Plymouth Rock(s)

I thought I had two different Christmas records to share with you today from the great state of Minnesota, but closer examination revealed that they're the same album, reissued under a different title. One appears to be a record issued for the group that performed it, and the other one seems to be a version put out by a department store. No idea which came first or maybe they both came out at the same time (both have the 1986 date, but that could be a copyright date, independent of the actual release date). It's good music though and it features a handbell choir, so it's got that going for it. Side one is a complete suite of Christmas music especially composed for this release (and I present one of the two records in two different versions, one with the suite intact and one with the suite cut into it's component movements). Don't say I don't give you lots of options here. The other side of the record is unique arrangements of classic Christmas songs arranged by local musicians at the time. I didn't recognize any of the names, but that doesn't mean that none of these artists have name recognition, it's just that they don't perform in a field that I'm overly familiar with. I'm hoping that readers will chime in if there are known performers here. Oh, just remembered another difference between the two records. One of them had an insert sheet that detailed the movements of the specially composed piece. I think I entered a lot more detail into the track tags on that version. Anyhow, I've gone on long enough, let me share the records with you so you can download it and figure out the differences. This is version one of Plymouth Festival Chorus And Orchestra-The Season To Shine (Donaldson's 45379, 1986)

1. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 1-Welcome Yule  
2. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 2-O Hark The Bell's Glad Song  
3. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 3-Beautiful Star  
4. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 4-Le Petit Nouveau Né  
5. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 5-At Christmas Be Merry  
6. Ringeltanze-Christmas Carol Dances-Part 6-The Shepherds All Are Waking  
7. Noel, My Jesus  
8. Gloria  
9. Go Tell It On The Mountain  
10. We Three Kings  
11. Away In A Manger  
12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear  
13. I Wonder As I Wander  
14. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 

MEGA (Cut)

MEGA (Uncut)

And here is the other version if you feel like being a completist, or maybe you like this cover better. It's your choice, only I didn't bother to give you an uncut version of this one. I doubt if it matters very much. This is Plymouth Festival Chorus And Orchestra-A Very Merry Minnesota-Holiday Favorites (Plymouth Music Series PMS 002, Stereo, 1986).

1. Ringeltänze: Christmas Carol-Dances I. Welcome Yule  

2. Ringeltänze: Christmas Carol-Dances II. O Hark The Bell's Glad Song  

3. Ringeltänze: Christmas Carol-Dances III. Beautiful Star  

4. Ringeltanze: Christmas Carol-Dances IV. Le Petit Nouveau Ne  

5. Ringeltanze: Christmas Carol-Dances V. At Christmas Be Merry  

6. Ringeltanze: Christmas Carol-Dances VI. The Shepherds All Are Waking  

7. Noël, My Jesus  

8. Gloria  

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain  

10. We Three Kings  

11. Away In A Manger  

12. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear  

13. I Wonder As I Wander  

14. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 

MEGA