.  It was in bad shape, but I knew I needed the stereo version. Lot's a stereo going on in this one, too, so it was worth it!

5. The Things We Did Last Summer, a rare Christmas-adjacent track by Lesley Gore from My Town, My Guy & Me (Mercury MG 21042, Mono. 1965).  Sometimes these things just fall into my lap when I'm not looking...

6. Button Up Your Overcoat by Eddie Layton At The Hammond Organ, from his album Skatin' With Layton (Mercury SR 60258, Stereo, 1960).  I don't think I've shared out this song too much in the past, but I've warmed up to it in the past year or so.  So here it is!

7. Skater's Waltz (Die Schlittschuhläufer), Op. 183 by Vienna State Opera Orchestra (Volksoper)-Anton Paulik, Conductor, from the album Gold And Silver-Great Waltzes Of The Old World (Vanguard VRS-1002, Mono, 1957).  Lots of stuff on the Vanguard label this year for some reason.

8. Overture Miniature by Alfred Wallenstein Conducting The Virtuoso Symphony Of London from Romeo And Juliet Fantasy Overture-The Nutcracker Suite (Audio Fidelity (Mexico) FCS 50,006, Stereo, 1959).  Interesting to see what music they've paired up with The Nutcracker over the years to fill out an album.

9. Waltz Of The Flowers And Dance Of The Reed Pipes (The Nutcracker Suite) by Lamoureux Orchestra Of Paris, Conducted By Georges Tzipine, from the LP The Romantic Music Of Fritz Kreisler/Familiar Themes From Tchaikovsky (Capitol P-397, Mono, 1953). Two Nutcracker tracks for the price of one!

10. Arabian Dance (Nutcracker Suite) by Carmen Dragon Conducting The Capitol Symphony Orchestra from Orientale (Capitol P-8453, Mono, 1963).  I'm sure I have this in stereo somewhere, and have probably shared it before, but mono was the only copy I had in the stacks.

And that's your ten tracks for tonight!  Hope you find something good in there!

Zippyshare

Christmas In July 2018-Day 08

Day eight, so that's the first week down.  How we doin', everybody hanging on, keeping up, ready for more?  Good!  Let's go for week two!

1. Greensleeves by Raymond Lewenthal-Piano, from his LP Moonlight And Keyboard (Westminster XWN 18403, Mono, 1956).  If you ever wonder why I share so many versions of Greensleeves, it's because it's easy to find versions of it.  It's really old, so there's no royalties to be paid to the songwriter, and you can sing What Child Is This to the tune, so it's Christmas!

2. Silent Night by First United Methodist Church, Cullman, Alabama-Bell Choir, from their LP A Celebration In Song (Prestige 80-157, Stereo, 1981).  Yes, it's my first song of the year featuring the handbells!  And I don't know if I'll have anymore or not.  This one was kind of a surprise when I put it on the turntable, I wasn't expecting it.  So enjoy it!

3. Go Where I Send Thee by The Weavers from The Weavers At Carnegie Hall (Vanguard VRS 9010 (Metropolitan Music Library VG 9010), Mono, 1959).  Pretty sure I've shared this one with you multiple times in years gone by, but this release featured a different cover than usual.  Must be some sort of club or something, this Metropolitan Music Library.

4. White Snow by Bob Lind from The Elusive Bob Lind (Verve Folkways FT-3005, Mono, 1966).  Don't know much about this one.  Perhaps one of you will chime in with some detail.  :) Good song, though.

5. Miniature Overture, the only Nutcracker song of the night, this time by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra-Andre Kostelanetz, Piano Soloist, from Nutcracker Suite-Between Birthdays-Verses By Ogden Nash (Columbia Masterworks ML 5664, Mono, 1961).  Got lots and lots of Nutcracker music this year, but I don't want to overwhelm you with it every day.  At least not here at the beginning.

6. Winter by The Young Americans from The Young Americans Presented By Johnny Mathis (Mercury MG 21023, Mono, 1965).  I swear, you have to turn over every record you find and scan the track listing, even if you think you've done it before.  There's songs to be found everywhere!

7. Skater's Waltz by Lawrence Welk's favorite, Bob Ralston, from his LP 22 All-Time Organ Favorites (RCA Camden CAS-917, Stereo, 1966).  OK, maybe not his favorite, but certainly one of his cohorts.

8. The Angelus by Bob Beck At The Chapel Organ from The Grotto Organs In Reverie (Adon, Oregon Ltd. V8844, Mono). Somebody told me once this was their favorite Christmas song, but I don't remember who that was.  I'm not really familiar with it, I'm afraid.

9. Moonlight In Vermont by The Rainbow Sound Of Bianco, His Harp And Orchestra, from Music For A Summer Evening (RCA Victor Club Record CSP-105, Stereo, 1963).  One of the first records I ever shared out for Christmas was Bianco's Christmas album, in mono.  Thought I was the only person in the world who had that record.  I thought harps for Christmas was the greatest thing ever.  Little did I know the depth and variety of the Christmas world!

10. White Christmas by Steve Lawrence from Steve And Eydie Sing The Golden Hits (ABC Paramount ABCS-311, Stereo, 1960).  Took me many years to find a stereo copy of this one, so now I have to buy it whenever I see it.  I'm trying to to share too many reruns with you this year, but I'm sure it's still more than 50% of my shares.  Maybe not in this post, but in general.

OK, that's it, another day down.  Thanks for coming by!

Zippyshare