Christmas In July 2020-07
Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! And happy Saturday to the rest of you! Hope you're in the mood for some more sorta-Christmas music, because I've got another stack of tracks for you.
1. Our Winter Love by Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra, from his album The Magic Of Robert Maxwell His Harp And Orchestra (Vocalion (Decca, MCA) VL 73858, Stereo, 1965). Not his best, but certainly not his worst.
2. Button Up Your Overcoat by Dan Dailey-Arranged & Conducted By Ernie Felice from Mr. Musical Comedy (Tops L-1598, Mono, 1957). From a budget label, but back when they were trying to record real music from real artists.
3. Toyland by Tony Cabot And His Silver Strings from Romance In Hi-Fi-The Music of Victor Herbert (Promenade N 2053, Mono). Now this is real budget label dreck.
4. Toy Trumpet by Eddie Dunstedter from The Master Makes Melody-Eddie Dunstedter Reminisces (Foremost FML 1003, Mono.1956). From the guy that brought us three great Christmas records later on. Nice find, I think.
5. A Joyful Carol by an unknown artist for Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983). A demo recording for your enjoyment.
6. Snow Deer Polka by Marv Herzog from Marv Herzog's World Of Polkas And Waltzes (Sound Sound-1031, Stereo, 1970). More polka fun!
7. Moonlight In Vermont by Charlie Holden, Piano, With Jack Gilfoy, Drums, And Mike Burk, Bass from Best Regards From Charlie Holden At The Piano/Originals-Rejects, Losers And Other Masterpieces (No Label 27381 (Plain White Sleeve inscribed "Merry Christmas Polly & Charlie 1975"), Stereo, 1975). A real weird one. Very private label.
8. Resonet In Laudibus by The Modern Choir-Directed By Warner Imig from The University Of Colorado And The College Of Music Proudly Present Songs By The Modern Choir (Recorded Publications 32M-32181/32182 (Dedicated to Miss America of 1958, Marilyn Elaine Van Derbur), Mono). There's that Miss America bit again...
9. Carol Of The Drum (Czech Carol) by The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir-Robert G. Hamilton, Director from The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir Sings '61-'62 (Acoustic Arts Recording Studios LP 126 (Philadelphia, PA), Mono, 1962). It's funny, I seem to be grabbing tracks from records I've already shared tracks from. Yet I have hundreds of records to choose from. I need to be more random in my posting.
10. Inverno Furioso (Allegro) Part 1 by Moe Koffman from The Four Seasons (GRT Of Canada 2xLP 9230-1022, Stereo, 1972). Part of Winter, I believe.
11. Dnesny Den Sa Radujme by The Slovakaires, Organ Accompaniment By Sr. M. Eugene Prolop, O.S.F. from Christmas With The Slovakaires (Pav Records PAV 666, Stereo). Christmas music from Slovakia. Where else are you going to get any of that?
12. Deck The Hall by Don Wilson from Christmas Ain't Over Yet! (Or, Yes, Virginia, There Is A Don Wilson!) (No Label RC 108/RC 107 (Side 1 subtitled "Don Wilson's Christmas Record"), Mono). A gift to the blog, and what a gift!
13. Brassmen's Holiday by Claude Gordon And His Orchestra from Claude Gordon Wins By A Landslide (Warner Bros WS 1347, Stereo, 1959). A track written by the great Billy May.
14. Yet We Shall Be Merry by Dave Brubeck Quartet Featuring Bill Smith, Clarinet from The Riddle (Columbia CS 8248, Stereo, 1960). It may not be Christmas music, but the title fits right in.
15. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Starring Warren Covington from The Swingin' Era (Decca DL 78914, Stereo, 1959). I'm not a big fan of the big name bands that kept rolling on after their leader had passed away. But it was a pretty common phenomena.
And that's it for a while. Come back later for another low dose injection of Christmas joy. Here's your download link.
A Don Wilson Christmas record! That's a new one on me, not that these others aren't - but it beats the Slovakaires.
ReplyDeleteDid Polly & Charlie give you that record for Christmas in 1975?
Pretty sure that The King Of Jing-A-Ling shared out the entire Don Wilson record right after Christmas last year. If you're interested...
ReplyDeletePolly gave me nothing! :(
I really enjoyed the Tommy Dorsey track, great lively version! As was the case last year, I have to comment on the demo tracks! This one was quite pleasant. I also agree with your comment about Robert Maxwell. I have his Christmas LP in my collection and can't remember it being as painful as the track you shared in this post. Not his best as you say! My surprise for this post was Dave Brubek's track. Sounds a bit Christmassy! Anyway, thanks again for sharing these rareties!
ReplyDeleteAs I complained in my post, it's not really Tommy Dorsey, it's Warren Covington using Dorsey's name. I guess at the time, there may have been some original members of the band left around, but without it's namesake, how can it really be the same band? :(
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for the comment, I'm just being an old grump. And I don't remember liking Robert Maxwell's Christmas LP much as all. Just a series of dull medleys. It's hard to find anyway, and there's probably a reason for that...
Yeah, I was really referring to the track rather than the band, but I can understand your point of view. I think that you shared the Maxwell album titled "40 All-Time Christmas Favorites" a few years back. My vinyl copy is far from great, and I remember appreciating the work you put into cleaning it up. Here is a link to your post - http://ernienotbert.blogspot.com/2017/11/re-maxwell.html.
ReplyDeleteOh, I shared it, but that doesn't mean it's any good! :)
ReplyDelete