Christmas In July 2012-Part 19

Am I setting a record here?  I'm sure I'll jinx myself, but I'm not sure if I've ever made it this far into a month without missing a day or two.  I know one year it took me just over two months to get through, but that was certainly the exception.  Most years I just miss a day here and there, especially during the week, then I can usually get caught up on the weekends, when I have more time to record music.  We'll see if I can make it through the whole month or not, I know that's never happened.  But you don't care about any of that, you just want another album-length slab of great Christmas music, sort of a Goodyear collection of things.  And here you go...

1. Ave Maria No Morro (Doña Maria) by Helmut Zacharias And His Magic Violins from Rendezvous For Strings (Decca DL 78982, Stereo).  So, so many variations on Ave Maria out there, or perhaps I should say there are so many different songs that share that title.  That might be more accurate.

2. Danse Des Mirlitons (From "The Nutcracker"), a rerun in these parts from Xavier Cugat And His Orchestra from the LP The King Plays Some Aces (RCA Victor LSP-1882, Stereo, 1958).  I wish there were more music out there from Cugie that would fall under the Christmas banner.

3. Holiday For Strings from Neal Hefti And The Band With The Sweet Beat and the album A Salute To The Instruments (Coral CRL 757286, Stereo, 1960).  I think this is the only other version of this song I've got for you this year.  It's not very Christmassy in my opinion, so I try to avoid it for the most part  But I grabbed at least one other track from this LP at the same time, so here it is.

4. Jingle At The Window (Tideo) by Robert A. Choate, Richard C. Berg, Lee Kjelson, Eugene W. Troth & Children's Choir from the album Music For Early Childhood (American Book Company, Record 1 I-0140-0016, Stereo).  I don't know why I recorded this, it just caught my eye...

5. Let There Be Peace On Earth (And Let It Begin With Me) by The International Children's Choir from Take A Moment...And Sing Along With The International Children's Choir (Wide World Records WWR-1604, Stereo, 1969).  You never know where you might find something like this.

6. O Come, All Ye Faithful by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, again from the album Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).  Pretty sure that's Dearborn, Michigan, for anyone that might be wondering.

7. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Esquivel And His Orchestra, the LP is Strings Afire (RCA Victor LSP-1988. Stereo, 1959).  Some days I think almost anything Esquivel ever recorded could be considered a holiday recording.

8. Satin Doll by Dick Schory's Percussion Pops Orchestra from Politely Percussive (RCA Victor LSP-2738, Stereo, 1963).  More goodness from the golden era at RCA.

9. Sleigh Ride by Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra from Wish You Were Here (RCA Victor LSP-1904, Stereo, 1959).  Third in a row from RCA!  This time it's a rerun of something I first shared with you many years ago.

10. Snowfall by LeRoy Holmes And His Orchestra from Theme Songs Of The Great Swing Bands (MGM SE3708, Stereo, 1958).  The great swing band he's paying tribute to in this case is of course Claude Thornhill.

11. To Us A Child Is Born This Night; Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light; Once He Came In Blessing by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal Records S225, Stereo, 1981).  More trombone goodness.

12. We Three Kings by James W. Keane from Bells Over Rochester-The World Famous City's Carillon (Tom Jones Recording Studio TJS-11975-A/B, Stereo, 1975).

13. We Wish You A Merry Christmas by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from the album University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).

14. The Wooden Soldier And The China Doll, a rerun from Joe "Fingers" Carr And His Swingin' String Band and his self-titled LP (Capitol ST 1217, Stereo, 1959).  I've always liked this song.

Not too much to say about most of the tracks tonight.  Plus, it was a long day at work and I'm thinking about going to bed right about now.  Enjoy today's tracks, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

MediaFire

Overhead

I love living in Florida! Where else in the USofA could you live (except maybe Hawaii) and see something like these guys in the McDonalds drive-thru?  Actually, I heard them first, then stuck my head out the window to see them on an overhead power line.  But there they were, and they were kind enough to wait until I pulled out the camera to take some pictures.  But they never hang around very long when they aren't camouflaged in some foliage.  They took off unexpectedly and I was only able to get a shot or two of them in the air.  Oh, these are Quaker Parakeets, they aren't native around here, but they have established wild colonies all over this part of Florida and points south.  They're really something to see.  It's really neat when a whole flock of them fly by, flashing those green wings at you up in the air, and the occasional red tailfeather.

You know what, I shot wild parrots in San Francisco once, so I guess I have to take back what I said about only in Florida and Hawaii.

Christmas In July 2012-Part 18

Another special day today, I finally finished recording as many files as I shared out in total last year, and I've still got almost two weeks left to record stuff!  How great is that?  I think it's going to be another great year for Christmas in July!  Do you have any favorites yet?  I've been dropping the occasional track into my 'Best-Of' folder, but there's still room in there.  If there's something in particular that you've enjoyed, let me know down in the comments.  Sharing out so much, it's easy for me to forget something that's really great.  So, let's jump into tonight's shares.

1. April Snow by The Hi-Lo's from the LP The Hi-Lo's In Hand (Kapp KL-1194 (Reissue of material from Starlite ST-7008, 1956), Mono, 1960).  Why couldn't they have sung about July Snow?  Now that would have been cool!

2. Bells Of St. Mary by Lee Andrews & The Hearts from Greatest Hits (Lost Nite LP-101, Mono, 1964).  This record may well be a bootleg, but that's OK, I'd never find the original tracks anywhere else.  Nice vocal version of this track.

3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by, umm, I'd prefer not to say.  This isn't the sort of thing I should really be sharing around here.  I'll tell you it's from the soundtrack album The Victors (Colpix CP 516, Mono, 1963), and I read that it accompanies some pretty depressing imagery in the movie.

4. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Connie Stevens With The Magnificent Werner Mueller Orchestra from her album From Me To You (Warner Bros W1431, Mono, 1962).  I dug up another copy of this LP this evening, and that's what made me think of it and throw it in the pile to share tonight.  Nice version.

5. Merry Christmas Polka by Lawrence Welk And His Champagne Music from the collection Music For Polka Lovers (Mercury/Wing MGW 12210, Mono, 1960).  I always laugh when I see copies of this fairly common album..  On more than half of them, they've misspelled Christmas!

6. Nu Ar Det Jul Igen (Yuletide Is Here Again), today's obligatory track by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, from The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  Hope you're enjoying these.  I think I have a much more modern version of this track performed by some hair band on one of those label samplers somewhere...it sounds really familiar.

7. Sleep, Little Jesus by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter, from A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961). What can I say that I haven't said before?

8. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year by Deanna Durbin from the collection Memories Of America (MCA MCA-1514, originally recorded 2/15/44 for the motion picture "Christmas Holiday", Mono, 1982).  I looked up the movie that this professed to be from.  It's not really much of a Christmas movie...more noir than anything.

9. The Birthday Of A King by Gordon MacRae-Orchestra Conducted By Van Alexander, from his LP Hallowed Be Thy Name (Capitol (EMI) ST 1466, Stereo, 1960).  Best-known version of this song is probably by Judy Garland, but it's not something you hear very often.

10. Brazilian Sleigh Bells, a rerun  in several senses from Percy Faith And His Orchestra and his album Carefree-The Music Of Percy Faith (Columbia CS 8360, Stereo, 1961).  Not only is this something I've shared with you before (rerecorded this time and sounding better than ever!), it's also a re-recording of a track originally written and performed by Mr. Faith in the early fifties.  That original version has so far escaped my grasp, but I'm on it!

11. It Happened In Sun Valley by André Previn from André Previn Plays Pretty (Decca DL 74115, Stereo, 1961), another rerun.  He really could play that piano, couldn't he?

12. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Patty Looman Accompanied By Russell Flaharty, a unique dulcimer version taken from the LP Dulcimore (Sweet Music) Featuring Patty Looman Playing The Hammered Dulcimer (Page SLP 602, Stereo).  I love Christmas tunes performed on unique instruments.

13. A Place For The Winter by The Lettermen from their LP Warm (Capitol ST 2633, Stereo, 1967).  This is a rerun of something I shared out many years ago.  I think it's also the second of three tracks I grabbed from this record.

14. Rocking by 1978 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from the LP University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  How many more tracks do I have from this LP?  Anyhow, I really, really, really want to hear some modern acapella group, like Straight No Chaser or Rockapella do a medley of this and Queen's We Will Rock You.  It almost writes itself!

15. Swiss Christmas by The Smothers Brothers from their LP Curb Your Tongue, Knave! (Mercury SR 60862 (Music-Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, Tzena), Stereo, 1963).  I didn't have my Smothers Brothers tracks handy a few days ago when I did my comedy day, but I finally dug them out.  This is the only track of theirs that's any length, but there are others to come...  They're all reruns around here, I think I shared them out in the very first year of Christmas in July.  Well, the first sharity year.  I recently went back and looked, and I had forgotten that in that first year I shared a bunch of Christmas-themed doodles.

And that's it!  You're that much closer to having all the Christmas music in the world!  I once thought I could have some significant fraction of all the Christmas music out there, but every year I find how truly impossible that is....  See you folks tomorrow!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 17

Before I waste away my whole evening listening to the David Seville B-sides of all the Chipmunks early hits, I guess I need to give you folks some Christmas music.  But who knew there was great music on both sides of these records?  I'll be a lifetime tracking them all down.  But that's a project for another day, tonight you get more Christmas music!

1. Children Go Where I Send Thee by The Tokens-Conducted By Sammy Lowe from the LP The Lion Sleeps Tonight (RCA Victor LPM-2514, Mono, 1961).  Yes, it's the same Tokens.  Really liking this.

2. Chin Chow And The Golden Bird, a song adapted from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and performed by The Continental Symphony Orchestra, Narrated By Art Gilmore And Don Wilson.  I pulled this from the LP Classics For Children Volume 2 (Capitol T3248, Mono, 1957), but I think it originates from a kiddie record 78 from some years earlier.

3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Jane Morgan-Conducted By Charles Albertine, one of my favorite finds this year, pulled from the album Jane Morgan Serenades The Victors (Colpix CP 460, Mono, 1963).  I don't think Jane Morgan ever recorded a Christmas record, so this is probably the best Christmas track you're going to find by her.  This is a sort of companion album to the soundtrack to the movie "The Victors", also on Colpix.  Not sure how that worked, but we get a great song.  On the actual soundtrack, Sinatra performs the song.

4. Doll Dance by Leon Berry from the LP Glockenspiels, Trap And Plenty Of Pipes With Leon Berry At The Hub Rink Chicago-Volume 1 (Replica 33x2501, Mono).  Another organ song you need!

5. I've Got My Love To Keep me Warm from Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra, a rerun, I think, from A Song For All Seasons (Decca DL 4609, Mono, 1965).  Pretty late for a mono LP, but I've seen worse.

6. Ihr Kinderlein, Kommet (O Come, Little Children), today's track from The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, and their collection The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  Not sure if I've reached the halfway point from this album or not...

7. My Favorite Things by Derek And Ray-Arranged And Conducted By Marty Gold, from their LP The Two Piano Sound Of Derek And Ray Playing "The Sound Of Music" And Other Richard Rodgers Hits (RCA Victor LPM-3353, Mono, 1965).  No arguments about whether or not this is a Christmas song, please, just try to enjoy it.  That album title is quite the mouthful.

8. Snowfall by Members Of The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Richard Jones from the album Moonlight And Violins (Capitol T534, Mono, 1954).  Slightly different version of this classic.

9. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year by Richard Maltby And His Orchestra from Swingin' Down The Lane (Columbia CL 1271, Mono, 1960).  I wasn't sure if this should be a Christmas song or not, but I discovered it came from a Christmas movie, so here it is.

10. Ave Maria by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from their LP Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal Records S225, Stereo, 1981).  That looks like four seasons to me, but since it's performed all on trombones, I'll let it slide. Get it, slide?  Lot's more from these guys to come.

11. Bells And Little Bells by David Carroll And His Orchestra, recorded during his percussion obsession, from the LP Repercussion (Mercury SR 60029, Stereo, 1959).  I shared a version of this by Percy Faith a long time ago, but at the time I didn't see it was written by Helmut Zacharias.

12. Christmas In July, the official theme song of these parts this time of year, actually a medley of carols by Dennis Hinman from the demo LP Denny-Dennis Hinman Plays The Yamaha Electone E-70 (Yamaha YR 5005, Stereo).

13. Greensleeves by Admiral Dan's Pandemoniacs, AKA The US Navy Steel Band, from the album Dream Along With The US Navy Steel Band (AKA Caribbean Romance) (Continental CST-2003 (AKA ST-9029), Stereo).  Why all the dual naming?  Well, first and foremost, it's a budget release, and the title and catalog number are different on the sleeve and the vinyl.  But also the official name of the band differed from what everybody called it.  I guess there really was an Admiral Dan, and he put the band together.

14. Let There Be Peace On Earth (Let It Begin With Me) by Liberace-Orchestra Directed By Gordon Robinson from his album My Inspiration (Coral CRL 757344, Stereo, 1960).  This is one of about a dozen songs this year that I discovered, recorded, then discovered again in a stereo version.  So you get to enjoy the fruits of double my labor on this one.

And that's it, another great collection of tracks I think you'll agree.  Come back tomorrow for still more goodies.

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Day 16

Today marks the last day of the first half of Christmas In July!  16 days down, 16 more to go!  And it's a theme night, too!  Most of the songs have nothing to do with Christmas, but they feature the word Holiday in the title!  Oh, and the last couple of tracks are barbershop.  Things get weird around here sometimes, I can't really help it.  So let's dive in!

1. Allah's Holiday by Domenico Savino And His Orchestra from the LP Music For A Perfect Day (RCA Camden CAL 357, Mono, 1958).  You might recall Mr. Savino's excellent Christmas album that came in both mono and stereo flavors, that oddly enough, weren't the same...

2. Bugler's Holiday by The Four Saints & The John Scott Trotter Orchestra from the rather curious LP Life Throws A Party (Life Magazine In Honor Of The 53rd Annual Meeting Of The Grocery Manufacturers Association, Mono. 1961).  Weird little item, this.

3. Busy Holiday, a great rerun from our friends The Three Suns and their album Twilight Time (Rondo-lette A14, Mono).  This is a reissue of some music The Suns recorded for the Majestic label way, way back in the day.

4. Holiday by The Anita Kerr Singers from the album All You Need Is Love (Warner Bros WS 1724, Stereo, 1967).  This is a version of the Bee Gees song, in case you wondered.

5. Holiday For Percussion from Dick Schory's Percussion Pops Orchestra and the album Holiday For Percussion (RCA Victor "Stereo Action" LSA-2485, Stereo, 1962).  I went on a roll tonight and recorded a handful of tracks from Mr. Schory that I hope to share out before the end of the month.

6. Holiday For Strings by Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra from the collection The Great Jimmy Dorsey (Decca DL 8609, Mono, 1957).  If I wanted, I could record a hundred different versions of this one song by David Rose, but I try to limit it's inclusion here.  I think I recorded two versions this year, so you'll get another one between now and the end of the month.  Wait for it.

7. Holiday For Trombones by Trombones Unlimited Featuring Mike Barone & Frank Rosolino from the LP Holiday For Trombones (Liberty LST-7527, Stereo, 1967).  Another track by David Rose, but not the same song.

8. Holiday In A Hurry, oops, another song from Dick Schory, this time as Dick Schory's New Percussion Ensemble, taken from the classic album Music For Bang, Baa-Room And Harp (RCA Victor LSP-1866, Stereo, 1958).  This one's written by Skitch Henderson.

9. Hong Kong Holiday by Robert Maxwell And His Orchestra from the collection Spectacular Is The Sound For It! (MGM E3883, Mono, 1960).  I thought I had this in stereo, but I guess not.

10. March Of The Dwarfs by Percussion, Brass, Strings And Winds Of The Philadelphia Orchestra-Eugene Ormandy, Conductor, from the album Holiday For Orchestra! (Columbia Masterworks MS 6757, Stereo, 1965).  No, it doesn't have holiday in the title of the song, but it's in the title of the album.  I think that counts.

11. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Richard Hayman And His Harmonica Orchestra and his album Harmonica Holiday (Mercury PPS 6005, Stereo, 1961).  Again, it's in the album title, so it counts!  Rerun!

12. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot, a rerun title here from The Sun Tones and their album A Touch Of Gold (Sunrise LP 2309, Mono, 1961).  In case you don't remember this, it's a great barbershop take on a great song I first heard by Vera Lynn at the beginning of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

13. The Twelve Days Of Christmas by The Gentlemen's Agreement from Final Edition (Harmony Enterprises GA 103, Stereo), another great track in that barbershop style.  This on'es new to the blog, but I'm sure it'll turn into a classic.

And that's that.  Some good stuff in there.  I hope you've enjoyed the first half of the month, but I've got plenty more to share with you in the second half, it may even be better!  So keep coming back, and tell your friends!  See you right here tomorrow night!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Day 15

Day 15, almost halfway through the month!  Hooray!  Let's see what's in the share package tonight!

1. Baby, It's Cold Outside, a great-sounding rerun by Meri Ellen And Her Cohorts Featuring Guest Star Don Elliott from their LP The Hi-Fi Antics Of Meri Ellen And Her Cohorts (Design DLP 63, Mono, 1958).  I've always enjoyed this version, but I think this is the first time I've gotten a rip of it that I could be proud of.

2. Ave Maria by Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Glee Club-Stuart Churchill, Soloist from the album Songs Of Devotion (Decca DL 8670, Mono, 1958).  This is the first of two different Ave Maria's from this LP.

3. A Child's Christmas In Wales, spoken by the author Dylan Thomas from his LP Selections From The Writings Of Dylan Thomas-Read By The Poet-Volume 1 (Caedmon TC 1002, Mono, 1956).  Pretty sure I've shared this one with you in the past sometime, but here it is again.

4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire), the classic Christmas tune, here performed by George Maharis-Conducted By Joe Sherman, recorded live and pulled from the LP New Route (Epic LN 24191, Mono, 1966).  See, every once in a while I can find a real Christmas song to share with you.

5. Doll Dance by Russ Morgan And His Orchestra from the album Everybody Dance To The Music Of Russ Morgan And His Orchestra (Decca DL 8337, Mono, 1956).  Dance, Dance, Dance-Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah!

6. Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen, today's track from The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, and the LP The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).

7. Greensleeves by Ferrante And Teicher from Soundproof-The Sound Of Tomorrow, Today! (Westminster WP 6014, Mono, 1956).  First time I've had a decent-sounding version of this LP.  And as an aside, I finally found myself a copy of their Blast-Off! LP recently.  Now all I need is Adventure In Carols.

8. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Della Reese from The Best Of Della Reese (Jubilee JGM 5002, Mono, 1962).  I thought I'd shared this out before, but if I did, I can't find it.

9. Jingle Bells by The Alley Singers...Phil Stern And Al Brennan from the LP Side By Side (RCA Victor LPM-1629, Mono, 1958).  This is exactly the sort of thing I love to find and share during Christmas In July!

10. March Of The Toys by Ethel Smith from Bright And Breezy (Decca DL 8799, Mono, 1958).  A rerun, but good stuff.

11. Midnight Sleighride (From "The Lieutenant Kije Suite"), a great, great, great track from The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra and their LP New Directions In Music (RCA Victor 10" 33 RPM LPM 3115, Mono, 1953).  If anyone is reading this, I'm looking for a track by Sauter-Finegan called Holiday.  It appears to be a 45-only release, and really, really hard to find.  Can anybody help?  I can't even find an MP3 of it...

12. Sleigh Ride by Sy Mann At The Lowrey from his LP Songs Of The Four Seasons (Golden Crest CR 3007, Mono, 1957).  Everyone loves Leroy Anderson!

13. A Star Shall Shine by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen, from the album The St. Olaf Lutheran Choir (Mercury MG 20636, Mono, 1961).  Did I mention that all the tracks tonight are mono?

14. Sugar Plum by Jo Harnell And His Trio from the LP The Piano Inventions Of Jo Harnell And His Trio (Jubilee LP-1015, Mono, 1956).  This was one of the first tracks I recorded this year for Christmas In July!

15. Winter Ditties by The Volga Russian Folk Choir-Sung By V. Mikhailova And V. Volkova, from The Volga Russian Folk Choir (Melodiya (USSR) CM 02871-72, Mono).  This may be the first track I've ever ripped from an actual Russian album.  Not just Russian, but the USSR!

That's it, 15 tracks, bringing our total for the month to a nice even 200!  Sweet.  Here's the download link.  Enjoy!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 14

Another day, another post.  I finally got busy tonight and recorded a few more tracks for this thing, getting my total up to a little over 400.  I'd been getting lazy about this for a bit, but I'm back on track now.  Let's see what we've got for tonight, shall we?

1. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Sacha Distel-Arranged And Conducted By Ray Ellis (the female vocalist isn't mentioned on the LP) from the album From Paris With Love (RCA Victor LPM-2611, Mono, 1962).  Nice version of this classic duet.  The accent helps.

2. Brazilian Sleigh Bells from George Wright and his album George Wright Encores At The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ (HiFi R-702, Mono, 1956).  A nice version of the Percy Faith classic.  Pretty sure I've shared this one with you before.

3. Doll Dance by Jan Garber And His Orchestra from Music, Sweet! With A Beat (Dot SLP 3014, Mono, 1956).  I didn't even know the Dot label went back this far.  Live and learn, I guess.

4. June In January by Gordon MacRae-Orchestra Conducted By Van Alexander from Seasons Of Love (Capitol T 1146, Mono, 1959).  Another repeat.

5. Quem Pastores Laudavere (He, Whom Shepherds Praised) from our friends The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, from The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  It's the gift that just keeps giving!

6. We Need A Little Christmas by Bobby Hackett & Ronnie David-Musical Direction By Frank Hunter from the album Sweet Charity & Mame-The Swingin'est Gals In Town (Epic Footlight Series FLM 13107, Mono, 1966).  Everybody needs a little Christmas!

7. Baked Alaska by Joe "Fingers" Carr from his LP The World's Greatest Ragtime Piano Player (Warner Bros WS 1386, Stereo, 1986).  What does Alaska have to do with Christmas?  Not much.  It's cold, I guess.

8. Hallelujah Chorus by USMC Drum & Bugle Corps, Truman W. Crawford-Director, pulled from the album The United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps 1976 "The Commandant's Own" (USMC 11476, Stereo, 1976).  Interesting version.

9. Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Funtastic 25 from the LP Funtastic 25 Children's Songs Volume 2 (ERA BU 4952, Stereo, 1982).  Another oddity from a children's record.

10. Skaters' Waltz from George Feyer At The Piano With Orchestra Conducted By Dick Jacobs and the album Golden Waltzes Everybody Knows (Decca DL74455, Stereo, 1963).  I think I shared this one with you many moons ago in mono.  Here's a nice stereo version.

11. Sleigh Ride as performed by Marco Rizo, His Piano & Orchestra from his album Leroy Anderson In Latin America (Forum SF 9039, Stereo, 1960).  Something else I think I've shared out before.

12. Snowfall from The Guitars, Inc. and their LP Soft And Subtle (Warner Bros BS 1246, Stereo, 1959).  Still looking for the Christmas album from these guys on the original vinyl...

13. Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite from old favorites Jerry Murad's Harmonicats and the LP Harmonica Rhapsody (Columbia CS 9141, Stereo, 1965).  Very nice...

14. Warm by The Lettermen, from Warm (Capitol ST 2633, Stereo, 1967).  Another share from long ago, in shiny new sound.

That's it, 14 tracks for day 14.  Try to stay cool out there, it's hot!

MediaFire

Billboard

Is it just me, or are the archives at Billboard now impossible to search through Google Books?  Perhaps it's just this crummy Chrome browser...  I'm having a hard time putting dates on things without it.

Christmas In July 2012-Part 13

Welcome to a special Friday the 13th version of Christmas in July!  What's so special about it?  Well, it's on Friday the 13th, that's what, and you get 13 tracks.  Which is pretty much the average so far, so perhaps that's not as special as I'd hoped.  Anyhow, here's some Christmas music.

1. The Orchestra In A Nutcracker Shell by Robert Russell Bennett Conducting Members Of The NBC Symphony Orchestra from An Adventure In High Fidelity (RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1802, Mono, 1954).  This is a rerun for me, but if you missed it the first time, I think you'll really enjoy this take on the Tchaikovsky classic, and it's really a workout for your new hi-fi system, too.

2. Sleigh Ride by Ethel Smith from Galloping Fingers (Decca 10" 33 RPM DL 5327, Mono, 1951).  I've been looking for this one for a while, I knew it was out there, but had never seen it.  You never know what's going to turn up or when.

3. Under The Stars, another song by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter from their LP A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961).

4. Ave Maria (Schubert) by Larry Ferrari from his LP My Favorite Hymns "Especially For You" (Sure 704, Stereo, 1967).  I recorded this one twice before I realized I was doing so.  I'm only going to share it once, though, I hope that's OK.

5. Ching-A-Ring-Chaw (From Part 4 "Winter) by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, from that old standby The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861, Stereo, 1966).

6. The March Of Siamese Children (From The Film "The King And I") by The Band Of The Coldstream Guards-Conducted By Major Douglas A. Pope, A.R.C.M., P.S.M., from an LP I just found the other day Marching Down Broadway With The Band Of The Coldstream Guards (RCA Victor LSP-1944, Stereo, 1959).  Not really Christmas, but I like a good march.

7. My Favorite Things, by perhaps the group most entitled to sing it, Members Of The Trapp Family Singers And Chorus, Arranged And Conducted By Father Franz Wasner, from their LP The Sound Of Music (RCA Victor LSP-2277, Stereo, 1960).  Pretty sure I've shared this with you before, but here it is again.

8. Prelude To Christmas (Annunciation And Magnificat) by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen, from the album Fifty Golden Years (Mercury SR 60728, Stereo, 1962).  Another rerun.

9. Satin Doll by Jack Weigand At The Organ from Stairway To The Stars (Cameo SC 1012, Stereo, 1961).  What more can I say?

10. Snow, a beautiful track by Claudine Longet from her LP Love Is Blue (A&M AP 4142, Stereo, 1968). This is a great track, I wish it were better known. Randy Newman wrote this, in case you were curious.  Did you notice I've put the songwriting credits in almost all my songs this year?  I've been trying to do that after a couple of requests from my fans.  Sometimes they aren't listed, so I can't put them in there, but I've tried to get them in there when I can.

11. Snowfall by George Shearing-String Choir Conducted By Billy May, from the LP The Shearing Touch (Capitol ST1472, Stereo, 1960).  A rerun, but a good track nonetheless.  I remember it took me a long time to find a stereo copy of this record.

12. The Toy Trumpet by Neal Hefti And The Band With The Sweet Beat from their LP A Salute To The Instruments (Coral CRL 757286, Stereo, 1960).  Not strictly Christmas, but any excuse to throw in a Raymond Scott composition is a good one.

13. Winter Wonderland from Eddie Layton With Rhythm Section and the LP Better Layton Than Ever (Mercury SR 60031, Stereo, 1959), something I shared out a long, long time ago.

That's it, another download full of Christmas music pulled from every wide corner of the musical spectrum I could find.  Hope you enjoy!

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Christmas In July 2012-Part 12

On the 12th Day of Christmas in July, Ernie (Not Bert) gave you another baker's dozen of great Christmas tracks.  I hope you're happy!

1. Pastores A Belen (Shepherds Of Bethlehem) by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, again from The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  Lots of tracks to share from this one...

2. The Skater's Yodel by Elton Britt from Yodel Songs (RCA Victor LPM-1288, Mono, 1956).  Slim Whitman, eat your heart out!  This one is headed for the 'Best Of' collection!

3. The Wedding Of The Painted Doll by Louis Bregoli and the LP Accordion A La Carte (Tiffany 1018, Mono, 1960).  Nice accordion track.

4. Winter Song performed by American Legion Chorus And The Holly Belles on the album Millville, NJ Centennial 1866-1966 (Millville Centennial Corp AB 1966M, Mono, 1966).  A little odd, but not bad.

5. Carol Of The Advent by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, once more from the LP Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).  I take 'em where I find 'em.

6. The Cat In The Snow by Robert A. Choate, Richard C. Berg, Lee Kjelson, Eugene W. Troth & Children's Choir, from the album Music For Early Childhood (American Book Company, Record 1 I-0140-0016, Stereo).  Short, but sweet.

7. Farewell, My Love, one of the few remaining tracks by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from that same old album, University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  I only recorded the one side, I swear...

8. The Frozen Logger by Cathie Taylor-Jack Fascinato Conducting, from her LP The Tree Near My House (Capitol ST1448, Stereo, 1960).  I wound up recording this track twice, once from this, the original LP, and once from a compilation of tracks under a generic Hootenanny theme.  That collection wasn't on Capitol, so I thought perhaps it was a different recording, but I was wrong.

9. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Poliakin, His Orchestra And Chorale, a rerun around here from the LP The Best Of Poliakin (Everest SDBR 2,003, Stereo, 1960).  They say it's the best of, but I don't think I've seen more than one other LP of his, and it had this track on it, too.

10. I Wonder As I Wander, a great song performed here by Mary Dulmage With Pierre Francalanza, Pianist, from the album Saturday Night And Sunday Morning (Vin Blanc Records WW001, Stereo, 1983).

11. Italian Christmas Song by Gaylord & Holiday from their self-titled album (The Gaylords Record Company, Stereo, 1977).  I found a handful of LPs by these guys in the back of a Habitat For Humanity thrift store recently, and with Holiday in their name, I figured I needed to at least look.  Sure enough, I found this.

12. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Bach.  Well, written by Bach, performed here by Dean F. Robinson from his shared LP Bells Over Rochester-The World Famous City's Carillon (Tom Jones Recording Studio TJS-11975-A/B, Stereo, 1975).  I don't remember who he shared it with, but the other side didn't feature anything that would fit in here.  Wait, is that right?  No, I'm wrong, this was the only track on this side.  The other side had three Christmas titles!  Carillons were made for Christmas music I tell you!

13. My Favorite Things from Benny Goodman And His Orchestra and the LP The Sound Of Music (MGM SE 3810, Stereo, 1959).  Pretty late effort here from Benny, and certainly one of his earliest stereo outings.  I think I've shared a mono version of this with you before.

And that's it.  Another great collection that I think brings our total for the month past the 150 mark.  No end in sight, either, it just keeps going and going and going!  Here's the link, see you's tomorrow!

MediaFire

Slight Delay

Pardon the slight delay while I record select songs from this 1957 sampler of French pop music on Columbia.  Ballade de Davy Crockett, indeed!

Christmas In July 2012-Part 11

The problem with recording my shares too far in advance is that I forget where they came from.  I can't remember the cover of the LP or where I found the record.  Sometimes I'll pull the record down off the shelf where I put them after recording them and try to remember something interesting about it.  Like the Martin Denny track I shared the other day, I wanted to mention the fact that Ferde Grofe wrote the brief liner notes on that one.  But I forgot all about it when I was writing up the track listing.  I do at least try to listen to the tracks again while posting, that way I can remember which ones are good and which ones are, well, not so good.  Have I ever tossed one for not being very good?  No, not really.  Couple of times I've not finished recording one because I really couldn't by any stretch of the imagination relate it back to Christmas, but that's pretty rare.  Anyhow, I'm just blathering on here, and I'm sure you don't care.  Let's get on to the shares for this evening.

1. Skaters' Waltz by the Military Band Organ from the LP Merry Go Round Music For The Young In Heart (Golden Crest CR 3054, Mono, 1959).  Supposedly, there are a bunch of these old music machines at the old car museum right up the road, but I've never been.  I'm not even certain they still have them, but I know they used to because I've found recordings of them.

2. Waltz Of The Flowers From The Nutcracker Suite by The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony-Daniel Kovats, Music Director And Conductor, from the album In Concert-The Grand Rapids Youth Symphony (Abbott SS-18653-01, Mono, 1970).  Some days I don't even look at the back of these school-produced albums, because I think I really don't need another one.  But then I turn them over anyway and find yet another Christmas track I need.

3. Gloucestershire Wassail by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from that same old LP I've shared tracks from with you so many times before, University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  At least they're pretty good songs, right?

4. Ice Run by Rick Wakeman from the soundtrack to the 1976 Winter Olympics, White Rock (A&M SP-4614, Stereo, 1977).  OK, maybe not the soundtrack to the Games themselves, but at least a soundtrack to the film they released showcasing the games.

5. March of The Dwarfs by Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Earl Bernard Murray from the compilation LP Pomp And Circumstance (Capitol SP 8620, Stereo, 1965).  I first discovered Grieg's March Of The Dwarfs last year, and thought it made an excellent Christmas track, I hope you agree. This is the second track I've found tonight where I made a typo in the MP3 tags.  I need an intern!

6.Put A Little Love In Your Heart by The Mike Curb Congregation and their album Come Together (CoBurt Records CO 1002, Stereo, 1970).  I think this got nudged towards being a Christmas song when Annie Lennox and Al Green covered it on the soundtrack to Scrooged!.  I know the video showed lots of fake snow...

7. Snow Is Falling (From Part 4 "Winter") by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, from that other frequently excerpted LP, The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861, Stereo, 1966).  I like it!

8. Sun Valley Twist, an interesting take by Hap Miller And The Hap Miller Sun Valley Orchestra from the LP It Happened In Sun Valley (Stanal Records S-1010, Stereo, 1964).  Twist to your hearts content!


9. Toyland by Pupi Prado And His Orchestra from the budget LP Cha Cha Cha (Celebrity UTS, Stereo).  Pretty sure this track has shown up more than once around here under various names and artists.  Look for Fred Sateriale and Toyland Cha Cha Cha.  Same performance.  :(


10. We Need A Little Christmas by Skitch Henderson & The Tonight Show Orchestra from the LP Broadway Tonight! Skitch Henderson & The Tonight Show Orchestra Play Music From "Mame" (Columbia CS 9318, Stereo, 1966).  This is a rerun from year's past, this may be the first appearance here in stereo.  Maybe.  Hard to tell, I didn't pay too much attention to that in the old days and didn't differentiate.  I think plenty of those early shares were mono records recorded in stereo.  What did I know?


11. What Child Is This by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen from the LP Fifty Golden Years (Mercury SR 60728, Stereo, 1962), another rerun from years gone by.


12. What Month Was Jesus Born In?, a great little song you don't hear too often by Odetta from her LP Odetta At Town Hall (Vanguard VSD-2109, Stereo, 1962).  I remember seeing mention of a Christmas album from Odetta on the back of this LP, I'll have to hunt that down, I don't think I've heard it before.


13. Wintertime by Arthur Lee Harper from his LP Dreams And Images (LHI/ABC S12,000, Produced by Lee Hazlewood, Stereo, 1968).  I think Lee Hazlewood did his best work with Nancy Sinatra, but you may like it.  Oh, almost forgot, the record jacket only identifies him as Arthur, but his other work gives his full name.  I put both in the track tags.


And that's it.  Hope you enjoyed tonight's installment.  It's nice not to have to struggle and record stuff on the same night I'm sharing it.  Now I can record stuff at leisure, or I can go watch River Monsters on TV.  We'll see what wins out.  Here's the link, have fun with it.


MediaFire

Why is the HTML so screwed up in this post? I do not like posting from Chrome!

Christmas In July 2012-Part 10

Day 10, almost 1/3 of the way through!  Now we're movin'!

1. (a) Snowshoes  (b) Riding The Troika, a double whammy from Victor Young And His Singing Strings-Violin Solos By Anatole Kaminsky and his album Gypsy Music (Decca DL 8052, Mono, 1953).  Interesting, I don't know if it makes me think of Christmas, but it's interesting.

2. The Building Of A Band (The Bells Of St. Mary's) by Horace Heidt And His Musical Knights from the collection Camp! (Capitol T2474, Mono, 1966).  The background song is what brought me to this one, but the foreground is a neat little bit about how to put together a band.

3. Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, another song from The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).

4. Let There Be Peace On Earth by The Singing Sisters Of St. Francis Featuring Sister Mary Amelia, Soprano-John LaFalce, Conductor-Ed Husted, Instrumental Background, and the album Sunrise To Sunset (Meteor M-C5061, Mono, 1968).  Private label goodness.

5. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Red Nichols And His Five Pennies from an eponymous LP (Tops LP1594, Mono, 1957).  This is a rerun from years past, but it's good.

6. Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening, a musical version of the Robert Frost poem, performed by Heidelberg College Concert Choir-Lorna Lockwood, Accompanist, from the LP  Heidelberg College Concert Choir-Ferris E. Ohl, Director-Tiffin, Ohio (Recorded Publications Company Z-28941/28942 (Custom Processed And Pressed By RCA Victor), Mono).  Interesting, I'd never heard this done to music before.

7. Ave Maria by 1977 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, one more track from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  Lots of good stuff on this one, hope you're enjoying it.

8. Christmas Song by Natural Gas from their self-titled album (Private Stock PS 2011, Stereo, 1976).  I didn't listen too closely to the lyrics, but it didn't strike me as having anything to do with Christmas...

9. Good King Wenceslas by The Orchestra Of LeRoy Holmes from the soundtrack LP The Devil's Brigade (United Artists UAS 6654, Stereo, 1968).  This is a rerun from way, way back, and it's worth the repeat, I believe.  I've recorded a lot of stuff from UA this year, they put out some great stuff back in the day, it's just hard to find.

10. It Happened In Sun Valley, a short version by Hap Miller And The Hap Miller Sun Valley Orchestra from the LP It Happened In Sun Valley (Stanal Records S-1010, Stereo, 1964).  I think this is the final reprise from the album.

11. Maria Walks Amid The Thorn by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, from their album Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).  More goodness from a private press.

12. Skater's Cha Cha from Claude Thornhill And His Orchestra, the Snowfall man himself, from the LP Dance To The Sound Of Claude Thornhill (Decca DL 78878, Stereo, 1958).  I love dance-themed Christmas songs, so this is right up my alley.

That's it for tonight, short but sweet.  A little something for everyone, I think.  Have at it!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 9

Part 9.  Nothing special about day 9.  It doesn't evenly divide anything into anything.  It's not themed in any way, it's just there.  So here it is...

1. Ave Maria by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, from their album The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  They really could sing, couldn't they?

2. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Roger King Mozian And His Orchestra from the sampler Spectacular Is The Sound For It! (MGM E3883, Mono, 1960).  Odd that a mono sampler was issued for a bunch of albums that were stereo showcases.  I think I may have shared this before, but from the original LP.

3. Blue December, a rerun from Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra And Chorus, pulled from the LP Big And Sweet, With A Beat (RCA Camden CAL-443, Mono, 1958).  This'll make you forget those 100 degree temps outside!

4. Cold, Cold Heart from Jerry Byrd and the album Satin Strings Of Steel (Monument MLP 8033 (Reissue of Memories Of Maria MLP 4008), Mono, 1962).  No, it's not really Christmas, but it's Hank Williams and it's got 'cold in the title, twice!

5. Doll Dance from Louis Bregoli and his album Accordion A La Carte (Tiffany 1018, Mono, 1960).  Gotta love a little accordion piece now and then.

6. Hodie Christus Natus Est by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen, from the LP The St. Olaf Lutheran Choir (Mercury MG 20636, Mono, 1961).  I need to dig up the stereo version of this one.

7. Play Sweet Music by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter from the album that's surely become a favorite of yours already, A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961).

8. That's My Doll by Frankie Vaughan With Raymond Long At The Piano, The Beryl Stott Singers And The London Palladium Orchestra Directed By Reg Cole (whew!) from the album Frankie Vaughan At The Palladium (Columbia CL 1405, Mono, 1960).

9. That's What I Want For Christmas (From "Stowaway") by Shirley Temple from the album Shirley Temple's Hits (20th Fox Fox 3006, Mono, 1958).  Earlier in the month, I brought you a version of this song by one of the writers, Irving Caesar, which I found a couple days before I found this LP.  Serendipity is the word you're looking for.  :)

10. Winter Weather by Sy Mann At The Lowrey from Songs Of The Four Seasons (Golden Crest CR 3007, Mono, 1957).  Good stuff from the who later put out a Christmas album on the Moog Synthesizer!

11. Falling Snow by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, from The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861 (From Part 4 "Winter"), Stereo, 1966).  Another LP that should be fast turning into a favorite.

12. March Of The Toys by The Big 18 from the album Blues On Parade (Victor (Japan) SLS-5031, Stereo).  Not sure when this Japanese version came out, but I think I shared this same track with you before in mono.

And that's that.  Twelve more tracks, one more day.  I'm tired of typing.  Here's the share, knock yourselves out.

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Christmas In July 2012-Part 8

Day 8, beginning of week 2, and it's another theme day.  Well, sorta.  I don't think I have enough tracks to theme the whole thing, but we'll see.  The theme is comedy.  Let's go...

1. The Twelve Gifts Of Christmas by Allan Sherman-Arranged And Conducted By Lou Busch With The Voices Of Jimmy Joyce from the album For Swingin' Livers Only! (Warner Bros W1569, Mono, 1964).  This is the album version, which I believe is a slightly edited version of the single version.  Something about a girl with a clock in her stomach, if memory serves...

2. Amateur Show Contestants by Bob Newhart from Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart (Faces Bob Newhart) (Warner Bros W1517, Mono, 1964).  I went hunting for Christmas comedy bits that weren't obvious from the track title, and this was what I found.

3. Twelve Days, a sorta funny song parody by The Chad Mitchell Trio from their album Singin' Our Minds (Mercury SR 60838, Stereo, 1963).  This is a rerun from some years ago, and I think the second track from this album I've shared.

4. Reggae Christmas Eve In Transylvania by Count Floyd and his eponymous album (RCA/SCTV MFL1-8501, Stereo, 1982).  I'd heard the track before and had no idea where it come from.  Now it all makes sense...

5. Twelve Daze Of Christmas by Fay McKay from her LP A-Live At The Dunes (MLG Records 1021, Stereo).  A classic.

6. The Frozen Logger by Hank Hill And Tennessee Folk Trio from the budget LP Folk Song Hall Of Fame (Palace PST-716, Stereo, 1960).  Not really comedy, but I little humorous.

7. A Miserable Merry Christmas by Hiram Sherman, Narration By Cyril Ritchard from the educational record Many Voices-Adventures For Readers: Book 1 (Harcourt, Brace And Company XTV 26334/26335, Mono, 1958).  A humorous story that I thought I'd throw in to give this day a little length.

8. The Abominable Snowman by Jonathan Winters from the album Stuff'n Nonsense (Columbia CS 9799, Stereo, 1969).  I think this album compiled bits from his TV show.

9. Christmas Sing Along With Jose-Jingle Bells, a rerun by Jose Jiminez aka Bill Dana from the LP Jose Jimenez In Orbit-Bill Dana On Earth (Kapp KS-3257, Stereo, 1962).  Not very politically correct, I'm afraid.

10. Choo Choo Engine by Louise Binder Scott, Narrator & Lucille Wood, Pianist from their kiddie LP Listening Time Album 3 (Bowmar LT 1003, Mono).  I wasn't sure this was a Christmas track, but the cover sure looked it, so I took a chance, and here you go.

11. A Word About Winter, another great bit of verse from Ogden Nash With Music Composed And Conducted By Glenn Osser from the LP The Fanciful World Of Ogden Nash (Capitol SW 1570, Stereo, 1961).  I wish I had more Ogden Nash in my collection.

12. Me And My Teddy Bear by Rosemary Clooney-Orchestra Under Direction Of Percy Faith, from the collection Children's Favorites (Columbia 10" 33 RPM CL 2569 Playhouse Party Series, Mono, 1956).  It mentions Christmas, so I'm throwing it in here.

13. A Christmas Carol from the great Tom Lehrer and his album An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer (Reprise RS-6199, Stereo, 1959).  Good stuff and a good tune to end on.

Not a bad collection, if I do say so myself.  Certainly more tracks than I thought I'd be able to pull together for a playlist.  Let me know what you think, or if there's anything I missed.  I can think of a few, but I didn't have them handy.

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Christmas In July 2012-Day 7

Today makes the one week point of the Christmas In July celebration here at Ernie (Not Bert), and what a week it's been!  Certainly the most prolific ever, with more shares per inch than most Fortune 500 companies.  We've still got a long way to go though, so be sure to pace yourself.  On with the show!

1. All Creatures Now Are Merry-Minded by 1978 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, another track from the LP University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  Nice track that's new to my ears.  Oh, and all the music tonight is in stereo to make for them all being in mono yesterday.

2. Ave Maria by Brad White & Lee Eisenstein from their album Old Friends (W.E. Records WE1001, Stereo, 1983).  This is a custom pressing that I'd never seen before.  I think you'll like this version.

3. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Gordon Jenkins, the second track I'm sharing from Gordon Jenkins Conducts 26 Years Of Academy Award Winning Songs (CG CGS 3002, Stereo, 1959).  Is this a rerun, I'm not sure...  This is a little bouncier than I remember.  I like it!

4. Bobsled from Clebanoff And His Orchestra and the LP Strings Afire (Mercury PPS 6019, Stereo, 1961).  I know this is a rerun, and really good one at that.  If this track doesn't put you on the fast track down a snow-covered mountain, you should have your hearing checked.

5. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Del Wood and her LP Rags To Riches (RCA Victor LSP-1633, Stereo, 1959).  Another version of the classic.

6. Christmas Carols by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, yet another track from The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861 (From Part 4 "Winter"), Stereo, 1966).  Nice straightforward title.

7. Go Tell It On The Mountain by The World Action Singers Of Oral Roberts University-Joyce Lampkin, Soloist from the LP Oral Roberts Presents (Light LS-5520-LP, Stereo, 1969).  All the other 'soloists' on this LP were children of Oral Roberts.  So there.

8. Go Where I Send Thee by The Dukes Of Dixieland and Clara Ward And Her Gospel Singers, quite a nice surprise from the album We Gotta Shout (Columbia CS 8842, Stereo, 1963).  It's always nice to find something like this hidden away on a mainstream album.

9. Let There Be Peace On Earth, a little bit of celebrity vocal from Eddie Albert-Conducted By Milton Rogers and the album Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin' (Hamilton HLP 12103 (Reissue of Dot DLP 25109), Stereo, 1959).  I know this is a rerun, but I grabbed it from a reissue this time.  I don't know when this reissue came out, the 1959 date is the original.

10. The Marvelous Toy from The Chad Mitchell Trio and their LP Singin' Our Minds (Mercury SR 60838, Stereo, 1963).  Another rerun, written by Tom Paxton.

11. Satin Doll, not a Christmas song from Rudy Rosa With Dave Walshaw, local entertainer, and the album A Musical Climax With Rudy Rosa And His Custom X-66 Hammond Organ And Synthesizer Complex (Rudy Rosa 777-MC, Stereo, 1977).  I wasn't sure he was from around here until I noticed a picture on the back of the sleeve that showed a local pass where I like to go shooting occasionally.

12. Snow Deer by Joe "Fingers" Carr And Ira Ironstrings from the LP Together For The Last Time-Volume 1 (Warner Bros WS1389, Stereo, 1960).  I had a mono version of this recorded and ready to go, then I found the stereo had been in my collection all along and was about 2 feet from the computer.  I guess you have to pay attention...

13. Waltz Of The Flowers (Nutcracker Suite), a rerun by David Rose And His Orchestra-Tenor Sax Solo By Bob Cooper from the LP Concert With A Beat! (MGM SE3852, Stereo, 1960).  I ripped this from a record that I brought back from my recent trip to Atlanta.  I think it was one of the only records I brought back with any Christmas In July content, but I brought a whole bunch of pure Christmas stuff.  That should pay dividends come the holiday season.

And that's it, 13 tracks tonight for a total of 95 for the week.  Not too bad.  Download and enjoy!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 6

I'm a little late tonight, but I've been busy recording more music to share with you guys.  Tonight you get fourteen tracks because I was able to record 14 tracks!  Not the same fourteen, though, only one of them is something I recorded tonight, but you'll get the other 13 eventually.  Let's dive into this pile head first, shall we?  (Oh, and it's theme night!  The theme is "mono".  How's that for adding a little spice?)

1. Angelus Ad Pastores (The Angel To The Shepherds) by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor from the compilation album The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).  OK, so this is what I recorded tonight, over a dozen Christmas carols from the family of the real-life Baron Von Trapp.  I'll sprinkle them into the mix as the month goes on, I think you'll be impressed by some of them.

2. Baby It's Cold Outside Cha Cha by Enoch Light And The Light Brigade from Happy Cha Cha's-Volume 2 (Grand Award GA 33-191, Mono, 1959).  I thought I'd shared this before, but I can't find it in the archives.  Now I need to find the stereo version...

3. A Child's Christmas by Emlyn Williams from A Boy Growing Up (Argo RG 547, Mono, 1968).  Yep, it's a cover of the Dylan Thomas poem.  Is a recitation of someone else's poem considered a cover?  Hmm...

4. Doll Dance by The Triads from the LP Sunrise Serenade (Waldorf Music Hall MHK 33-1229, Mono, 1958).  Not bad...very reminiscent of what The Harmonicats or even The Three Suns were doing at the time, which is probably the whole point of the thing.

5. Giddi-Up by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter and the album A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961).  I'd never heard the song before, and I like it!

6. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by The Salvation Army New York Staff Band & Male Chorus from Classics In Brass (Triumphonic LP-7, Mono).  Do all recordings of Salvation Army bands sound like this?  Don't they rehearse?

7. June In January, a rerun from Don, Dick 'N Jimmy from the LP Spring Fever (Crown CLP 5005, Mono, 1957).  Yes, at one time the notorious budget label Crown actually recorded and released original stuff.  Hard to believe, but true.

8. Our Winter Love by Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra from A Song For All Seasons (Decca DL 4609, Mono, 1965).  Pretty sure this is a rerun.

9. Silent Night from Mahalia Jackson and her album Just As I Am (Kenwood/Nashboro LP 479 (Reissue of Apollo LP from 1958), Mono, 1964).  You can't go wrong with just about anything Mahalia ever released.

10. The Snow Queen by Ireene Wicker, The Singing Lady, Accompanied By Samuel Sanders from the LP Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (Simon Says M-38, produced By Record Guild Of America, Distributed By ABC-Paramount, Mono).  Yep, same Ireene Wicker we highlighted during Christmas, and the second long spoken-word track of the night.

11. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year by The Four Lads With Ray Ellis And His Orchestra from The Four Lads Sing Frank Loesser (Columbia CL 1045, Mono, 1957).  Another rerun, hopefully sounding a bit better this time around.

12. That's What I Want For Christmas as performed by it's author, Irving Caesar, from the LP And Then I Wrote... (Coral CRL 57083, Mono, 1956).  This album appears to be part of a series featuring popular songwriters where they tell stories and perform their well-known songs.  I know there's at least one more in the set that features an artist known for his Christmas repertoire, and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for it.  I found this one in a small antique mall with one booth of records.  I payed too much money for it, but I knew it would be a great addition to Christmas In July, and you guys are worth it.

13. Wedding Of The Painted Doll by Leon Berry, from an album released before his Audio Fidelity heyday, Glockenspiels, Trap And Plenty Of Pipes With leon Berry At The Hub Rink Chicago-Volume 1 (Replica 33x2501, Mono).  I'm not sure exactly when this came out, but I know it's early.  I think he recorded this song again later, too.

14. White Christmas by the General Electric Transcription Orchestra from Ronald Reagan Recommends Award Winning Music From Hollywood (General Electric GE-1001, Mono, 1957).  Yep, there's a big picture of then-actor, later Governor, later President Ronald Reagan on the cover of this one.  I think this may have been a giveaway with some GE appliance, but I don't know that for a fact.  I had a copy of this many years ago before I shared Christmas stuff, but I haven't seen it in years.  I was excited when this one turned up recently in a thrift store, so I went ahead and bought another copy.

And that's it.  Another wide slice of Christmas music from all over the chart tonight, I hope you enjoy it.

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 5

Has it been five days already?  I guess so.  Still a long way to go this month.  Let's jump right in...

1. Look Ahead by The Mariners With Orchestra And Chorus Under The Direction Of Archie Bleyer, Introduction By Arthur Godfrey from Arthur Godfrey's TV Calendar Show (Columbia CL 521, Mono, 1953).  There are three Christmassy tracks on this record, two of which I shared with you last year, one of which kept skipping on me, so I didn't share it.  Not long after that share, I found a very clean copy for a quarter, so here you go.  This may have been a good last-day-of-the-month track, but I thought of that too late.

2. Love-In (December) by Hal Blaine from his album Psychedelic Percussion (Dunhill 50019, Mono, 1967).  Another little blast of psychedelia for your yuletide.

3. The March Of The Siamese Children by Joe "Fingers" Carr from Honky-Tonk Street Parade (Capitol T809, Mono, 1957).  Not really Christmas related, but it always reminds me of March Of The Wooden Soldiers, and it has everything to do with Children, so I throw it in here.

4. Oh, You Beautiful Doll performed by Russ Carlyle And His Orchestra from Russ Carlyle And His Orchestra At Roseland Dance City (ABC-Paramount ABC-253, Mono, 1959).  Well, it has 'doll' in the title...

5. Pure As The Driven Snow by Dorothy Shay The Park Avenue Hillbilly from the reissue LP Coming 'Round The Mountain (Harmony (Columbia) HL 7017, Mono, 1957).  Dorothy Shay has been a little project of mine this year, I've tracked down some of her original 78s and a 10" LP on Capitol.  This isn't much to do with Christmas, but it does mention snow.  I've done worse.

6. Skater's Waltz by 110 Strings, budget label goodness from the 7" record Waltz Favorites (Tops Compact LP 7" 33 RPM 706, Mono).  I think this is the second track this year from a 7" record.  I've seen what I think is this same recording on 12", but ripping the 7" gives me something to talk about.

7. Super Skier, a track about hitting the slopes by The Chad Mitchell Trio from their live LP Mighty Day On Campus (Kapp KL-1262, Mono, 1962).  This track is co-written by Bob Gibson, but I don't remember it featuring on his ski-themed album.

8. Be A Santa by Percy Faith And His Orchestra from the LP Subways Are For Sleeping (Columbia CS 8533, Stereo, 1961).  I've been hunting for this for ages, ever since I first found out he recorded it.  This has to be one of the harder to find Percy Faith records as far as I'm concerned.  But here it is!

9. Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabella by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, another track from the LP University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  I've never been exactly clear on what's going on in this song...

10. Come And Adore by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen from the LP Fifty Golden Years (Mercury SR 60728, Stereo, 1962).  I think this is a rerun...

11. December by Count Basie & The Mills Brothers from their LP The Board Of Directors (Dot DLP 25838, Stereo, 1968).  I know this one is a rerun, possibly one of the best tracks I shared out in 2010, I think it was.  Hopefully, it sounds a bit better this time around.

12. The First Noel by Funtastic 25 and the album Funtastic 25 Children's Songs Volume 2 (ERA BU 4952, Stereo, 1982).  Sometimes, you find Christmas music in the weirdest places.  This record aimed at kids featured a Christmas song at the end of both sides.  Very odd, but I'll take what I can get.  I'm not even sure the name of the group is supposed to be Funtastic 25, but that was all I could figure out from the way it was written on the LP cover and the vinyl.

And that's it for tonight.  I've got to go see if the washer is going to work after I replaced the control panel.  I think it's still got problems, but we'll see.  Here's your link...

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 4

Hello, kiddies, it's that time again, time for another edition of Christmas in July!  It's July 4th, but it's raining outside, so fireworks may not be an option this evening.  If you're rained out, put on some nice Christmas music and take a rest from the heat before you have to get up and go back to work tomorrow.  Let's see what old Ernie Claus has in his bag for you tonight.

1. Satin Doll from Art Mooney And His Orchestra from Jump For Joy! (Kapp KS-3405, Stereo, 1964).  A swingin' version of the Ellington number.  Not much to do with Christmas, but nice.

2. It Happened In Sun Valley by Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band-Vocal By Clancy Hayes from the LP Swingin' On The Golden Gate (RCA Victor LPM-1448, Mono, 1957).  I like this song, I don't think you hear it enough.

3. The Deepening Snow by Bobby Bare from the album Constant Sorrow (RCA Victor LSP-3395, Stereo, 1965), on which Bobby pretends he's Johnny Cash judging by the cover.  Lots of Dylan covers on this one, too.

4. Christmas Carol by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter from A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961).  Another nice track from this LP.

5. Boar's Head Carol by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor from their LP University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  Another track from another LP that I got a whole handful of tracks from.  How else do you think I share out so much music?

6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director from Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).  Yes, third track in a row...

7. One Little Candle performed by Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Joe Marine, Soloist from their album Songs Of Inspiration (Decca DL 8709, Mono, 1958).  I appear to have misspelled Inspiration in the track tags.  What kind of shoddy job am I doing here?  Couple more Fred Waring songs coming up later on in the month.

8. O Come, O Come Emmanuel by James W. Keane from the carillon LP Bells Over Rochester-The World Famous City's Carillon (Tom Jones Recording Studio TJS-11975-A/B, Stereo, 1975).  I always try to squeeze a few carillon tracks in here for you, I hope you appreciate that.  :)

9. Everyday Is Christmas, a classic from Joe Bushkin With Rhythm Accompaniment from the album Piano Music For Two (Columbia CL 602, Mono, 1954).  I think I've shared this before, but not from this LP.

10. June In January from Leo Addeo And His Orchestra and the LP Great Standards With A Hawaiian Touch (RCA Camden CAL-672, Mono, 1962).  Good luck finding a Leo Addeo album that doesn't feature music somehow tied to Hawaii.  They exist, but there aren't many.  Not that it's a bad thing, I'm just mentioning it.

11. Exotic Night, and oddly titled version of What Child Is This?, which is actually just different lyrics for the ancient tune Greensleeves, performed by Martin Denny from the album Exotica Classica-For Those In Love (Liberty LRP-3513, Mono, 1967).  I shared this out ages ago, only in Stereo.  Perhaps I should have waited to find a stereo copy before re-doing it, but I figured why not?  I get impatient sometimes.  Oh, and I couldn't find my original copy.  It's here somewhere, but finding anything in this collection is a challenge.

12. Baby, It's Cold Outside from Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme from the LP We Got Us (ABC-Paramount ABC-300, Mono, 1960).  Speaking of stereo/mono, this is something I've kept an eye out for in stereo for ages, but never found one.  I'll just have to keep looking, I guess...  Oh, this one is a rerun as well.

13. Toyland-March Of The Toys by The Troubadors from the LP Great Melodies From The Operettas Of The Century (Kapp KL-1098, Mono, 1960).  Nice version, this.

14. Danse Arabe (From "The Nutcracker") by Xavier Cugat And His Orchestra from The King Plays Some Aces (RCA Victor LSP-1882, Stereo, 1958).  A rerun, but still nice.  As far as I know, other than a couple pieces from The Nutcracker on this LP, Xavier Cugat never recorded any Christmas music.  Anyone care to prove me wrong?

There you go.  How's everyone liking the music this year?  I think there's some good music here, some good sound, and a nice selection.  I love being able to bring you long and varied playlists, you can really enjoy each download on it's own, listening to half an hour or so worth of music at a time.  Lemme know what you think.  Here's the linky-link for tonight.

MediaFire

Happy Independence Day, America!

Celebration!

Here are a few pictures from last night's pre-Fourth fireworks show. Nothing too special, but you'll get the idea. Now if I don't feel like going out tonight for the big show, at least I've got it covered.

Christmas In July 2012-Day 3

Day the third!  14 more tracks to make you forget that it's over 100 outside.  I'm off shortly to shoot some fireworks on the night before the big night.  I always try to get it out of the way early whenever possible.  We'll see how it goes.  So I need to throw tonight's tracks up quickly here.

1. Some Winter On Nantucket Town by Abe King from his album Nantucket (Abe King WFH 1, Stereo, 1975).  Strictly instrumental, very 70's sounding, but not very Christmassy.

2. & 3.  The Tender Snowdrop (and it's introduction) by Anna Russell With Eugene Rankin from her LP Anna Russell's Guide To Concert Audiences (Columbia Masterworks ML 4928, Mono, 1954).  She's not very well known today, but in certain circles back in the mid-fifties, Anna Russell was the bomb.  Or so it appears from her records.

4. Ave Maria by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, another track from their LP The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861 (From Part 2 "Summer"), Stereo, 1966).  Not bad, not good.

5. Traineau (The Sleigh Ride) by The Camarata Contemporary Chamber Orchestra from the electronic LP The Electronic Spirit Of Erik Satie Featuring The Moog Synthesizer (Deram/London XDES 18066  (Excerpt from Sports & Divertissment), Stereo, 1972).  What a surprise this was!  You did see the word 'Moog' in there, didn't you?  Short, but sweet.

6. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by Ethel Smith from Bright And Breezy (Decca DL 8799, Mono, 1958).  A rerun from back in the day, but still better than anything on her Christmas LP.

7. Frost Over London by George Martin And His Orchestra from his somewhat hard-to-find LP London By George (United Artists UAS 6647, Stereo, 1968).  I was a little disappointed to find that the frost of the title isn't on a field of pumpkins, but refers to David Frost.  I guess all of George Martin's LPs are hard to find, due to their Beatles connection.

8. White Christmas from Gordon Jenkins and his album Gordon Jenkins Conducts 26 Years Of Academy Award Winning Songs (CG CGS 3002, Stereo, 1959).  I don't know, some budget LP from somewhere or other.  I guess Gordon had a few down years in his career and got his name attached to a few shady deals.

9. Doll Dance by Gus Farney from Gus Farney At The Giant Five Manual Wurlitzer Pipe Organ (Warner Bros W 1409, Mono, 1961).  I loves me anything from the WB label in those early years!

10. The Toy Drum by The Harry Simeone Chorale from the double LP The Magic Of Their Singing (20th Century Fox 2xLP TCF 108-2S, Stereo, 1961).  These guys put out a ton of product, but no one has any memory of anything other than The Little Drummer Boy.  Shame, that.

11. Skating Princess (Eisprinzessin) by Helmut Zacharias And His Magic Violins from the album Magic Violins (Decca DL 8431, Mono, 1957).  Not bad, not bad.  I think I need to take a closer look at what I'm sharing out.  I don't seem to be putting up enough repeats.  If I don't spread things out a bit, it'll be 100% repeats at the end, and no one wants that.

12. The Frozen Logger by Jimmie Rodgers With Joe Reisman's Orchestra And Chorus from the LP At Home With Jimmie Rodgers-An Evening Of Folk Songs (Roulette SR 25128, Stereo, 1960).  This is the first of a few versions I've found this year of this tale of a very cold-tolerant logger.  Oddly enough, I think my collection is still missing a stereo copy of Jimmie full-length Christmas effort.  I've got a mono copy, and a cover-only for the stereo version, but no music.  And while I'm whining, I need a copy of the Bonnie Guitar LP, too.  :)

13. My Favorite Things by The New Group and their album What's New (Roulette R 25270, Mono, 1964).  Not the best possible group name they could have picked.  Who expects a second or third album from The New Group?

14. Masters In This Hall, a nice track by the 1978 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor from the privately pressed LP University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).  I've got a bunch of tracks from this one, so I hope you like it.

Short but sweet tonight, I've got to go get ready to take some pictures.  Hope you have a great night, and don't forget to come back again tomorrow for more.

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 2

I've got the tracks selected, the MP3s made, the ZIP file uploaded, all I have to do is list out all the songs and we're ready to go.  What's on tap for today?

1. Powder by The American Breed from the LP Pumpkin, Powder, Scarlet & Green (Acta A-38006, Stereo, 1968).  It's short, a little psychedelic, and the perfect mood-setter for a Christmas night.  OK, maybe not perfect, but it'll do.

2. Winter World Of Love from Billy Vaughn and his album of the same name (Dot DLP25975, Stereo, 1970).  This one is a rerun from way back when, but I wanted to bring it back in much nicer sound.  I've learned so much over the years, I think I'm making much better recordings now than I was four or five years ago.  Maybe by the time I'm sixty, I'll figure out exactly what I'm doing around here.

3. Away In A Manger by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director from the album Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).  I tried to stay away from some of the church records, but I can't help myself.  This one is nicely recorded, I think you'll enjoy it.

4. Little Abou The Camel by The Continental Symphony Orchestra, Narrated By Art Gilmore And Don Wilson from Classics For Children Volume 2 (Capitol T3248, Mono, 1957).  I noticed just today that this track appears to have been taken from an earlier kiddie record that's been shared over at Kiddie Records Weekly.  That issue only mentions Don Wilson, so he's probably the narrator on this track.  The story doesn't have anything to do with Christmas, but the music is adapted from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.

5. It Happened In Sun Valley (Open) by Hap Miller And The Hap Miller Sun Valley Orchestra from the LP of the same name (Stanal Records S-1010, Stereo, 1964).  This is one of several Sun Valley-themed tracks from a record put out by a group who actually performed in the actual Sun Valley.  Some cool tracks here that I'll get to you as the month goes on.

6. Frost Flowers, a song by Ichiro Masuda Quintet from the LP Midnight Vibraphone (JVC-Nivico (Japan) SJV 248, Stereo, 1967).  Yes, I've traveled all the way to Japan to bring you interesting music for Christmas in July!

7. The Reason Everybody Likes Christmas by Jim Mandell With Mary Hylan & Debby James from Action Songs For Holidays And Special Days (Tom Thumb T 312, Stereo, 1979).  Great title for a Christmas song, but I'm not sure the execution is there.  Oh, well.

8. Sleigh Ride by Kurt Wege And His Orchestra, a rerun around here from 21 Channel Sound-A Leroy Anderson Concert (MGM SE 4075, Stereo, 1962).  Sleigh Ride is one of the easier to find Christmas tracks, since it shows up on all sorts of Leroy Anderson tribute albums.  Nice version, though.  Looks like I misspelled Orchestra in the track tags, though.  Sorry...

9. Six Weeks Every Summer, Christmas Every Other Year, a country weeper by Mary-Jane And Carol Neal from the album Country To Classic-An Evening With Mary-Jane And Carol Neal (International Composers 2xLP ICI 613, Stereo. 1981).  I'd never heard this song before, but it looks like it's made the rounds before, covered here by a lounge act of questionable talent.

10. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by The Roger Wagner Chorale With The Capitol Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Roger Wagner, taken from the LP Holy, Holy, Holy (Capitol P8498, Mono, 1959).  I think this is a rerun, but I'm not certain.  All I can say for sure about this version is that it's very long.

11. Song Of Mary by St. Olaf Lutheran Choir-Conducted By Olaf C. Christiansen, and the album is Fifty Golden Years (Mercury SR 60728, Stereo, 1962), the first of a handful of tracks from these guys from two different albums.  I wasn't certain it was two different albums until I finally sat down to record them and compared the track list.  I think both covers have the same, or at least similar stained glass windows on the covers.

12. Snowflake Polka by Walter Ostanek And His Polka Kings from Polka Party (Arc A-609, Mono, 1965).  Arc is a Canadian label that specializes in Canadian content, with a broad range of product.  Remember that Christmas In An English Pub LP I shared out a couple years back?  Yep, that was Arc.

13. 'Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime (AKA Huron Carol) by Winifred Smith from the album Ethnic Folk Songs From The South (The Tennessee Squire Association 630-D-2211, Mono).  Last but not least is a great Christmas carol that you don't hear too often.

That's it, thirteen more tracks.  Hope you're enjoying them.  And thanks for all the comments yesterday!  Keep 'em comin', and I'll keep sharin' the tunes!

MediaFire

Christmas In July 2012-Part 1

You know what day this is, right?  It's July the first, and that must mean it's time to begin celebrating Christmas in July here at Ernie (Not Bert)!  Every July since 2006, I've spent the month sharing little bits of Christmas music with you, but not the same albums I share out during December.  No, July is reserved for bits of non-Christmas albums that are a bit Christmassy, either because they sound a little like Christmas, they mention Christmas, or perhaps they are honest-to-goodness Christmas songs tucked away where you might otherwise never find them.  It's a fun little hobby of mine, to find these things that others have overlooked, record them from the original vinyl and share them with the world.  I hope you'll enjoy them.  This year, I've worked especially hard not only to find these hidden gems, but to get most of them recorded ahead of time, thus allowing me to know about how many I have to share, and to maximize my sharity per day.  I think I'm going to set another record this year, beating last year's mark of 427 tracks!  With this many songs in the folder, my goal is to share a minimum of 12 tracks per day, which is basically an entire Christmas album!  You'll find I'm not a very good sequencer, though, so don't expect the smooth flow of a classic Christmas album.  It's more likely to resemble a thrown-together album from your favorite budget label, with different styles, types, volumes, eras, etc, all thrown into a single playlist, but mixed with a little love.  As usual, all tracks come from my own personal record collection, ripped by my own two hands from a cranky old Numark turntable, recorded into Audacity, filtered through ClickRepair, tagged & MP3d in iTunes and shared out via MediaFire.  Any questions, just ask.  Oh, there is no album artwork, mostly because I'm too lazy to scan the hundreds and hundreds of album covers necessary.  What else?  Same as last year, I've going back and re-recorded a lot of tracks that I shared in previous years, either because I found a new, cleaner copy, a stereo copy, or just because I think I do a better job now than then.  I hope to keep these reruns to less than half of the shares, but I think you'll enjoy the old stuff anyway as a reminder of what great music is out there.  So, without too much ado, welcome to Christmas in July 2012, and let's jump into the deep end!

01. Snow by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors from the album The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2861 (From Part 4 "Winter"), Stereo, 1966). Since most of the east coast of America is in the middle of a heatwave, why not start out with some snow-themed tracks? These should held cool you down and get you in the mood.

02. Snow-Snow by Monte Kelly from Sensations In Sound And Moods I Love (Essex Records 2x7" 45 RPM Es-Exp-111, Mono, 1954), a set of two 7" records that I found without sleeves. Interesting, but I wish I knew more about this.

03. Snowbound by John Davidson-Arranged And Conducted By Nick Perito from what I believe is his first album The Young Warm Sound Of John Davidson (Colpix SCP 485, Stereo, 1965). You did know that John Davidson was a singer before he was a gameshow host, right? This tune was the title track for a Ferrante & Teicher seasonal LP before this version, and the common thread is writer and bandleader Nick Perito, who worked on both albums.

04. Winter Song by The Gene Lowell Chorus from Halls Of Ivy (Warner Bros WS 1244, Stereo, 1959). This is the first song I'm sure is a rerun from days of old. This is one of those songs that I keep an eye out because it's fairly likely to turn up outside of the usual Christmas or seasonal albums.

05. The Friendly Beasts by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter from A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961). The month is young and this is my second share of children singing. Hopefully, this trend isn't too annoying. At least they are professional children on a real label, not some vanity pressing from a junior high school. But don't worry, I've got plenty of those waiting for you, too.

06. Hallelujah by The Eric Rogers Chorale And Orchestra from the album Glory, Glory, Hallelujah (London Phase 4 SP 44028, Stereo, 1963). The first appearance of the Handel classic this month, and most certainly not the last.

07. Wedding Of The Painted Doll from Fred Hartley and the LP The Twin Pianos Of Fred Hartley (Richmond (London) RPS 39003, Stereo, 1962). Not really a Christmas tune, but I've been fairly liberal with the themes of dolls and toys in my collecting this year. I hope you don't mind.

08. Bells Of St. Mary's, played by Jerry Byrd on his album Satin Strings Of Steel (Monument MLP 8033 (Reissue of Memories Of Maria MLP 4008), Mono, 1962). I like to find versions of familiar songs on unfamiliar instruments, or at least in unusual settings, and this song on the steel guitar fits in with that theme quite nicely. Can you dig it?

09. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy by guitarist Laurindo Almeida from Reverie For Spanish Guitar (Capitol SP 8571, Stereo, 1961). You're going to see lots of songs from The Nutcracker show up around here during Christmas in July. I've tried to keep it tamped down to a dull roar, and I don't remember recording any entire side-long versions this year, but you never know. If I ever run short of tracks, there are a whole lot more dime-store versions in the pile to be recorded.

10. Ave Maria by Lawrence Welk-Violin Solo By Dick Kesner-Vocal By The Glee Club from Songs Of Faith (Coral CRL 57191, Mono, 1957). The first of many different versions of this song, as well as others of the same name. I can't even keep track of them all. Are they all Christmas, well, sorta.

11. Greenwillow Christmas (Carol) by The Melachrino Strings from Music From Frank Loesser's Greenwillow (RCA Victor LSP-2229, Stereo, 1960). A rerun around these parts, but this time in Stereo, so certainly worth a reshare.

12. Good Night Sweet Mind by Ogden Nash With Music Composed And Conducted By Glenn Osser from The Fanciful World Of Ogden Nash (Capitol SW 1570, Stereo, 1961). I just found this LP yesterday, and I went ahead and recorded the whole thing! Ogden Nash is just great in my humble opinion, and I hope you think so as well. This is the first of two tracks I'll share with you this month, and this one didn't pop out at me as being appropriate until I heard it. You'll wonder why it's here until he gets into his story a bit, then you'll understand immediately. The cover on this one is by Hirschfeld, with his very recognizable fluid style and NINA in the haircut. Should I mention the great Ogden Nash Christmas album?

13., 14. & 15.Introduction To 'A Visit From St Nicholas', A Visit From St. Nicholas, Segue-From Christmas To The Civil War (Excerpt) by the great Vincent Price from the LP America The Beautiful (Columbia Masterworks ML 5668, Mono, 1961). Wow, this is what makes hunting for Christmas music so much fun. I was so excited when I found this album last year, I almost shared it out during Christmas, but I knew it would make a great contribution to Christmas in July, so I held off. Why I'd never heard of this before, I have no idea. I mean, one of the greatest masters of American horror, a movie icon, and he recorded a Christmas story! This is just great. I've broken it into three tracks, an introduction, the story, and a coda that links this to the next recitation on the album. Those of you wanting to put this on your own Christmas albums will probably just want to use that middle one, but I wanted you to get the full experience.

OK, that's day one and a whole lot of typing. I hope I can keep this up. Sharing 12 or more tracks for day is a whole lot more work than two or three. We'll see. But remember, comments are like fuel to bloggers. Here's the link, see you all tomorrow.

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