Season's Greetings At 78 RPM

So far this season I've shared about a million singles on 7" 45 RPM records as well as a handful of 7" records that spin at 33 RPM. But in the long and sordid history of the format wars, there's at least one more speed that I need to share and that's the little records that spin at 78 RPM. I wish I had seventy eight different sides to share with you as I've done with the other speeds, but all I had handy were these three records, two of them on beautiful red shellac. And they're nothing special, though the Capitol greetings from 1948 is kinda nice. I don't know how often you'll want to listen to Adlai H. Rust extol the virtues of State Farm Insurance, but maybe. I've seen a lot of these 7" 78 RPM records in red on eBay and such places for a large variety of different companies. I guess there was a record company out there that made a specialty of pressing them up for people on the cheap. They all seem to be from the late 40's to the mid-50's, right after the introduction of the microgroove records, so I'm guessing they were able to use some of the leftover infrastructure from the manufacturing of the 78s as it slowly became worthless. I know that the 78 format remained popular with kiddie records up into the 60s, possibly for the same reason, they were cheap to make on the old equipment! (For what it's worth, yes, I do have some 7" records that spin at 16-2/3 RPM. It's a set of maybe ten records that tells you all about the different cults so you knew what to look out for in the wide world of religions that might be different that yours. I think there are sides devoted to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. It was the Sixties and mid-America wasn't big on diversity. They spin really slowly and that's all that matters for this post.)

1. Adlai H. Rust And The State Farm Chorus-1954 Merry Christmas
2. Adlai H. Rust And The State Farm Chorus-Happy New Year 1955
3. Adlai H. Rust And The State Farm Chorus-1955 Merry Christmas
4. Adlai H. Rust And The State Farm Chorus-Happy New Year 1956
5. The Starlighters-Season's Greetings From Capitol 1948-Part 1
6. The Starlighters-Season's Greetings From Capitol 1948-Part 2

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The Ten Inchers Of Christmas-Part VIII

This next 10" record may look like the last one, but it's not. I think it was just put out by the same company using the same stock cover design. It's also pressed on fragile shellac but has survived in much better shape than the last one after all these years. I also realized that I shared this one back in 2010 but had forgotten all about it. That happens a lot as you can imagine. Right this second I can't remember what I shared yesterday. Good thing I have a blog and Google to keep track of it all. Anyhow, this is a remaster so it should sound better than ever. Have a download and a listen to Songs Of The Season 1960 (First Federal Savings And Loan Association Of East Chicago, Indiana 10" 33 RPM Shellac, 4628/4629, Mono, 1960). Oh, this is also from a small town in the Chicago area. Small world.

1. Standard Oil Torchlighters-Jerome Ramsfield, Director-Donald Miller, Accompanist-Break Forth O Beauteous, Heavenly Light
2. St. Luke's Lutheran Adult Choir-Peg Whitaker, Director-Yvonne Taylor, Organist-The First Noel
3. St. Luke's Luther Children's Choir-Margery Miller, Director-Yvonne Taylor, Organist-Dianne Miller, Soloist-Silent Night
4. St. Stanislaus Boys' Choir-Julius Maciulis, Director-Wesola, Nowine Brachia Sluchajcie (Polish Carol)
5. St. Stanislaus Mixed Choir-Julius Maciulis, Director-Tryumfy Krola Niebieskiego (Polish Carol)
6. Rabbi Ulrich Steur, Narrator-Mrs. Walter Hathaway, Organist-Richard Lewke, Soloist-Hanukkah Explanation-Jewish Traditional Selection & Rock Of Ages
7. St. Thomas More Girls Choir-Sr. Regis, Director-O Come, O Come, Immanuel
8. St. Thomas More Girls Choir-Sr. Regis, Director-Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
9. St. Thomas More Adult Choir-John A. Linders, Director-Kathy Berthold, Organist-Gloria From The Midnight Mass
10. Purdue University (Cal. Ext.) Mixed Choir-David E. Simpson, Director-Oh Holy Night
11. Purdue University (Cal. Ext.) Mixed Choir-David E. Simpson, Director-Carol Of The Bells
12. First Christian Reformed Church Choir Of Munster-Mrs. E. Bossenbroek, Director-Mr. J. Van Wieren, Organist-Mrs. J. Van Wieren, Pianist-Good Christian Men Rejoice
13. Standard Oil Torchlighters-Jerome Ramsfield, Director-Donald Miller, Accompanist-Angels We Have Heard On High

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There's a Chanukah track on here, so I guess this counts as your Chanukah entry of the day. :)

The Ten Inchers Of Christmas-Part VII

This next 10" record comes from the same small city outside Chicago as the last one, it's just from a year later. Not sure if I found the two of them together, but most likely I did. If there was anyone left in town that didn't get their name on that last record, then they're probably listed on the back of this one. Unfortunately, because this record was pressed on shellac instead of vinyl, there was a crack in this one that went from the outside edge all the way to the label.  Every time it went around I got a loud click, and frequently a skip. I used an older needle of mine that's not as sensitive to the fluctuations of the groove (and in theory can stand up to more abuse), but it still clicked and skipped. I eventually had to put tape on either side of the track I wanted to try and make the crack as flat as possible, and after several hours of trying, I got a good rip for you. You might still hear the clicks every 0.77 seconds, but I think I got all the skips out of there. I may have had to try playing this one at different speeds and backwards, I don't remember now. It was such an unpleasant experience that I've tried to block the memory of it all. I know it was several attempts separated by months. Anyhow, you might not even notice but I wanted you to know how far I go sometimes to share these things with you. This is Western Springs Sings Christmas-1960 (Galewood Records for Western Springs Savings And Loan Association 10" 33 RPM Shellac, No Number, Mono, 1960).

1. Kindergarten, Laidlaw School-Mrs. L. Frederick, Instructor-Jingle Bells
2. Third And Fourth Grades, Grand Avenue School-Brabara Crain, Director-Mrs. L. Georges And Mrs. M. Ulrich, Instructors-What Child Is This?
3. Community Church Of The Highlands-Dorothy Luedtke, Director-Maude Knopf, Accompanist-What Child Is This?
4. The Junior Choir Of Grace Lutheran Church-Harold P. Wukasch, Director And Accompanist-O Holy Night
5. All Saints Episcopal Choir-Miles Snyder, Director-To Us Is Born Emmanuel
6. Western Springs Music Club Ensemble-Medley From Messiah
7. Presbyterian Church Of Western Springs Choir-Joanne Teninga, Director-O Come, O Come Emmanuel
8. Western Springs Christian Reformed Church Choir-Reverend Arthur H. DeKruyter, Director-Emaline Van Farowe, Accompanist-Silent Night
9. Eighth Grade Chorus, McClure School-John Sutko, Director-Gwen Boyer, Accomopanist-Carol Of The Drum
10. First Grades, Forest Hills School-Barbara Crain, Director-Mrs. D. Duffy And Mrs. M. White, Instructors-Sleep Little Baby Jesus
11. Fourth, Fifth And Sixth Grades, Field Park School-Barbara Crain, Director-Mrs. I. McCarthy, Mrs. C. Ioas And Mr. E. Johnson, Instructors-March Of The Three Kings
12. Martha Myers, Soloist-Nina Bell Hull, Accompanist-He Shall Feed His Flock
13. Lyons Townshop High School Combined Choruses And Orchestra-Fred D. Lawler, Donald L. Miller And Judith Riemenschneider, Directors-Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah)

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The Ten Inchers Of Christmas-Part VI

From France we head back to the US and a suburb of Chicago. From the list of participants on the back of this 10" record, it seems as if everyone in town had a part in making the sounds on this record. This is Western Springs Sings Christmas-1959 (Western Springs Savings & Loan Association 10" 33 RPM Shellac, No Number, Mono, 1959). Oddly enough, this record is pressed on shellac, the older brittle material that most 78s were made of back in the day. (Albums and singles have been made of vinyl since their introduction in the late forties, and some earlier 78s and transcription discs had been pressed on it as well.) But the groove is designed to be played with a standard microgroove needle at 33 RPM. It's a hybrid, I guess, between the old and the new.

1. Regina Music Box Courtesy Of George Zelnick-Silent Night
2. Third Grade, Franklin School-Phyllis Foster, Director-We Wish You A Merry Christmas
3. First Congregational Church-Eugene F. Dressler, Director-Nina Belle Hull, Accompanist-Sing We The Virgin Mary
4. The Villagers-Nina Belle Hull, Accompanist-Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
5. The McClure Seventh Grade Chorus-John Satko, Director-Mrs. W.D. Arant, Accompanist-Carol Of The Bells
6. First Grade, Franklin School-Phyllis Foster, Director-Winds Through The Olive Trees
7. Baptist Church-Marybelle Robinson, Director-Margaret St. Germain, Accompanist-While Shepherds Watch
8. Lyons Township High School North Campus Band-Harold N. Hilgendorf, Director-Christmas Medley
9. Upper Grades Chorus, Laidlaw School-Phyllis Foster, Director-Fum, Fum, Fum
10. Q Suburban Barbershop Chapter-Robert Fraser, Director-O Come All Ye Faithful
11. Saint Cletus Boys' Choir-Raymond S. Kaufman, Director-See Amid The Winter's Snow
12. First Methodist Church-Fred D. Lawler, Director-Mrs. John Hicks, Accompanist-Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
13. Robert Gooding, Soloist-Nina Belle Hull, Accompanist-Sweet Little Jesus Boy
14. First Congregational Church-Eugene F. Dressler, Director-We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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2022 At 78 RPM-Part 53-Part 2

And here we are, end of the line for this series. It's been a long time since we started it on the first of January this year. Appropriate that it ends on the last day of December. We squeezed in 53 weeks, plus a handful of special collections here in December. It wound up being more music than I shared out during the 2020 season when all I shared was music from old 78s. I didn't think I'd be able to find that much music, and while there is some overlap, it's mostly new stuff that I didn't share back then. It's an amazing collection of music, with stuff from over 100 years ago, right up through the golden age of Christmas music in the early 50's. I've found lots of new favorites and I hope you have as well. Big thanks to all the people who've stopped by during the year, and double thanks to the folks who left a comment or two. Before I wrap it up, I need to once again mention that I don't own any of the 78s I've shared this year. They've all been downloaded from The Internet Archive and their Great 78 Project. Give them a look when you get a chance, it's a great collection of music and I've only shared a tiny sliver of it here with you. I don't have much else to say, or I'm going to get emotional. Thanks again for stopping by!

1. John Nesbitt, Narration With Choir-A Christmas Gift (The Story Of The Juggler Of Our Lady)
2. Stevie Adams-Age 7-A Trip To Santa's Workshop (Side 1)
3. Voice-Martha Engler, Piano-Esther Smith-An Austrian Christmas-Part I
4. Rosemary Clooney-Christmas Seals Intro
5. The Young Marimba Merrymakers-Holiday Medley (Jingle Bells-Auld Lang Syne)
6. Herb George With Alfredo Antonini Orchestra-It's Christmas
7. Isham Jones And His Orchestra-Vocal Refrain By Frank Sylvano-It's Winter Again (Es Invierno Otra Vez)
8. Faye Parker And Billy Hinds And Jack Purcell & Orchestra-Jo Jo The Jolly Christmas Tree
9. Staś Jaworski-Irena Koscinska-Chór I Orkiestra-W. Dana-Lulajze Jezuniu-Koleda (Sleep Little Jesus)
10. Judy Garland Accompanied By Georgie Stoll And The M-G-M Studio Orchestra-Merry Christmas (From The M-G-M Technicolor Picture "In The Good Old Summertime")
11. Decca Little Symphony Orchestra-Conducted By Alexander Smallens-Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a: Ouverture Miniature
12. Judge Sturdy's Orchestra-One Snowy Night-Quadrille
13. Percy Hemus, Accompaniment By Victor Orchestra-Ring Out, Wild Bells (Christmas Song)
14. Mal Hallett And His Orchestra-Vocal Chorus By Jerry Perkins-Roses In December (From R.K.O. Radio Picture "Life Of The Party")
15. Ruby Wright With Orchestra-Santa's Little Sleigh Bells
16. Jerry Vale-Bill McCune And Orchestra-Scattered Toys
17. Merrill E. Joels-The Tin Soldier
18. Trudy Richards-Orchestra Conducted By Joe Lipman-The Winter Waltz (Adapted From "The Skaters-Waltz")
19. Walter Myers Jr.-Chairman Speakers Bureau-Marion City Tuberculosis Association-Xmas Seal Talk
20. John Nesbitt, Narration With Choir-A Christmas Gift (The Story Of The Juggler Of Our Lady)
21. Stevie Adams-Age 7-A Trip To Santa's Workshop (Side 2)
22. Voice-Martha Engler, Piano-Esther Smith-An Austrian Christmas-Part II
23. Westminster Choir-John Finley Williamson, Conductor-Carol Of The Bells (Ukranian Christmas Carol)
24. Al Nobel With Martinaires Quintet And Jack Purcell & Orchestra-Christmas Moon
25. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Count Your Blessings
26. Criterion Quartet-Male Quartet With Brass Choir-Day Of The Lord (A Carol Scene)
27. Eddy Howard And His Orchestra-Dearest Santa
28. Jimmy Blades-Chimes, Charles Smart-Organ-From Every Spire On Christmas Eve
29. Staś Jaworski-Chór I Orkiestra W. Dana-Gdy Sie Chrystus Rodzi-Koleda (When Christ Is Born)
30. Jimmy Blades-Chimes, Charles Smart-Organ-God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
31. Rosemary Clooney With Paul Weston And His Orchestra-Happy Christmas, Little Friend (The Official 1953 Christmas Seal Sale Song)
32. Charles Smart-Organ, Jimmy Blades-Chimes-It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
33. Teddy Petersen Og Hans Koncert Orkester-Julefantasi-Anden Del
34. Emile H. Vendette, Carillon Oratoire St-Joseph, Montreal, Canada-Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (Angels We Have Heard On High)
35. John Scott Trotter And His Orchestra-March Of The Toys (From Operetta "Babes In Toyland")
36. The Four Lads With Ray Ellis And His Orchestra-Mary's Little Boy Chile
37. Tony Martin With Orchestra Under Direction Of David Rose-Nazareth (A Sacred Song)
38. Decca Little Symphony Orchestra-Conducted By Alexander Smallens-Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a: Danses Caracteristiques: Marche
39. Charles Smart-Organ, Jimmy Blades-Chimes-O, Little Town Of Bethlehem
40. Jimmy Boyd With Paul Weston & His Orchestra And The Starlighters-Reindeer Rock
41. Spike Jones And His City Slickers-Vocal Refrain By Rudolph (Himself) With Santa Claus And The Four Reindeer-Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
42. Charles Smart-Organ, Jimmy Blades-Chimes-Silent Night, Holy Night
43. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Silver Bells
44. Lita Roza-Accompaniment Directed By Johnny Douglas-St. Nicholas Waltz
45. Connie Boswell With The Lyn Murray Singers-When Christmas Is Gone
46. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-White Christmas
47. Betlejemski Kwartet-Male Quartet With Organ And Chimes-Wśród Nocnej Ciszy (In The Silent Night)
48. John Nesbitt, Narration With Choir-A Christmas Gift (The Story Of The Juggler Of Our Lady)
49. Rosemary Clooney-Orchestra And Children's Chorus Under The Direction Of Norman Luboff-C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
50. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Hark The Herald Angels Sing
51. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Let's Light The Christmas Tree
52. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
53. John Nesbitt, Narration With Choir-A Christmas Gift (The Story Of The Juggler Of Our Lady)
54. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
55. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Jingle Bells
56. The Roy-Cliffs Featuring The Baldwin Orga-Sonic Spinet Organ And The Baldwin Piano-Marshmallow World
57. Andrej Gellert-Tenor With Organ, Chimes, Violin And Clarinet-Od Nás Dávno (Far From Us)
58. Standard Sound Effect-Toy Electric Train-One Whistle
59. Standard Sound Effect-Toy Electric Train-Whistle, Spiral, Start and Run, Slow And Stop (Occasional Whistle)
60. Major Records-Adeste Fideles
61. Earl Rogers, Tenor-Santa Claus Is Coming
62. Virginia Speaker, Soprano-Ann Andrews, Alto-Christmas Caroling Song
63. Virginia Speaker, Soprano-Ann Andrews, Alto-Let Us Play A Gay Musette

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