Harping On Christmas Four

I've saved the best harp record for last, and that's because of some non-harp bits that are stuck into the track listing. Those extra tracks feature percussion instruments, and I think those are the best bits here. The whole collection appears to be a production of a music school in Cleveland, Ohio. Heaven knows how I got my grubby mitts on it, but there it was one day in the collection. This is Festive Christmas (Cleveland Institute Of Music CIM-001, Stereo). Hope you enjoyed this last Super Saturday here before Christmas. Not sure if any of the other Saturdays around here will be super, but at least they should be themed. I don't think I've done enough theme days around here this year. Seems really hard to come up with a large enough set of records to set a theme for the day. Of course some of that's is my fault for not doing enough organizing ahead of time.

1. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Ronald Bishop; Charles Wilkinson, Xylophone; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Jingle Bells
2. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; John Mack And Linda Strommen, Oboes; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Deck The Halls
3. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Bernard Adelstein, Trumpet; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Angels We Have Heard On High
4. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Silent Night
5. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Ronald Bishop, Tube; Charles Wilkinson, Percussion; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
6. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Neapolitan Carol
7. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; David Pierce, Recorder; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Coventry Carol
8. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Percussion Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Sleigh Ride
9. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Up On The Rooftop
10. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble With Members Of The CIM Percussion Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-The Little Drummer Boy
11. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Waldo Fenker, Diane Staub, And Clyde Creamer, French Horns; Ronald Bishop, Tuba; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Joy To The World
12. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-What Child Is This
13. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Harp Ensemble; Janet Alcorn, Soprano; Stephen Geber, Cello; Alice Chalifoux, Director-Christmas Eve
14. The Cleveland Institute Of Music Percussion Ensemble; Alice Chalifoux, Director-The Bells Of Christmas

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Harping On Christmas Three

This time around we feature a harp album that utilizes not one but two harps and harpists. It's double the excitement and double the fun. There were also three info cards in the sleeve alongside the vinyl, each of them identical except for the hand-colored drawing at the top of the sheet featuring a pair of harps (of course). Even the hand drawn bits were remarkably similar, but you could tell each one was a little bit different. I thought those were kind of interesting, so I scanned all three of them and dropped them in the download for you. This is Linda Grieser And Janice Bishop-Holiday Harps (Fellers Electronics/Musicol 103515/103516, Stereo).

1. Christmas Medley For Duo Harps: Hallelujah Chorus; Joy To The World; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; I Wonder As I Wander
2. Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night)
3. Christmas Fantasy: The First Noel; Silent Night; Angels From The Realms Of Glory
4. Ave Maria
5. O Come, All Ye Faithful
6. Sleigh Ride
7. Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabella
8. Gesu Bambino
9. Christmas Chimes; Silver Bells
10. Patapan; Coventry Carol; My Dancing Day
11. Fantasia On Greensleeves
12. Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly

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Harping On Christmas Two

Here's another record that features the music of the harp to celebrate Christmas. Seems a very good fit even if it's difficult to imagine a harp as the lead instrument for any form of music. This is Sally Goodwin-Season's Greetings (Mark MC 6939, Stereo, 1977). I love when the harp is larger than the person playing it.

1. Greensleeves
2. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
3. Lo, How A Rose; Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella
4. Noel Pour La Harpe, Op. 32, #1
5. Noel Pour La Harpe, Op. 32, #3
6. Away In A Manger; Silent Night
7. White Christmas
8. My Favorite Things
9. Fantasy On A Catalan Carol; Fantasy On A Basque Carol
10. Cantique De Noel

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Harping On Christmas One

I know it's supposed to be a Super Saturday around here, but I didn't have a large enough collection to fill the whole day. I shared one collection of stuff this morning and I'll share a second collection this afternoon. Still not going to be a really full day like we've seen before. There are only so many Christmas records in the whole world and I'm running out of them unfortunately. This is second set of records today involves Christmas music on the harp. Every year around here I share a few more, and then comment about how that much be all of them now in the world world but I keep finding that it's not. Let's begin our journey into harp country with this fine album from Bronn Journey-Journey To Bethlehem (Image VII (Canada) VII7804, Stereo, 1986).

1. Joy To The World
2. What Child Is This
3. Away In A Manger
4. Carol Of The Bells
5. Coventry Carol
6. O Come All Ye Faithful
7. Catalan Carol
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. O Holy Night
10. Silent Night

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Greasy Kid Stuff 3

Last record I have for you today on the Kid Stuff label. If you think I'm sharing out a lot of these records today, you should check the archives where I shared out six (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) different releases on this label in the same day! I wish I had that many to share with you today, but there's only so many records to go around out there, and I'm getting to the end of what I can find on some things. There were also a few releases on this label shared out a couple Saturdays ago, but those were licensed character things which means they actually had to pay some money for those. Seems out of character for such a label. Anyhow, this is The Kid Stuff Repertory Company-'Twas The Night Before Christmas (Kid Stuff Records KS 175, Stereo, 1978). Enjoy!

1. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas-Side 1
2. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas-Side 2

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Greasy Kid Stuff 2

Up next from the fine folks at Kid Stuff is this version of The Nutcracker. I'm sure the big draw here was the public domain nature of the material, which means they could record it without paying royalties to anyone. That's always a big consideration for these cheapo releases. Anything they could do for cheap or even free, that's the goal. Sell a few records, make some money, go home for the day. I suppose it was a creed that served them well, but they certainly didn't last too long doing it. But during their time, they put out quite a few records. This one is The Kid Stuff Repertory Company-The Story Of...The Nutcracker (Kid Stuff Records KS 112, Stereo, 1978). Interesting period cover on this one, not sure what the girl is crying about though. I guess because her nutcracker is broken, or because the mouse king is dead. Who knows...

1. The Nutcracker Suite-Side 1
2. The Nutcracker Suite-Side 2

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Greasy Kid Stuff 1

Here's a remaster of something I first shared with you way back in 2011. At the time I thought it was just another Disco Christmas record, I didn't realize it was part of a whole series of weird records on this same label. Have a listen to this updated version of The Kid Stuff Repertory Company-A Disco Christmas (Kid Stuff Records KSD 024, Stereo, 1979). More to come from these guys, stay tuned.

1. Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. Jingle Bells
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
4. Frosty The Snowman
5. Sleigh Ride
6. Jingle Bell Rock
7. White Christmas
8. The Twelve Days Of Christmas

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Blue Ridge

I spent a long weekend with my college buddies this past summer in a small town right next door to Blue Ridge, GA. I don't think that's the Blue Ridge that this band is referring to in their name. They're likely referencing the entire mountain range. But that's what I thought of when I saw the name on this one. That and the fact that they say 'Another', which leads me to believe there might be another Christmas record by them to find. In the meantime, you can download and listen to The Blue Ridge Quartet-Another Christmas With The Blue Ridge Quartet (Mark IV LP 1118, Stereo). I think I picked this one up because of that stock image of a wreath on the cover. I believe I've shared several albums with a very similar image, but I can't think of the name of a single one right now so I can't link to any of them. Maybe it will come to me later.

1. The Christmas Story (Recitation)
2. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. The First Noel
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5. We Three Kings
6. I'll Be Home For Christmas
7. All I Want For Christmas Is You
8. Christmas Island (Instrumental)
9. Toy Train
10. O Come All Ye Faithful

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Flaky Accordions

Well, I was wrong. That last record does not feature a track from all the Snowflake Records releases because I found a release from them that's not represented on the sampler. And what luck, this one features the accordion, and instrument I don't think I've featured so far this year. You know I love to bring you Christmas records that feature unique instruments, and this one fit snugly into that category. Have a listen to Snowflake Records-Christmas Accordians (Snowflake Records ST145, Stereo, 1986). I'm sure Snowflake Records is not the name of the artist here, but I hate to use Unknown Artist. This name sort of ties it to this release instead of making it truly generic. And isn't it spelled accordion, not accordian? Weird...

1. The Christmas Song
2. Silent Night
3. Sleigh Ride
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
5. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
6. Jingle Bells
7. White Christmas
8. Let It Snow
9. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
10. Silver Bells
11. I'll Be Home For Christmas
12. Winter Wonderland

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Spectacular Snowflakes

Here's a nice little label sampler with a bunch of weird artists from a label dedicated to budget holiday releases. Not sure how long the Snowflake label lasted, but they threw up a fairly large Christmas catalog in a short amount of time. I think this record pulls a track from each one of their releases, so it gives you a good taste of what they were all about. This is A Snowflake Christmas Spectacular (Snowflake Records ST137, Stereo, 1989).

1. Pamela Wilson-Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
2. Music Box-White Christmas
3. Golden Chimes-Good King Wenceslas
4. Pan Flute-The Peace Carol
5. Up Beat Music Box-The Twelve Days Of Christmas; Ding Dong Merrily; Bring A Torch Jeanette; O Sanctissima; The Twelve Days Of Christmas Reprise
6. Today's Dance Beat-Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
7. Christmas Sing-Along-Mary's Boy Child
8. Raphael Conducting Symphony Royale Of London-When A Child Is Born
9. Acapulco Brass-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10. Aeolian Organ-Hark The Herald Angels

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The Carrington Event

Does anyone remember Dynasty, the old TV show that used to come on right after Dallas? Wasn't the family name of the main characters on that show Carrington? Doesn't matter I guess, just occurred to me as I was planning this post. What I've got for you here today is both a remaster, an upgrade and a reissue. I first shared a mono version of this record with you in 2010 and I think at some point I lamented not having a stereo copy. Well, guess what I found in the archives? It had probably been there all along, I just didn't know about it. And on top of that, I found a reissue on the Brigade label. I had no good reason to record all these different version, but I think I came across them at different times and wasn't paying attention as I was amassing them. So here are three slightly different versions of the same record for you. This is The Edward Carrington Chorale-Christmas Chorale (Grand Award G.A. 223 S.D., Stereo, 1960) and (Grand Award G.A. 33-387, Mono, 1958) and (Brigade P1223 S, Stereo, 1958). I feel like some of those dates may not be correct now that I look at them. I'm sure the Brigade reissue is later, and I'm not sure if the stereo Grand Award came out at the same time as the mono. I'm not even certain if it's the same recording. I really didn't do my due diligence with this post... (doing a little digging, it appears the stereo versions are edits of the mono versions. So if you want the full experience, go with the mono, but it's up to you.) (You want more of the same? I shared many of these songs earlier this season on a budget label under a different artist name. Go figure...)

1. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
2. Good King Wenceslas
3. Silent Night
4. The First Noel
5. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
7. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
8. O Come All Ye Faithful
9. Oh Holy Night
10. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. Deck The Halls
12. Angels We Have Heard On High
13. Joy To The World
14. Away In A Manger
15. God Give Ye Merry Christmastide
16. Jingle Bells
17. White Christmas
18. Sleigh Ride

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Do They Still Make Saabs?

I promised more non-USA Christmas music yesterday, and here's something else I found in the archives. This one appears to be actual vintage Christmas music, dating all the way back to postwar Germany in 1955. Over the years I've shared plenty of music from those golden years of Christmas music, but non-US releases are still something I need more of. This record certainly scratches that itch. If it sound like something that might scratch your itch, please download and enjoy Svend Saaby Choir-Christmas Everywhere (Polydor (Germany) LPHM 46011, Mono, 1955). Pretty great cover, too!

1. The First Nowell  
2. Maria Auf Dem Berge  
3. O, Sanctissima  
4. Du Grönne, Glitrende Trae  
5. Klang, Min Vackra Bjällra  
6. Quand Dieu Naquit A Noël  
7. Det Kimer Nu Til Julefest  
8. Voici La Noël  
9. Rise Up, Shepherds  
10. Deck The Halls  
11. Entre Le Boeuf Et L'ane Gris  
12. Christkindelwiegenlied  
13. Good King Wencelas  
14. Kommt All Herein, Ihr Engelein  
15. Marche Des Rois  
16. O' Little Town Of Bethlehem  
17. Villancico-Baile De Nadal  
18. Stille Nacht

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Shorb

With less than a week to go until the big day arrives, I've still got a lot of stuff to push out to you. Here's a fun religious album for your early morning listening pleasure. I'm a big fan of these guys' matching jackets, how snazzy are they! I think there's a credit on the back of the sleeve for those. The music isn't bad either, some four-part harmonies and a nice selection of the usual carols. This is The Shorb Brothers-Merry Christmas (Praise Records LPM 3040, Stereo).

1. Joy To The World!
2. Silent Night
3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
4. Good Christian Men, Rejoice!
5. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
6. Do You Hear What I Hear?
7. Go Tell It On The Mountain
8. Angels We Have Heard On High
9. Ring The Bells
10. O Holy Night
11. What Child Is This?
12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

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A Christmas Story

I've said it time and again this season (and I will probably say it again a few more times before the season is over), but I often get excited about the oddest records. I found this one down in Venice, Florida a few months ago at a small thrift store that supported animal adoptions. There's nothing special about it, but I was quite anxious to get it home and give it a listen. Can't explain what it was about the record that intrigued me, but looking at it now I still think it could be something special. It's not, but you won't know that until you download it. Oh, wait, I just spoiled the surprise. Anyhow, I split it into individual tracks as well as a version where the sequences are intact. You choice of download down at the bottom. If you're still interested, this is The Christmas Story (Carillon Record LP 123, Stereo, 1962). The big name on the cover is Ron Nelson, but he just wrote and conducted the piece. I believe this is the inaugural recording and it's been recorded quite a few times since this one. In fact, I think it's still being recorded today, so maybe it's more popular than I give it credit for. And doesn't that Carillon Records label look a lot like the Kapp Records label from the same period? I wonder what the connection is?

1. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Choral Fanfare For Christmas
2. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Praise The Birth
3. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
4. David Laurent, Soloist-Do Not Be Afraid (Baritone Solo)
5. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Glory To God
6. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
7. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Let Us Also Go
8. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
9. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Slumber Now Beloved Child
10. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
11. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Where Is The New Born King
12. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
13. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-In Bethlehem
14. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
15. David Laurent, Soloist-Now Go Forth (Baritone Solo)
16. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
17. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-The Prophecy
18. James O. Barnhill, Narrator-Narration
19. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Now Let Us All Thank Thee, God
20. Brown University Glee Club And Pembroke College Glee Club, Conducted By Ron Nelson-Raymond Rhinehart, Soloist-Te Deum, Opus 57

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The Mighty K-tel!

What else have I got from the great white north that I can share with you today? Hmmm, let me see. Oh, how about this great collection of various artists released on the K-tel label? I didn't even know they had K-tel in Canada (thought Wikipedia tells me it's a Canadian company!). I remember the ads all over TV in the Seventies and early Eighties advertising all the greatest hits on these big K-tel collections. There were plenty of songs that I only knew from the short snippets they played in those commercials, and I could sing them in order. Years later I got my hands on some of those records and realized that many of the records really did contain shorter versions of the songs, though maybe not quite as short as the bits in the commercials. Anyhow, this is Les 20 Plus Grands Souvenirs De Noël (K-tel (Canada) KF-127, Stereo, 1976). Not sure if these versions are abbreviated or not as I'm not familiar with the originals.

1. Fernand Gignac-Sainte Nuit
2. René Simard Et Pierre Lalonde-Le Bonhomme Hiver
3. Paolo Noel-Petit Papa Noel
4. Shirley Théroux-Joyeux Noël
5. Patrick Zabé-Père Noël Arrive Ce Soir
6. Mimi Hétu-L'Enfant Au Tambour
7. Anne Renée-J'ai Vu Maman Embrasser Le Père Noël
8. Renée Martel-Les Enfants Oubliés
9. René Simard-Adeste Fideles
10. Chantal Pary-Glory Alleluia
11. René Simard-Minuit Chrétien
12. Anne Renée-Promenade En Traîneau
13. Fernand Gignac-Ave Maria
14. Michèle Richard-C'est Noël
15. Renée Martel Et Jacques Salvail-Vive Le Vent
16. René Simard-Mon Beau Sapin
17. Johnny Farago-Noël Blanc
18. René Simard-Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant
19. André Sylvain-Noël Sans Toi
20. Mimi Hétu-Le P'Tit Renne Au Nez Rouge

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Fernand Two

If you enjoyed that last post of French-Canadian vocal music, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one as well given that it's a double dose from the same artist. I believe this record collects up tracks from some of his other records in a budget package including some tracks from the share I just shared), but that's fine with me, the more the merrier. It may not be in a language I can understand, but the Christmas spirit comes shining through on these tracks. This is Fernand Gignac-21 Chansons De Noel (Franco Disque (Canada) FR-1455, Stereo, 1971).

1. Noël Blanc; Petit Papa Noël
2. Au Pays De L'Espoir
3. Promenade En Traineau
4. Vive Le Vent; Mon Beau Sapin
5. Sainte Nuit
6. Le Bonhomme Hiver; C'Est L'Hiver
7. Symphonie De Noël
8. Le Petit Renne Au Nez Rouge; Les Etoiles Sourient Pour Noel
9. Ave Maria
10. Le Bonhomme De Neige
11. Ave Maria
12. Merci Noël
13. C'est Noël
14. Joyeux Noël
15. Noël Des Pauvres
16. Le Village De Ste-Bernadette
17. Pot-Pourri De Chansons Folkloriques

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Fernand One

How about we head north of the border for a couple of posts here in the week before Christmas. I've got a couple of records by this French-Canadian singer (and actor) that I think are pretty good. When I first saw these records, I just assumed they were organ recordings, but I was way offbase. These are good vocal records of that Sixties vintage that we all enjoy so much. So I think you'll really get a kick out of Fernand Gignac-Fernand Gignac Chante Noël (Trans-Canada Maximum (Canada) TCM 925, Stereo, 1961).

1. Noël Blanc; Petit Papa Noël
2. Au Pays De L'Espoir
3. Promenade En Traîneau
4. Vive Le Vent; Mon Beau Sapin
5. Sainte Nuit
6. Le Bonhomme Hiver; C'est L'Hiver
7. Symphonie De Noël
8. Le Petit Renne Au Nez Rouge; Les Étoiles Sourient Pour Noël
9. Ave Maria
10. Le Bonhomme De Neige

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Tapiola, Not Tapioca

Is this the first international Christmas record I've shared this year? Shame on me for not getting some of them out sooner. I don't have a whole lot of them this year, but the ones I do have I think are pretty good. Is this the first Christmas record from Finland I've ever shared? I think it is, though I had an album of Finnish music from Detroit a few years ago. I guess there is a community of immigrants that are keeping the traditions of their homeland alive there. But this one is the real thing from the real place. I love to hear Christmas music from faraway places. I may not understand the language, but you can usually pick up on the Christmas spirit in the music. You will also hear familiar themes that have been appropriated into the Western celebration sometimes. And of course there are songs of the season that have become standards performed around the world at this point. It's a much smaller world these days with airplanes moving people and satellites moving information back and forth quickly across the globe. I think it's still going to be long while before we have a global mono-culture, but someday. If you want to add a little Scandinavian spice to your holiday listening, please download and listen to Tapiolan Yhteiskoulun Kuoro (The Tapiola Choir)-Tapiolan Joulu (Christmas In Tapiola) (Finnlevy (Finland) SFLP 8541, Stereo, 1973).

1. Hoosianna (Hosanna)  
2. Jouluevankeliumi (Christmas Gospel)  
3. Enkeli Taivaan (From Heaven Above The Earth I Come)  
4. Jouluyö, Juhlayö (Silent Night, Holy Night)  
5. Maa Ja Taivas Riemuitkaa (Earth And Heaven, Rejoice)  
6. Nyt Syntynyt On Lapsonen (A Child Is Born)  
7. Kuului Laulu Enkelten (Angels We Have Heard On High)  
8. Katso, Ihme Taivainen (Look At The Heavenly Miracle)  
9. Oi Sä Riemuisa (O, How Joyfully)  
10. En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa (I Look For No Power, No Riches)  
11. Arkihuolesi Kaikki Heitä (Now Let's Leave Our Daily Tasks)  
12. Joulun Kellot (Christmas Bells)  
13. Joulukirkkoon (To The Christmas Church)  
14. Kilisee, Kilisee Kulkunen (The Sleigh Bells Jingle)  
15. Koska Meillä On Joulu (Now We Have Christmas)  
16. No, Onkos Tullut Kesä (A Christmas Tree Song)  
17. Maa On Niin Kaunis (Crusader's Hymn) 

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Rebellions Are Built On Hope

I don't know why I get excited about records sometimes, but I do. This one intrigued me for some reason I find difficult to explain. Maybe it's because I've never seen it before, I dunno. I'm sure you won't get as excited for this one as I was, but that's OK. I'm sure there's a person out there who will want to listen to John Corrigan With The Hymns Of Hope Choir & Orchestra-The Miracle Of Christmas (Hymns Of Hope Recordings HH-102, Stereo).

1. The Prophecy I
2. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
3. The Prophecy II
4. Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne
5. The Enunciation
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
7. The Journey
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. His Birth-A Christmas Lullaby
10. The Shepherds And Angels
11. The First Noel; Angels We Have Heard On High
12. The Manger
13. What Child Is This?
14. The Wise Men
15. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
16. The Confirmation
17. Adeste Fideles (AKA O Come All Ye Faithful)

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Not In The Southwest

I almost made a mistake and shared this record with you as part of my trip to New Mexico. I figured Phoenix was close enough, but then I looked at the details and realized this is doesn't have anything to do with the Phoenix in Arizona. These folks appear to be based out of Maryland, so you can't get much further from Arizona than that. Either way, you get to listen to The Phoenix Choir-Fanfare For Christmas (Concept/Music CM 1403, Stereo). Enjoy! Lucky for me, it's not midnight here, I get to stay up for another two hours. :)

1. Fanfare For Christmas
2. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
3. The Little Jesu Of Braga
4. Ihr Kinderlein Kommet
5. Christmas Calypso
6. The Sleigh
7. Some Children See Him
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: Procession
10. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcume Yole
11. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: There Is No Rose
12. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: Balulalow
13. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: As Dew In Aprille
14. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: This Little Babe
15. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: Deo Gracias
16. Selections From Ceremony Of Carols: Recession
17. Silent Night
18. O Come All Ye Faithful

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Still In The Southwest

Since I'm in the American Southwest now, here's a share from a state that's much closer to me at the moment than usual. I've been to Arizona before, mostly while driving through, but I did walk there from Nevada a couple of times. It's right on the other side of the Hoover Dam, so it's not as far of a walk as it may sound. Phoenix, on the other hand, is almost 500 miles away from my current base of operations in Santa Fe, NM. I won't be walking to Arizona on this trip. But enough blathering, the share of the moment is Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus-Christmas Favorites (Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus TABC 505, Stereo, 1980). Enjoy!

1. Joy To The World
2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
3. Angels We Have Heard On High
4. Silent Night (Dearest Baby Jesus)
5. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
6. Carol Of The Bells
7. Deck The Halls
8. Jingle Bell Rock
9. White Christmas
10. Jingle Bells
11. Auld Lang Syne

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Welcome To Santa Fe

If all has gone well today, we're now in our little house that we'll be sharing with my wife's family for the next two weeks. We're hoping to have many adventures and share Christmas together out here in the West. It's a new experience for me, I'm used to wearing shorts and going to the beach for the holiday, instead we'll be bundling up in front of the fireplace and going out wearing multiple layers against the cold. Who knows, we might even get a White Christmas. I'll try to keep you updated here as interesting things happen, and the Christmas posts should keep going right on as if I were slaving away in front of a hot computer monitor. To remind me a little bit of home, here's a remaster in stereo of an album I first shared back in 2005. It was available for digital download for a while, but I think it's gone again. I was really excited to find this stereo copy about three months ago after being on the hunt for twenty years. The sleeve was a regular mono copy, so I'm really glad I checked. This music from tropical Hawaii will surely remind me of my tropical Florida home. This is The Surfers-Christmas From Hawaii (Stereo) (HiFi SR 410, Stereo, 1959). PS-I looked for some Christmas music from Santa Fe and I couldn't find anything. Closest I could find was a single song, Santa From Santa Fe by Lawrence Welk with The Lennon Sisters, and I've shared that with you before.

1. Here Comes Santa In A Red Canoe
2. White Christmas
3. Deck The Halls
4. Mary's Boy Child
5. Hawaiian Santa
6. Adeste Fidelis
7. Come Dance And Sing
8. Jingle Bells
9. Away In A Manger
10. Winter Wonderland
11. Silent Night
12. Meli Kalikimaka
13. Oh Holy Night
14. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

Update: Whoops, had the wrong link in there. Should be better now. Sorry.

Welcome To Texas

I think we'll be in the Dallas airport when this post goes live. We've got a really tight connection for our next flight to Santa Fe. Wish us luck because there's not another flight for us to catch until tomorrow and I don't want to be stuck in Dallas overnight. While we're running from Dallas to Fort Worth, this is The 50 Guitars-Christmas With The 50 Guitars (Holiday/Phoenix HDY-1907, Stereo, 1980), another of the many guitar-centric albums I've shared with you this season. In fact, it may even be the same as another guitar-centric album I've shared already, I didn't check. Shame on me.

1. White Christmas
2. Jingle Bell Rock
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. The First Noel
5. Silent Night
6. The Christmas Song
7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
8. Oh Holy Night
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

MEGA

No Young

Here's a little known semi-solo album from one half of the Sandler & Young duo. I've brought you stuff before by both the duo and Sandler before, but I've never some across anything that features only Ralph Young. I wonder why that is? Tony Sandler was apparently from Belgium which would explain why he was the multi-lingual half of the group. I also read he was fifteen years junior to Ralph. Maybe that explains why there is much less solo Ralph out there in the world. Anyhow, this is a good Christmas album he released later in his career alongside some singing sisters. This is Tony Sandler With The Saint Cecilia Chorale-The True Spirit Of Christmas (Mimisan Production MPI 1002, Stereo, 1985). I wound up with two copies of this album, one of which was autographed. I put scans in there of both, so you can have your autograph and eat it, too, whatever that means.

1. Oh Holy Night  
2. Dormi  
3. Silent Night  
4. Young King  
5. Sanctus  
6. Adeste Fideles  
7. Out Of The East  
8. Jesu Bambino  
9. What Can I Give Him  
10. Panis Angelicus

MEGA