Christmas In July 2020-35

Welcome back! I know why you're here, so I'll jump right in.

1. Dream Toyland by The Babes, another track from The Babes In Toyland (Dream Music Company BIT 91550, Stereo, 1979). This must have been something to see. There was a clipping from my hometown newspaper in the sleeve of this record, with a review of the show from someone who hadn't actually seen the show. Turns out the showing he was headed to got cancelled because the earlier show that day had been poorly attended, and the later show was up against a Kenny Rogers concert. He still had some good things to say about it, but I'm not sure what he based that on.

2. Jingle Bells by Pied Piper from Sing A Song Of Sixpence/Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star (Pied Piper 10" 78 RPM PP-51, Mono). This isn't really by a group or a person called Pied Piper, that's the name of the label that put out this kiddie record. But I had to put a name on there, and I was tired of saying Unknown Artist for everything.

3. Christmas Gifts by an unknown artist from Sing A Song Of Holidays & Seasons (Bowmar Educational Records ?x10" 78 RPM B-1680, Mono, 1959).  See, too many unknown artist tracks around here this season.

4. On A Christmas Night by Richard Robinson from Songs From "Singing Fun" (Bowmar 4x10" 78 RPM 1650/1651/1652/1653, Mono, 1956). You may have noticed that this record and the previous one share a label. I actually found the previous one in the box for this one. I hunted around at the store where I found them both to see if I could complete the set, but no such luck. They probably got misfiled years ago in some classroom somewhere and stayed mixed up until the got donated to Goodwill decades later.

5. A Babe Is Born, again by an unknown artist, this time from Music For The Choral Ensemble Vol. XV-Young Choir Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-3500, Stereo, 1983). This may be the only demo track for the night.

6. There Is No Rose by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). I think this is the last one from the boys of Texas.

7. I Is For An Infant, A Tiny Baby by Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). On the other hand, this is not the last track from this album.

8. The Skater's Waltz by Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Conducted By Armando Aliberti from The Skater's Waltz And Other Favorite Waltzes (Westminster WST 14034, Mono, 1957). Good stuff from the Westminster label.

9. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Morgana King from Everybody Loves Saturday Night (Ascot ALM 13020 (AKA AM 13020) D.J. Copy, originally issued 1959, Mono, 1965). One of the better tracks for today.

10. Winter's Night by Pete Brady from Sing Me A Smile (Moonraker 001, Stereo). I don't think this guy is a member of The Brady Bunch, and I don't believe his label is named after a James Bond film. I do know this is a cover of a Gordon Lightfoot song, even though the title is a bit edited.

11. Holiday For Strings by David Rose And His Orchestra from Holiday For Strings And Other Favorites (RCA Victor LPT 1011, Mono, 1954). This is a different recording from the stereo remake I shared earlier this year. Is this his original recording? I'm not sure.

12. A Star Shall Rise by The St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Dr. Olaf C. Christiansen, Conductor from Twentieth Century Psalms And Hymns/The Birth, Life, Death And Resurrection Of Christ (Mercury SR 60636, Stereo, 1961). Gotta keep an eye out for records that claim to be about the birth of Jesus.

13. Ave Maria, Op. 52, No. 6 by Christopher Lynch, Tenor, With Warner Bass, Organ from Bless This House-The Children's Hour (Columbia Entre RL 3016, Mono). Not sure if this album was recorded as such, or if it was an assembly of tracks from singles.  Doesn't matter, I guess, but sometimes I wonder such things. One of the all-time great Christmas albums, Merry Christmas by Bing Crosby, isn't really anything more than a collection of single tracks.

14. Mary Had A Baby by The Tuskegee Institute Choir, Directed By William L. Dawson from 15 Spirituals (Westminster (ABC) W-9633 (Later reissue), Mono, 1955). Haven't seen the original Westminster issue of this one, but I'm keeping my eyes open.

15. The Marvellous Toy by Tom Paxton from The Marvellous Toy & Other Gallimaufry (Flying Fish FF 408, Stereo, 1986). Not the original recording, but a worthwhile version.

16. Star Of Bethlehem by The Turners Creek Girls from He'll Pilot Me (Sunrise Recordings CR-1015-22587/8, Mono). I'm afraid I have no memory of this one at all.  Looks like some sort of private thing though.  Could be good.

That's another sixteen count night for you.  Hope you enjoy it.  Here's the download, I'll see you tomorrow.

MEGA