A Long Time, Part 5

 Last but not least, I have the biggest entry in the whole series. There wasn't much on the box that housed the three records in this set, but I was finally able to piece it together. There's no date on this one but I'm guessing sometime in the seventies because of the stylized LS on the package. They seem to have dropped the Longines from the packaging for some reason, and there's not really any artist credit anywhere. But when you start to listen, you'll know exactly who and what this is. And there's six sides of it, so settle down with some cold eggnog and enjoy! This is The Longines Symphonette-Sounds Of Christmas (The Longines Symphonette Society 3xLP SQ 95834, Stereo). Hope you've enjoyed all the music from these folks, I know I did. Wish I hadn't poo-poo'd them for so long.

1. Silver Bells
2. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
4. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
5. March Of The Toys
6. The First Noel
7. Joy To The World
8. Medley-The Holly And The Ivy; O Christmas Tree
9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
10. O Come All Ye Faithful
11. Let's Have An Old Fashioned Christmas
12. I'll Be Home For Christmas
13. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
14. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
15. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
16. Toyland
17. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
18. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
19. The Little Drummer Boy
20. Good King Wenceslas
21. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
22. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
23. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
24. Away In A Manger
25. Medley-We Wish You A Merry Christmas; I Saw Three Ships; Christmas Is Coming
26. Ave Maria
27. For Unto Us A Child Is Born
28. Winter Wonderland
29. O Come, O Come, Emanuel
30. Jolly Old St. Nicholas
31. Medley-Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly; Wassail, Song
32. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
33. Mister Santa
34. Frosty The Snowman
35. An Old Fashioned Christmas
36. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
37. Silent Night

MEGA

A Long Time, Part 4

This is the first of the Longines Symphonette records for which I did not find a date. I guess when you keep releasing the same recordings over and over again, you don't want to put a date on anything. That makes it easier to hide what you're up to. I can't stay mad at these guys for their underhanded business practices though when the music is so good. There's plenty here to enjoy, so much so that you won't mind hearing some of the tracks more than once. But as I mentioned before, you can always narrow down the pile by deleting some of the duplicate songs if you like. First you have to download it though. This is The Longines Symphonette-Christmas Memories (The Longines Symphonette Society For Capitol Record Club 2xLP SQBO-92014, Stereo). Whoops, almost forgot to mention this this is the only entry in the series that was produced for the Capitol Record Club. You know, one of those record clubs where you got 10 records for a penny, but then you had to buy ten more at the 'regular' (highly-inflated) price. I got into a couple of those clubs in college and it took me a long time to get out. I'm sure I wound up paying too much money for those CDs I got from them. Took me longer to pay them off than to pay off my student loans.

1. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
2. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
3. Frosty The Snow Man
4. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
7. Good Christian Men, Rejoice
8. O Holy Night
9. March Of The Kings
10. O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. The Little Drummer Boy
12. Joy To The World
13. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
14. The First Noel
15. Christmas Is Coming
16. Home For The Holidays
17. Sleigh Ride
18. Good King Wenceslas
19. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
20. We Wish You A Merry Christmas

MEGA

A Long Time, Part 3

Thirdly today we get The Longines Symphonette-Home For The Holidays (The Longines Symphonette Society 2xLP SY 5412/5413, Stereo, 1972). Notice that this is the Special Christmas Edition, as opposed to the non-Christmas edition, which I guess wouldn't have all the Christmas songs on it. But would the title be the same? Would it still have that Christmas scene on the front cover? These are hard questions to answer. Enjoy!

1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
4. The Toy Trumpet
5. Home For The Holidays
6. Medley-Foom Foom Foom; Patapan
7. Whence Comes This Rush Of Wings
8. O Come, O Come Emanuel
9. Medley-Boar's Head Carol; Here We Come A-Wassailing
10. Glory To God
11. Scarlet Ribbons
12. Lullay Lullay Thou Little Tiny Child
13. O Come Little Children
14. Adoramus Te
15. Break Forth O Beauteous Light
16. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
17. O Sanctissima
18. Medley-Oxen & Sheep; Infant So Gentle; Rocking
19. Beautiful Savior
20. Silent Night

MEGA

A Long Time, Part 2

Next up in today's march of records put out by The Longines Symphonette is Shell's Wonderful World Of Music Volume II-Special Christmas Edition (The Longines Symphonette Society 2xLP LWSH-7/8, Stereo, 1971). I actually determined that another record in the collection was a duplicate of this one released under a different name. For many years I assumed all the records I had from the Longines Symphonette contained the same music, but I was wrong. Near as I could tell, these two were the only exact duplicates. I've dropped all the scans of both records in the download and I'll put both album covers here in the post. The second one was titled Christmas At Home, just for the search engines. And Fisher Fazio, what was that, some kind of grocery store?

1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2. Away In A Manger
3. Babes In Toyland
4. What Child Is This
5. Let It Snow, Let It Snow
6. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. O Holy Night
9. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
10. Silver Bells
11. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
12. Ave Maria (Schubert)
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
14. I'll Be Home For Christmas
15. The First Noel
16. White Christmas
17. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
18. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
19. Joy To The World
20. Silent Night

MEGA

A Long Time, Part 1

I've been ignoring these records from The Longines Symphonette in my collection for a long time, but this year I decided to do something about it. And I'm glad I did because it's pretty good music. I've got quite a few of these records to share with you today, but I don't have a complete collection, not by a long shot. And what I do have features a lot of repetition between sets. I don't there any records being shared today that are completely superfluous, but there is a lot of overlap. So be mindful of that and feel free to purge some of the songs that you wind up with more than once, I won't mind. I don't have dates for all of these releases, but I'll start with the earliest one I have a date for, 1965. No idea if this was recorded then or ten years earlier, there's just no way to tell. Anyhow, this is the first in a series today, and there will be more to come, I promise, Please enjoy The Longines Symphonette-Music For Christmas At Home (The Longines Symphonette Society 2xLP LW 192/193, Mono, 1965). This is the only one that I determined was in mono, though I could be mistaken about any of the others. Some of these things I was rushing to get though and didn't do my proper diligence. Did I mention they are all quite long? Twenty songs spread out over four sides, this'll keep you busy for a couple of minutes.

1. I'll Be Home For Christmas
2. The Christmas Song
3. Babes In Toyland
4. The Little Drummer Boy
5. White Christmas
6. The First Noel
7. The Twelve Days Of Christmas
8. O Holy Night
9. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
11. Joy To The World
12. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies
13. Good King Wenceslas
14. Away In A Manger
15. Medley-We Wish You A Merry Christmas; I Saw Three Ships; Christmas Is Coming
16. Silent Night
17. Medley-Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly; Jingle Bells
18. Ave Maria
19. We Three Kings Of Orient Are
20. Oh! Come All Ye Faithful

MEGA

Even Dead I'm The Hero

I remember buying this record from a really tiny thrift store on the side of the road. It's was kind of a scary place with little to no organization and no customers other than me. I was just south of Orlando for some work stuff and was trying to find places to dig for records, so Google Maps had taken me there. I didn't think I was going to find anything until this record popped up near the end of my search. I don't think I found anything else that day, but at least I didn't come home empty handed. It's an interesting record, but I don't know much about it. Pretty sure it's just designed to sell you some sheet music, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you're feeling adventurous, please give a listen to Edith Norberg And The Carillon Choristers-Children, Sing Of Christmas (Augsburg Publishing House 23-1455, Stereo, 1974). Not sure why they're called The Carillon Choristers, I don't hear a carillon. Kind of wish I did, that would make it a bit more exciting.

1. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
2. Hark, Now, O Shepherds
3. Come To The Manger
4. Madonna's Lullaby
5. Go, Tell It On The Mountain
6. Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We
7. The Snow Lay On The Ground
8. Antiphonal Carol: Bavarian Carol and Von Himmel Hoch
9. Little Bull
10. Children's Prayer
11. Patapan
12. Away In A Manger
13. A Child's Christmas Gospel: O Little Town Of Bethlehem; In Dulci Jubilo; The First Noel

MEGA

Why San Diego?

I've brought you Christmas records from many places over the years, but I don't think we've ever visited San Diego. Why would anyone care about Christmas in San Diego? I don't know really. Sometimes I just find Christmas records from weird places or sometimes I think they find me. Not the best cover on this one, I think they were trying to save some money with the black and white photos so it's not the most appealing of packages. The music is nice though. I'm sure you'll enjoy Christmas In San Diego (Redletter Record Release RRR SA-103, Stereo, 1986).

1. Alan Weckler-Christmas In San Diego
2. Ellen Lawson-International Medley I: Fum, Fum, Fum; Rise Up Shepherd; Sing, Oh Sing; Down In Yon Forest; Patapan
3. San Diego Civic Chorale-Behold A Star
4. Calman Hart-San Diego Christmas Eve
5. Ellen Lawson-O Holy Night
6. John Padilla & Mike Harris-Little Drummer Boy
7. Ellen Lawson-International Medley II: Bring A Torch; Cradle Hymn; Go Tell It On The Mountain; Exultation; What Child Is This
8. San Diego Civic Chorale-Mary Had A Baby
9. Mary Marle Schumacher-Twas The Night Before Christmas
10. Ellen Lawson-Just How Much It Brings...Christmas Day

MEGA

Happy Birthday

Here's one for all the folks who's birthday falls near Christmas. I'm afraid I don't feel your pain because my birthday falls exactly halfway between one Christmas and the next, but maybe having your own record will make you feel better. This is Em Benedict-Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas-A Christmas Cantata For Junior Choir (Manna Records MS-2029, Stereo, 1976). The B-side is instrumental versions so you can perform the vocals yourself. Enjoy!

1. There Never Was A Christmas Day
2. Narration
3. Jesus Is Born
4. Narration
5. Shepherd Boy
6. Narration
7. And This Shall Be A Sign
8. Narration
9. Christmas Bells
10. Narration
11. The Miracle
12. Narration
13. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
14. Narration
15. You Ask Me Why
16. Narration
17. Happy Birthday Merry Christmas
18. There Never Was A Christmas Day [Instrumental]
19. Jesus Is Born [Instrumental]
20. Shepherd Boy [Instrumental]
21. And This Shall Be A Sign [Instrumental]
22. Christmas Bells [Instrumental]
23. The Miracle [Instrumental]
24. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S [Instrumental]
25. You Ask Me Why [Instrumental]
26. Happy Birthday Merry Christmas [Instrumental]

MEGA

Handbells, Finally

You probably thought I wouldn't get you any music with handbells this season, and I can see why you'd think that, but you'd be wrong. Here is the long awaited album featuring everyone's favorite bells rung by hand. This is The Holiday Handbell Choir Featuring The Golden Harp Strings-Christmas Bells (Classic Christmas CCR 1940, Stereo, 1979). It may be a budget label, but it's still good. Enjoy!

1. The Bells Of St. Mary
2. Away In A Manger
3. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
4. Silent Night
5. Deck The Halls
6. What Child Is This
7. O Holy Night
8. Gesu, Bambino
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
10. Ave Maria
11. Go Tell It On The Mountain

MEGA

Sax Attacks

I don't think I've shared a sax-centric Christmas LP with you this year, or ever for that matter. I'm probably missing something because I've shared a lot of music around these parts over the past twenty years. But if I haven't, I'm certainly sharing one now. I didn't know who Mike Shannon was, but I was clued in by the fact that this record mentioned Christy Lane on the spine. I'm guessing that was a printing error but it turned out that Mike was the sax man for Lane for many years. It's a good LP an I'm sure you'll enjoy it.  Certainly not loud or raunchy, but very much in the same vein as Lane's music. This is Mike Shannon-Christmas Classics With The Golden Sax (LS Records LS-1990, Stereo, 1987).

1. Jingle Bells
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. The First Noel
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5. It's My Favorite Time Of The Year
6. Away In The Manger
7. Up On The House Top
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Jolly Old St. Nick
10. Joy To The World
11. Oh Christmas Tree
12. This Is Christmas (Tell The Story)

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The Mick Three (& Boggs)

I didn't realize I had a third Paul Mickelson until I got to looking around and realized he backed up Frank Boggs on this stereo remaster I had ready to go for you. I first shared out a mono copy of this record back in 2023 (so not that long ago...), but I recently found this stereo version in the archives and wanted to upgrade the share. And the fact that Paul Mickelson conducts the orchestra here makes this a double whammy. Please be my guest and download Frank Boggs With The Concert Orchestra Of London Conducted By Paul Mickelson-Love Came Down At Christmas (Word WST-8080-LP, Stereo, 1961). More Frank Boggs here if you're interested.

1. A King Is Born: O Come, All Ye Faithful; The First Noel; We Three Kings
2. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
3. Once In Royal David's City
4. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
5. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head
6. The Birthday Of A King
7. Love Came Down At Christmas
8. O Holy Night
9. What Child Is This
10. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
11. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
12. Medley Of Carols: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Silent Night; Joy To The World

MEGA

The Mick Two

Here's another good one from Paul Mickelson, and it's very different from the last one. This time he's leading an orchestra and a choir. Perhaps that will be of more interest to you than the solo organ on the last one. Give it a listen and see what you think. This is The Paul Mickelson Choir & Orchestra-The Best Of Christmas (Supreme Productions SLP-403, Stereo).

1. Festival Of Carols: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; The First Noel; Carols Of The Bells; It Came Upon The Midnight Clear; Joy To The World
2. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. We Three Kings
4. Christmas Candle
5. Gloria In Excelsis Deo
6. O Holy Night
7. Fantasy Of The Sleigh Bells: Jingle Bells; Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer; Sleigh Ride
8. Away In The Manger
9. Deck The Halls
10. White Christmas
11. Silent Night
12. O Come All Ye Faithful

MEGA

The Mick One

You may be familiar with Paul Mickelson as a arranger and conductor on many, many religious records from the late fifties into the seventies (at least). I think he was second only to Ralph Carmichael in the number of albums that bear his name in one capacity or another. I'm pretty sure I've even shared Christmas album by him before here at the blog. But today I've got two new ones that he put out with very different performances. This first record features Paul at the organ, an instrument he frequently played. It's not the most exciting organ record in the world, but it's still a good one. Have a go at Paul Mickelson-Paul Mickelson In A Christmas Concert At The Console (Console Records/Supreme CM-5005, Mono). Keep it right here on this channel for more!

1. Joy To The World
2. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
5. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
6. O Holy Night (Cantique De Noel)
7. The First Noel
8. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree)
9. Away In A Manger
10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. Silent Night
12. O Come All Ye Faithful

MEGA