Repertory 5

One last entry into the Kid Stuff Christmas discography for today, but that's not the end of their Christmas stuff, only what I have in the collection that I can find. Turns out I shared something from them way back in 2011 (and then re-encoded it in 2018, where it's still available for download if you really want more of this stuff...) And if you check out their page at Discogs, you'll see a few more Christmas records listed, someday I'll find them and be able to complete the collection. But not today. The only other record from them that you're going to get from me this year is this one: The Kid Stuff Repertory Company-The Story Of Santa's Workshop (Kid Stuff KS157, Stereo, 1978). More spoken word story for you, I hope you enjoy this one, as well as the whole series!

MEGA

Repertory 4

As the sun sets on this, the first night of Chanukah, I've got an appropriate record to share. And as luck would have it, it's part of the series from the Kid Stuff label that I've been sharing out all day. Coincidence, or planning? You'll have to decide that one for yourself. As you light the first candle, this is The Kid Stuff Repertory Company-The Story Of Channukah (Kid Stuff KS173, Stereo). Not sure what year this one came out, and I can't quite figure it out since their catalog numbers don't stick to any pattern for too long, near as I can tell. But like all their stuff, it's most likely between 1976 and 1979. Enjoy!

MEGA

Repertory 2

Time for another installment from the Kid Stuff label, this time a retelling of Dickens' Christmas Carol. I maybe should have shared this earlier in the season when I put up a couple other Christmas Carols, but lots of things here fall into more than just one theme, so I decided it goes here with the other records from the label. These stores seem to be a little more likely to have been recorded special for these releases, but I could be mistaken. It's easier to record a story with a few sound effects than it is to record a whole album of songs with musicians and singers. Give it a listen and tell me what you think. This is The Kid Stuff Repertory Company (AKA The Kid Stuff Singers)-A Christmas Carol (Kid Stuff Records KS090, Stereo, 1978). You know it's a quality label with the name of the artist on the front cover doesn't match the name on the record label. There isn't even any singing on this record... Enjoy, if you can.

MEGA

Advent 2

As promised, I've got another Advent calendar you can start today. I remember finding this one not too long after Christmas last year, knowing it was something I'd be sharing this season. It's a double album in a fancy box with a fold-out calendar and storybook inside where you can follow along as you listen to the stories. It's a nice package and appears to have been available exclusively at Neiman-Marcus stores during the 1977 Christmas season. I suspect most kids didn't care too much about Advent calendars after they saw Star Wars that year, and this couldn't have been too popular. I've never seen another copy, but then I can't think of where there might be a Neiman Marcus store anywhere nearby. Mala Powers wrote and narrated all the vignettes here, she was a popular actress in the 50's and 60's, though to be honest I didn't recognize the name when I bought this. She does a nice job with the stories, some of which are originals, others are adapted from seasonal stories you may be familiar with. You get one a day all the way through Christmas Eve, but nothing for Christmas, sorry. This is Mala Powers-Follow The Star-A Christmas ADVENTure (RCA Special Products 2x12" 33 RPM DML2-0262 for Neiman-Marcus, Stereo, 1977). Enjoy!

1. Follow The Star (Star Window #1)
2. The Advent Wreath (Star Window #2)
3. The Legend Of The First Christmas Tree (Star Window #3)
4. Heart's Desire (Star Window #4)
5. From St. Nicholas To Santa Claus (Star Window #5)
6. The Little Blind Shepherd (Star Window #6)
7. A Candle For Mary (Star Window #7)
8. Christian In Secret (Star Window #8)
9. The Animals' Christmas (Star Window #9)
10. A Gift For Gramps (Star Window #10)
11. The Holy Night (Star Window #11)
12. Felix (Star Window #12)
13. Christmas Customs Around The World (Star Window #13)
14. The Third Lamb (Star Window #14)
15. The Christmas Rose (Star Window #15)
16. A Christmas Gift For The General (Star Window #16)
17. Piccola (Star Window #17)
18. How Santa Claus Found The Poor House (Star Window #18)
19. Gift Of The Earth (Star Window #19)
20. The Robin (Star Window #20)
21. Why The Chimes Rang (Star Window #21)
22. Adventure To Bethlehem (Star Window #22)
23. Don Pedro's Christmas (Star Window #23)
24. The Nativity (Star Window #24)

MEGA

Advent 1

Today is the first of December, and that's the traditional day to begin an Advent calendar. Lucky for you, I've happened across a couple recorded calendars, and I'm happy to share them with you. This first one appears to be a promo sent to radio stations back in 1976. The station would play each recording on their respective day, culminating on the Christmas story itself on the big day. I recommend you do something similar when you listen to it, because listening to them all in a row is pretty boring since they all use the similar theme music. They are nice and short though. This is Derric Johnson's The Re'Generation-Christmas Is... (Impact CI-1176, Stereo, 1976). Enjoy!

1. December 1-Stars In The Window
2. December 2-The Organ Was Broken
3. December 3-The Stolen Statue
4. December 4-No Room
5. December 5-Missionary In A Manger
6. December 6-The Guest
7. December 7-For The Birds
8. December 8-Just One Star
9. December 9-Forgotten Father
10. December 10-Don't Forget
11. December 11-One Solitary Life
12. December 12-His Name
13. December 13-The Borrowed Manger
14. December 14-Just Shepherds
15. December 15-Mistaken Traditions
16. December 16-The Bully And The Baby
17. December 17-The Mother God Chose
18. December 18-The Fullness Of Time
19. December 19-Purpose
20. December 20-Shopping Daze
21. December 21-Go To See
22. December 22-True Wise Men
23. December 23-Becky
24. December 24-Christmas At My House
25. December 25-The Story

MEGA

Christmas Stories Seven

Surprise! I've got another record here for you that fits well under the heading of Christmas Stories. Well, one long story to be precise, and it comes with a couple of interesting surprises. First up, it's performed by Walt Jacobs, though his name is hard to spot anywhere on the record. He's the voice of Santa and everyone else on the record. He wrote the story as well. You might recognize his name from another popular Santa Claus record issued by Capitol in the sixties (which was itself a reissue of an earlier record from the Chicago area that I'd love to get my hands on). And if that provenance isn't enough for you, the album came with a coloring book that I've scanned and included in the download. That way you can color along as you listen to the adventures of Santa and Reporter Dick at the North Pole. That Reporter Dick is a real square, he's not with it at all. This fun record was something that came from Radio Shack back in the day. I miss Radio Shack, but rarely shopped there when they were open. The toys and electronics weren't all that great though they looked cool. But if you needed an electronic part or a battery for something odd, they were the place to go. And the first computers I really had a chance to use and play with were TRS-80 Model 3's in junior high school, so they'll always have a special place in my memories. That's enough yammering from me, how about a download? This is Walt Jacobs as Santa Claus-Christmas With Santa And His Friends (S C Productions/Radio Shack 50-2051, Stereo, 1979).

1. Music Theme: "A Ride With Santa"
2. Santa's Sleigh Picking Up Reporter Dick
3. First Night And Day At Santa's House
4. Santa Gets Lost In The Fog
5. Santa, Reporter Dick And Snowbell Meeting Mr. Winter
6. Music: "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" (Sung By Santa)
7. Trouble In Mrs. Claus' Kitchen
8. Reporter Dick Meets Tidbit, Santa's Mascot Mouse
9. A Mess In The Elves Workshop WIth Santa And The Reporter
10. Music: "Jingle Bells" Sung By Santa And Children
11. Santa And Reporter Dick Singing With Reindeer
12. Santa At Fireplace Telling Stories
13. Mr. Winter Returns With Snowbell
14. Going Sledding At North Pole
15. Reporter Dick Is Rescued By The Polar Bear
16. Music: "Up On The House Top" Sung By Santa
17. Slippery The Elf Plays A Trick On Reporter Dick
18. Santa Gives Reporter Dick A Gift
19. Tidbit Lost In Feather Bed
20. Music: "Deck The Halls"
21. Christmas Eve Morning Is Busy
22. Reporter Dick Going Home For Christmas
23. Music Theme: "A Ride With Santa"

MEGA

Christmas Stories Six

OK, this next record is more just straight spoken word rather than stories, but since I'm throwing everything in here but the kitchen sink today, here it is. This is a series of narrations based on the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of The Church of Christ, Scientist. Oh, and there are also a few sacred hymns on here as well, featuring the Mother Church Organ. It's an interesting artifact to say the least. It's all performed anonymously and spread across a lavish two LPs in a big gatefold with some pages inside. I've recorded and scanned it all for your perusing pleasure. This is Christmas Messages By Mary Baker Eddy With Hymns From The Christian Science Hymnal (The Trustees Under The Will Of Mary Baker G. Eddy 2xLP No Number, Mono, 1965). Enjoy!

1. Christmas, 1900
2. Christmas Morn--Hymn 24
3. What Christmas Means To Me
4. The Cry Of Christmas-tide
5. Hymn 34--Christ Comes Again With Holy Power
6. These Messages Are Continued On The Next Record
7. A Christmas Sermon
8. These Messages Are Continued On The Other Side Of This Record
9. Side Three-A Christmas Sermon Continued
10. A Christmas Sermon Continued
11. Hymn 362--To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born
12. Christmas
13. These Messages Are Continued On The Next Record
14. Side Four
15. The Significance Of Christmas
16. Christmas For The Children
17. Extract From A Christmas Letter
18. Mrs. Eddy's Christmas Message
19. Hymn 170--Let Every Creature Hail The Morn
20. The End

MEGA

Note the Braille letters on the label designed to allow the blind to enjoy the record as well. Only on side of each LP was imprinted this way.

Christmas Stories Five

I'm back with another record for you, again featuring The Christmas Story instead of just Christmas stories. The little bits of the Gospel Christmas are in-between carols sung by a British choir, as the main narrator is a British actor and game show host! I tell you, I find the weirdest things. This is Leslie Crowther and The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-The Christmas Story Told By Leslie Crowther (Saga (England) EROS 8130, Stereo, 1969).

1. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Ding Dong Merrily On High
2. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 1
3. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-In Dulci Jubilo
4. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 2
5. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Dans Cette Etable
6. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 3
7. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Away In A Manger
8. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 4
9. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Shepherd's Cradle Song
10. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Stille Nacht
11. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 5
12. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Joy To The World
13. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 6
14. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Jesu, Sweet Child
15. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 7
16. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-The Twelve Days Of Christmas
17. Leslie Crowther-The Christmas Story-Part 8
18. The Choir Of King Edward VII Upper School, Melton Mowbray-Directed By John Duckworth-Deck The Halls

MEGA

Christmas Stories Four

Up next in our cavalcade of stories today is this one from Philip J. Cartwright. No idea who that is, but he's the second artist of the day with a J for a middle initial. This one is probably more singing than spoken, and the story is the Bible story of Jesus' birth, so it's not at all like the other records I've shared today. But I'm shoehorning it into the theme of today, so please play along. Nice cover though. This is Philip J. Cartwright-The Christmas Story In Scripture And Song (Euterpe Records ER-103, Mono). Enjoy!

1. The Birthday Of The King
2. Cantique De Noel
3. Christmas Eve
4. Sweet Little Jesus Boy
5. There's A Song In The Air
6. Gesu Bambino
7. Out Of The East
8. Silent Night, Holy Night

MEGA

Christmas Stories Three

This is your remaster for the day, even though I just shared this record out for the first time last year. I remember having a lot of trouble getting a good rip at the time, and had to pieces some tracks together from multiple takes. I thought it sounded OK, but when I discovered a second copy in the archives, I went ahead and redid it for you. That happens to me a lot more than I care to admit. I find a record that seems interesting, I record it, then find another copy in the archives that I've had for years and never paid any attention to. Just means I have too many records, I guess. Anyhoo, Paul Reid was a Canadian broadcaster, and this is his take on a number of Christmas tales, most written by him, though there's a long take on Charles Tazewell's The Littlest Angel here as well. So if you want a slightly better version than what I gave you last year, this is Paul Reid-Paul Reid's Christmas & The Littlest Angel (RCA (Canada) KPL1-0077, Stereo, 1974). Enjoy!

1. My Family
2. Christmas Decorations
3. Midnight Mass
4. Mom
5. Dad
6. Tradition Of Christmas
7. The Spirit Of Christmas
8. The Littlest Angel
9. From My House To Your House

MEGA

Christmas Stories One

The theme for today is Christmas Stories, so I'm going to start out with a record entitled Christmas Stories because I'm not very creative. I like to get these types of records out to you early, in case you want to use the spoken word bits as drop-ins on your Christmas collections. I think you might prefer to get some actual Christmas music for your collections, but that's not the way my brain works. These sorts of things require some time and planning, so I like to get them out there early. Songs you can drop in anywhere. Anyhow, we begin with Robert J. Lurtsema-Christmas Stories (Philo 1078, Stereo, 1980). Lurtsema was a classical radio guy from Boston, on the air for almost thirty years. This record comes from near the middle of that time.

1. The Gospel According To Saint Luke
2. Letter From Fra Giovanni To The Contessina, Pont Assieve, Christmas Eve, Anno Domino 1513
3. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
4. Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus
5. Silent Night
6. The Little Match Girl
7. The Gift Of The Magi
8. The Littlest Angel

MEGA

Ebeneezer 2

If one version of A Christmas Carol isn't enough for you, here's a second, musical version, spread out on two long LPs. You know you want to listen to this! Lots of songs sprinkled in here, but I didn't try to cut them out of the narrative. You'll just have to sit and listen to it the way it was intended. This is The Ambrosian Singers And Orchestra-John McCarthy, Musical Director-Scrooge (OmniSound 2XLP N-208/N1018, Stereo, 1978). You might recognize the name of John McCarthy, he's shown up here at least once before.

MEGA

Ebeneezer 1

Everybody loves Dickens' Christmas Carol, and it's been recorded to vinyl more times than you can count. Here's a version that caught my eye this year, though I don't think there's anything special about it. I do enjoy a lot of those spoken-word releases on Camden though, so maybe that's why I paid some attention to it. I found two copies in the archives, with two different back covers, so you'll find both of those in the download. I try to give you a complete package when I can. This is Sir Ralph Richardson, Paul Scofield And Cast-A Christmas Carol (Caedmon TC 1135, Mono, 1960).

MEGA

Artists Artists

I've got one more 45 with Christmas greetings on it for you, but it's not from Detroit, so I've carefully spaced it out to fall in a different day. I hope I'm getting these out early enough to allow you to use them in your Christmas comps. And if you do use any of my shares, I'd love to hear what you did with them. Leave me a comment with a link, or send me an email so we can connect. Always good to hear where my children here end up. Anyhow, this is a great collection of artists who were all recording for United Artists at the time. I was very excited about Ferrante & Teicher, as well as Jimmy McGriff. Lots of other big names here as well, and funny bits from Pat Cooper and Jackie Vernon. This is Season's Greetings From United Artists Artists (United Artists 7" 45 RPM UA 50118 Special 45 RPM Christmas Promo, Not For Sale, Mono, 1966). I love these things, wish I had more of them to share with you.

1. Ferrante & Teicher-Season's Greetings
2. Pat Cooper-Season's Greetings
3. Al Caiola-Season's Greetings
4. Jimmy Roselli-Season's Greetings
5. Jackie Vernon-Season's Greetings
6. Anthony & The Imperials-Season's Greetings
7. Bobby Goldsboro-Season's Greetings
8. Jimmy McGriff-Season's Greetings
9. Del Reeves-Season's Greetings

MEGA

Christmas In The Motor City 4

Still working our way through Detroit as you eat the last of the turkey dinner. I've got another great collection of Motown Christmas greetings here for you, this time from the Seventies. Another great set of artists here, some you know, some you don't (and four out of The Jackson 5!). But you'll still get a kick out of it. This is Season's Greetings From Motown Records (Motown 7" 45 RPM PR 2-2 Not For Sale, Mono, 1973).

1. Walter Gaines-Season's Greetings
2. Smokey Robinson-Season's Greetings
3. Mike Campbell-Season's Greetings
4. Eddie Kendricks-Season's Greetings
5. Thelma Houston-Season's Greetings
6. Gwendolyn Berry-Season's Greetings
7. Karin Patterson-Season's Greetings
8. Willie Hutch-Season's Greetings
9. Michael Jackson-Season's Greetings
10. Jermaine Jackson-Season's Greetings
11. Tito Jackson-Season's Greetings
12. Jackie Jackson-Season's Greetings
13. Edwin Starr-Season's Greetings
14. Stevie Wonder-Season's Greetings

MEGA

Christmas In The Motor City 2

When you think of the music of Detroit, Motown is probably the first label that comes to mind. Nothing beats those singles Motown was putting out in the mid-to late-Sixties, but I wish they didn't have to soundtrack every Vietnam war movie out there. Sure, some of them use some Credence Clearwater Revival, but you know that Martha and The Vandellas are going to show up sooner or later. Anyhow, here's a little bit of non-music from the great label, a handful of Merry Christmas and Season's Greeting clips from 1966. Some big names here, so be sure to sprinkle these tracks liberally around your Christmas comp this year (that's kinda why I'm sharing this so early in the season). This is Seasons Greetings From Motown (Motown 7" 45 RPM 2482/2483, Mono, 1966). Enjoy!

1. Martha Reeves Of Martha & The Vandellas-Season's Greetings
2. Martha Reeves Of Martha & The Vandellas-Season's Greetings
3. Eddie Kendricks Of The Temptations-Season's Greetings
4. Eddie Kendricks Of The Temptations-Season's Greetings
5. Smokey Robinson And Bobby Rogers Of The Miracles-Season's Greetings
6. Smokey Robinson And Bobby Rogers Of The Miracles-Season's Greetings
7. Shorty Long-Season's Greetings
8. Carolyn Gill Of The Velvelettes-Season's Greetings
9. Carolyn Gill Of The Velvelettes-Season's Greetings
10. The Spinners-Season's Greetings
11. The Spinners-Season's Greetings
12. Duke Fakir Of Four Tops-Season's Greetings
13. Duke Fakir Of Four Tops-Season's Greetings
14. The Elgins-Season's Greetings
15. The Elgins-Season's Greetings
16. The Supremes-Season's Greetings
17. The Supremes-Season's Greetings

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 12

Good day, and welcome to part 12! All of the tracks in the pile today are spoken word pieces, so if that sort of thing doesn't float your boat, keep on moving. But I hope you'll download this share and give it a listen. It's by far the longest share of the season as a couple of the pieces are long stories. One of them is even a comedy bit, so it's not as bad as you might think. I remember finding that record at a store that didn't have a Christmas section, and the only Christmas records they had were current Record Store Day reissues at $30 a pop. But a few minutes in the bargain bins yielded this track and made me happy. I hope it does the same for you.

1. Tammy Grimes, Music Composed And Conducted By Don Heckman-Little Grey Rabbit's Christmas
2. E.E. Cummings-Santa Claus, Scene Three
3. Carl Sandburg-How Googler And Gaggler, The Two Christmas Babies, Came Home With Monkey Wrenches
4. Joe Bologna, Rudy Dale, Fred Levinson, Robin Lorring, Bobby Alto, John Lollos, Paul Klein, Tony Garafolo, Charlie Grean-A Christmas Carol
5. Dylan Thomas-A Winter's Tale
6. Robert Frost-An Old Man's Winter Night

And yes, the LP said E.E. Cummings. I guess he didn't loose the upper case letters until later on. Also, I paid way too much for the Little Grey Rabbit record, especially once I realized I had shared it out before. But I didn't want to miss out on something good. Enjoy!

MEGA

Canada RC-eh, Again

Here's another record from the mighty RCA that appears to have only been issued in Canada. It's a spoken word piece, lengthened a bit by what sound to be stock music clips, but it's good stuff. Paul Reid appears to have been a popular radio personality back in the day, and this LP gives you a good Christmas sampling of that voice. I'll also add that this was the one single record that took me the longest to get a good version of this year. There was a nasty radial scratch that caused a whole series of skips that seemed to be unrecoverable for a while. But I recorded it forward and backward a few times, then I was able to piece together a full version that appeared to skip right past all of the skips. I think it sounds just right, but if you have any problems with the way it sounds, I apologize. Having never seen one of these before, and ordering this one from Canada, I didn't think I could just wait around and hope to find another copy. This is Paul Reid's Christmas & The Littlest Angel (RCA Victor (Canada) KPL1-007, Stereo, 1974).

1. My Family
2. Christmas Decorations
3. Midnight Mass
4. Mom
5. Dad
6. Tradition Of Christmas
7. The Spirit Of Christmas
8. The Littlest Angel
9. From My House To Your House

MEGA

Spurred On

I don't think I shared enough Christmas stories with you this year. It's hard to find good spoken word stuff sometimes, and I didn't hunt down very much this year. But I do have this one single that features a story on one side with a related song on the other side. It's the story of Silver Spurs, the unlikely name of a very special elf who can help Santa in ways that others can't.  The Christmas canon is full of characters no one has ever heard of, and this is yet another addition to that group.  Hopefully you'll remember Silver Spur next year when the season rolls around. This is Dr. Dwayne Jorgenson-Narrator, Bill Barber, Jr.-Piano/Celeste & Keith Lester-Vocalist, Steve Barnett-Conductor-Silver Spurs; A Christmas Story b/w Silver Spurs; A Christmas Song (Knollwood 7" 33 RPM 26937, Stereo, 1975). I'm of the opinion that there is a book of some sort associated with this record, but I have no evidence of that. Perhaps one of you little elves can dig that up for me. Thanks!

MEGA

Buck Speaks!

I purchased this next record from the vaults of the estate of the late, great Buck Owens! After he passed away, they found a lot of records in his archives, and they're being sold to collectors like myself who want the original vinyl with cool provenance. Or something like that. I'd never seen this record before, and it's the sort of thing that's right up my alley. It features greetings from Buck and his stable of artists from 1970, including some of his fellow Buckaroo's and his frequent duet partner Susan Raye. I think all of Buck's Christmas music is now out and available wherever fine downloads are sold, so that sort of stuff is off the table, but I'm sure you'll enjoy these holiday greetings. It's not just Christmas, you also get New Year's, Easter, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and even a generic holiday driving message. Artists include Buck Owens, Don Rich, Buddy Alan, Susan Raye, The Hagers, David Frizzell, Tony Booth and Larry Booth. It's quite the selection, 54 tracks in all, though they're very short. This is Merry Christmas/Happy New Year (Buck Owens Enterprises 7" 33 RPM PRO-1, Stereo, 1970).

MEGA