Christmas In July 2026-Part 12

Day twelve, movin' right along... Looks like I've gone heavy on the releases with a large number of Christmas songs today. They're in no way, shape or form bad songs, they're just performed by names that are likely pretty familiar to you by now. We're rapidly approaching the halfway point of the season and many of these artists with a lot of songs will start to fade away as I work my way through them, freeing up the rest of the season for more varied playlists. I figure that's a better approach than throwing them all out there at the end of the month. I guess it probably doesn't matter either way but I live to keep it interesting.

1. Gooding Amusement's German Organ-Jingle Bells (Christmas With The Gooding Band Organ, 1984)

Another nice track performed on the big band organ. And the first of two versions of Jingle Bells I seem to have dropped in today's pile. Sorry about that, I try to avoid it but I don't always pay close enough attention to these things.

2. The Concordia College Choir-Victor Hildner, Director-O Come, All Ye Faithful (The Concordia College Choir, 1956)

More music from this mid-century choir, a period long before Glee popularized such singing on TV and Pitch Perfect glamorized it at the movies.

3. Bowmar Orchestral Library-Overture Miniature (Nutcracker Suite) (Stories In Ballet And Opera)

Like I said, it's wall-to-wall repeat artists today. This one is a library track, likely designed for all your production needs.

4. Hope Publishing Company, Somerset Press, Agape-O Mary Had A Little Boy (The Very Best Sacred Choral Music, 1979)

The only actual sheet-music-sales-demo album in the stack today. There'll be more tomorrow if you like that sort of thing.

5. Kurt Baum-Jingle Bells (Hammond Favorieten Gespeeld Door Kurt Baum, 1973)

My favorite track of the day, which is why I put the LP cover at the top of the post. Our second version of Jingle Bells today, but as performed on a Hammond organ instead of a band organ. I was pretty happy when I pulled this record up and flipped it over.

6. Glenn Yarbrough-We Won't Freeze (We Survived The Madness, 1968)

A good track that I believe actually mentions Christmas in the lyrics. I've shared it before but I don't recall the drab cover. I think this song even made the best-of collection that year if I'm not mistaken.

7. Moira Anderson With Arrangements And Orchestra Conducted By Peter Knight-The Christ-Child's Lullaby (Moira Anderson's Scotland, 1968)

A nice little carol sung with a delightful accent. Another great new find this season.

8. The Arlingtones, Jay Giallombardo-Director, Soloist: R. Hook-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (A Chorus For All Seasons)

More music from the barbershop. Those guys just sing and sing and sing, but I have to wait in line for hours to get a haircut.

9. André Previn With David Rose And His Orchestra-Blue Holiday (The Essential André Previn, 1963)

An oldie but a goodie. I know I've shared this before as released on albums by both Andre and David, but I think this is a different Andre LP than I ripped for you before. I could just be blanking out on the old cover, but I don't remember this one. Thought it might be a new version, but I don't think it is.

10. The Choir Of Leeds Parish Church-Directed By Simon Lindley-Michael Harris, Organ-In The Bleak Mid-Winter (Favourite Hymns And Christmas Carols, 1984)

Bringing up the rear is another track from this fundraising LP. Glad they put this together and that a copy of it made it's way across the pond so I could share it with you here in 2026. It's funny how these things come together. That's all I've got for now, go download some music and try to stay cool. 

MEGA