Christmas In July 2020-25

Is this the 25th part? I think it is. I loose track of where I'm at most days. For the first time in months, I ripped some Christmas in July music for you today.  Everything I've been sharing has been in the books for months, but today I was finally able to shake off some doldrums and put some vinyl on the turntable.  And then on the fourth or fifth record I recorded, it turned out to be a 78 RPM and needed the fatter needle.  So I got that all sorted out, then the third side I wanted to rip had a big needle dig on it, and I've been trying to get that to play through for the past couple of hours. But after a lot of time and effort, and some backwards recording, I think I finally got the track to sound correct.  Of course, it's a Thanksgiving track, so you might not get to hear it until the end of the month. But I had to share the story of all my work with you, just in case this post goes up a little later.  We'll see.

1. I Will Carol In The Morning by an unknown artist from Music For The Choral Ensemble Vol. XV-Young Choir Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-3500, Stereo, 1983). Demo track number one. This was one of the tracks I finished up today for you. Pretty sure I ripped the vinyl a few months ago, but I just finished the work this afternoon. Hope it was worth the trouble.  It was a double album, and all the stuff was on the first LP. But it was too warped to record.  After messing with it for a while, I lost the will to mess with vinyl for a long, long while.

2. Winter Games (1988 Winter Olympic Theme), by who-knows-who, from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988). Demo track number two, but at least it's kind of interesting and Olympics related.

3. Ave Maria by The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box from Old Music Box Melodies (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).

4. I Saw Three Ships by yet another unknown artist from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Not a demo recording, but not far from it.

5. Peace On Earth by Pinellas Park Senior High Chorus-William Renfroe, Director from Choral Sounds 1977-1979 Volume 1 (Suncoast Recording Service KM 3668, Stereo, 1979). I kinda liked this one.

6. Hansel And Gretel-Evening Prayer (Act II) by Christopher Lynch, Tenor, With Eugene Bossart, Piano, And With Orchestra Conducted By Paul Affelder from Bless This House-The Children's Hour (Columbia Entre RL 3016, Mono).  OK, so it's not Christmas, but it could be...

7. Moonlight In Vermont by Jr. Walker And The All Stars from Soul Session (Soul (Motown) SM 702, Mono, 1966). You can never go wrong with a little dose of Motown.

8. Winter Song by Maplewood Glee Club, Warren G. Schmoll-Director, Rosalind Dobie-Accompanist from Maplewood Glee Club 1965-Maplewood Community Recreation Service (HMR Productions RC-94 (AKA RC-134) Side 2-1965 Winter Concert, Mono, 1965). Still lovin' the local stuff.

9. Skaters Waltz by George Wright from Sweet And Low (HiFi Records Life Series L1011, Stereo, 1963). How many versions of this one have I shared in the last week? Pretty sure there are more to come, so I hope you're enjoying it.

10. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra from Academy Award Hit Songs-All 34 Winners 1934 to 1967 (London 2xLP CHA S-1, Stereo, 1969). Another song from the nice double album.

11. Chime Bells by Coleen & John from their self-titled album, Coleen & John (U.A. Recording UA-FSD-1190, Stereo). Not sure if this has anything to do with Christmas or not...

12. This Little Babe by Okemos High School Concert Choir from Sixth Annual Albion College Invitational Choral Festival (Delta DRS81-128, Stereo, 1981).  Still more to go from this LP.  The get-together must have been sometime near the Christmas season.

13. Shepherd's Pipe Carol by The Cantata Singers In Quakertown, Ifor Jones Conducting, Bonnie Fix Keller At The Organ from A Service Of Lessons And Carols (CS CSQ1001, Stereo, 1975). Another one with lots and lots of tracks.

14. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) by Children's Choirs Of First Methodist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Director: L. Campbell Bunting, Organist: Jan Birtcil from Great Hymns For Children-Album 2 (Graded Press MPH-1299, Mono, 1963). Pretty sure I have other volumes of this one somewhere.

15. Maris Walks Among The Thorns by Regina High School Chorus-Ms. Marianne Antonich, Director from Christmas & Spring Concerts 1977-1978 (Melody Recording KM 2623, Stereo, 1978). I'm guessing this isn't the same Maris who used to be married to Frasier Crane's brother Niles.

And that's it.  I didn't think I was done because I mis-numbered one of the tracks above and my could kept coming out wrong. But I've got it all fixed now.  Here's the download, have a good night!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 18

Good morning!  Here's your daily dose of nut-cracking good music, courtesy of Frederick Stock Conducting The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, from the album Nutcracker Suite-Tchaikovsky (Columbia/Entré RL 3002, originally recorded 1939, Mono). Yep, a real professional outfit here on a major label.  Sure you'll enjoy this one!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-24

Friday!  Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday! Friday Friday.  Friday. Friday, Friday, Friday.

1. Cantique by Pinellas Park Senior High Chorus-William Renfroe, Director from Choral Sounds 1977-1979 Volume 1 (Suncoast Recording Service KM 3668, Stereo, 1979).  This is as good a place to start as any.

2. Hodie Christus Natus Est by Wagner College Choir-Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, Conductor from Wagner College Choir (Recorded Publications Company Z-33971/33972 (Staten Island, New York), Mono). The trouble with these homemade jobs is that they're hard to date.  Some of them tell you the date right in the title, but many of them don't.  It would take a lot of research in just the right newspapers to put a date to these things.

3. Procession by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). Finally, a professional job.

4. Go Tell It On The Mountain by The World Action Singers Of Oral Roberts University-Joyce Lampkin, Soloist-Arranged And Conducted By Ralph Carmichael from Oral Roberts Presents (Light LS-5520-LP, Stereo, 1970). Music from  one of the old-school TV preachers.

5. Carol Medley by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo). Not sure who Carol is, but this is her medley.

6. Toyland by Al Goodman And His Orchestra from Relax With Victor Herbert (RCA Victor LPM 1023, Mono, 1954). A track from one of the very first 12" LPs released on RCA Victor (they started with LPM 1001).

7. Six Feet Of Snow by Little Feat from Down On The Farm (Warner Bros HS 3345, Stereo, 1979). In case you needed a little more classic rock after yesterday.

8. Moonlight In Vermont by Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra, Voice Of Lois Winter from Let's Get Away From It All (Decca (MCA) DL 74723, Stereo, 1966).  If there's not enough Christmas content in this song for you, at least the vocalist is named Winter...

9. A Babe Is Born by South Denver High School Choir-Richard B. Eichenberger, Director from The South High School A Cappella Choir 1954-1955 (Colorado Recording Company LP-4 Transparent Red Vinyl, Mono, 1955). Some Christmas from the Mile High City.

10. The Winter Of My Discontent by Anthony Newley Accompanied By Ray Ellis And His Orchestra from In My Solitude (RCA Victor LSP-2925, Stereo, 1964). Did Ray Ellis ever release any real Christmas music? I need to look him up.

11. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by an unknown artist from Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983). The first demo track of the night.

12. Let There Be Peace On Earth, Conducted By Jay Dawson, from Arrangers Publishing Company-Marching Band (Arrangers Publishing Company 2xLP APC 107, Stereo, 1991). And the second one, even though this one has an actual artist.

13. Today Is Born A Child On Earth by Lutheran High School West Concert Choir from 25th Anniversary Of Cleveland Lutheran High Schools - Commemorative Album 1948-1973 (United Sound Recorders USR 5036, Stereo, 1973). Back to Ohio, as usual.

14. December-Christmas by Yevgeny Svetlanov Conducting The U.S.S.R. Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky-The Seasons (Columbia Masterworks/Melodiya 2xLP MG 35184, Stereo, 1978). Keep in mind how the world was arranged when this LP came out. Russian artists didn't appear on American labels, it just wasn't done. This was only a couple of years before Reagan came along and heated up the Cold War, but it was still a war at the time, and Russia was the enemy.

15. Silver Bells by The Murk Family With Accompanist Betty Bowman from Holiday Musicale (Sacred Knof Recordings SKR-LP-1170, Mono).  Good track from the Murks.

And that's it.  In case you've forgotten already, it's Friday!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 17

Finally Friday!  Here's your Nutcracker for the day.  It's so cheap that they didn't even give anyone credit for it. For all I know it's the same as another version I've already shared, but I don't care.  This one was pulled from Music For A Sunday Afternoon (Tiara TMT 7548, Mono). My notes tell me that the track titles aren't listed on the sleeve or the label, but they were banded on the vinyl.  So I gave them the most common names for the eight tracks.  This is really budget label stuff here.  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-23

What day is this? No, really, I've forgotten.  Oh, it's Thursday. Good, tomorrow is Friday.  I may make it to the weekend. I made you an extra large helping of tracks tonight, just to whittle down the pile a little bit faster. I'm still too tired to do the math and see how many songs to share each day, but it'll sort itself out, it always does. Here we go.

1. Echo Carol by an unknown group from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Oh, forgot to mention, the track pile I want to whittle down is the one that has all these demo recordings in it.  So expect a few more here as we go along.

2. This Day Our Lord Is Born by Junior Choir-Judith Jarve, Director-Mildred Karpinen, Organ from Grace (No Label NR8513 (Calumet, Michigan), Stereo, 1977). Lots of kids singing.

3. The Marvelous Toy by Boardman And Andress from Excerpts From The Music Book (Holt, Rinehart And Winston P16966 Demonstration Record-Not For Sale, Stereo, 1983).  Sort of a demo record, but with narration.

4. Les Patineurs (The Skaters' Waltz) by Douglas Gamley-National Philharmonic Orchestra from The Skaters Waltz, Espana & Other Waldteufel Favorites (London Treasury (Decca) STS 15572, Stereo, 1982). Obligatory ice skating song.  I guess it's not specifically ice skating, but I don't think they had roller skating when it was written.

5. Snow Frolic by Frances Lai from Love Story (Paramount PAS 6002, Stereo, 1970).  Yep, another Christmas tune from the sappy movie.

6. Navided Nuestra-Los Pastores (Chaya Riojana) by Los Fronterizos-Cantoria De La Basilica Del Socorro-Directed By Father R.P. Segade-Conducted By Ariel Ramirez from Misa Criolla-From The Argentine-A Folkloristic Expression Of Religious Emotions (Philips (Netherlands) 6527 136, originally released 1964, Stereo, 1980). More Argentine Christmas music via The Netherlands.

7. Adoramus Te Christe by The Choir Of Mary Baldwin College-Gordon Page, Director from The Choir Of Mary Baldwin College, 1958-1959 (Herman Schultz Recordings K8OP-4687/88, Mono, 1959). Not strictly Christmas, but you know...

8. (Now I'm) Out In The Cold Again by The Five Man Electrical Band from Sweet Paradise (Lion (MGM) LN 1009, Stereo, 1972). Yep, a song from the hippies that brought you Signs.

9. The Sound Of Music-Excerpt (My Favorite Things) by William Steinberg And The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from Symphonic Pictures Of Lerner & Loewe's My Fair Lady And Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music (Command Classics/ABC CC 11041SD, Stereo, 1968). Pretty sure this record was just two side-long medleys of music from the plays. I edited the bit out that I wanted and left the rest buried in the vinyl.

10. Jingle Bells by the unknown artists at Silver Burdett Records, taken from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966). I love these records that have a lot of music on them that I can share, but they get boring after a while. Sorry about that.

11. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by The Glasgow Orpheus Choir, Conducted By Sir Hugh Robertson from Favourite Songs (Starline (UK) SRS 5124, Electronic Stereo, 1972). Written by our old friend Johann Sebastian.

12. Ave Maria by The Senior Chorus-John N. Kehayas, Conducting, from The Pittsburgh Public Schools Spring Music Festival-Senior High Schools Concert (MobilTone Studios MTS-05089-2-B, Mono, 1969).  Looks like we're back over in Pennsylvania now.

13. Let There Be Peace On Earth by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist, Soloist-Ruth Tormala from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Back in Ohio.

14. White Christmas (From "Holiday Inn") by Nelson Eddy from There's No Business Like Show Business-The Magical Songs Of Irving Berlin (Book-Of-The-Month Records 4xLP 60-5256, originally recorded 7/16/51, Mono, 1978).  When you see a collection devoted to Irving Berlin and his music, you gotta check for White Christmas and I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.

15. Away In The Manger by an unknown artist from Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983). I told you there were more demo tracks coming.

16. Do You Hear What I Hear, another unknown artist, this time from Superior New Works For Concert Band Vol. XV-Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications JP-5100, Stereo, 1984). And more.

17. A Seasonal Suite, again with the unknown artist, now from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980). And another.

18. November-"Troika" (Sleigh Ride) by Yevgeny Svetlanov Conducting The U.S.S.R. Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky-The Seasons (Columbia Masterworks/Melodiya 2xLP MG 35184, Stereo, 1978).  More Russian music performed by Russians.

19. Carol Medley: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Silent Night by The Murk Family With Accompanist Betty Bowman from Holiday Musicale (Sacred Knof Recordings SKR-LP-1170, Mono).  More good stuff from the Murk family.

20. A Babe Is Born by who-knows-who from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  Sorry had to slip one more demo track in here for you.

And that's it for tonight.  A lot of songs, but hopefully some things that are worth your time.  Give it a download and a listen, then come back and let me know what you think.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 16

Now that we've made it past the halfway point, well, nothing's really going to change. I've still got a nutcracker a day for you for the time being.  Today's version is by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra (or Kosty to his friends), from the LP Nutcracker Suite + Music Of Tchaikovsky (Columbia Masterworks ML 4151, Mono, 1950). I believe Kostelanetz was Russian, just like Tchaikovsky, so perhaps he was a special feel for this music.  Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-22

Wasn't sure I was going to be able to get this up for you tonight, but I've got a few minutes here and I'm going to post tonight's share for you. As usual, I hope there's something in here you'll enjoy.

1. Christmas In The Air by an unknown artist from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Starting (and ending) again tonight with demo recordings.  Hope they're not the same song again...

2. Were You There On That Christmas Night? by Senior Choir-Mildred Karpinen, Organ from Grace (No Label NR8513 (Calumet, Michigan), Stereo, 1977). I didn't know there was a Calumet in Michigan.  I'm only aware of Calumet City outside Chicago, and that's only from The Blues Brothers.

3. Snowflakes by Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings from Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  For my money, the best track from this LP. I've shared it before, but never in stereo. Though listening to it, I think it's just a re-write of Holiday for Strings.

4. Chilly Winds by Nancy Ames-Arranged And Conducted By Joseph Scianni from I Never Will Marry (Liberty LST-7329 Audition Record, Stereo, 1963).  What is this, the fourth version I've shared of this song this year?

5. The Childhood Of Christ-Repose Of The Holy Family by The Stockholm Concert Orchestra-Conducted By Hugh Ross from The Majesty Of Sacred Music (Word W-4027-LP, Mono, 1966). I wonder if this was recorded in Stockholm, or if it just used their orchestra? I don't remember what the liner notes had to say about it.  That's a big drawback of recording all this stuff ahead of time, I can't remember details about some of the stuff.

6. Bells Ring by some unknown folks from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Whoops, this one is labelled as a New Year's song, so I should have saved it for the end of the month.  My bad, I got in a hurry.

7. Gloria by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Chorus-William Bent, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972). I don't think this is the hit by Them...

8. Joseph by John Ylvisaker from A Love Song (Avant Garde AV-112, Stereo, 1968).  Like this one, I don't remember much about the record at all...

9. Interlude For Harp by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). You need more harp in your holiday.

10. E Is For The East, Where A Bright Star Shone by Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). How much of the alphabet do they devote to the birth of Jesus? Quite a bit, it turns out.

11. The Penguin by Dave Harris And The Powerhouse Five from Dinner Music For A Pack Of Hungry Cannibals (Decca DL 4113, Mono, 1961). I know penguins are from the opposite pole as Santa Claus, but I'll take any chance to share another Raymond Scott tune.

12. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo). For whatever reason, they appear to have credited this song to Irving Berlin instead of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I get those two confused all the time, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

13. The Skaters Waltz by Arturo Toscanini And The NBC Symphony Orchestra from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite (RCA Victor Red Seal LRY 9000, mono, 1953).  This may be the only instance this season where a share a selection from a record that I've also shared a complete version of The Nutcracker Suite. That doesn't seem to be a common occurrence.

14. The Star And The Wisemen by The Mennonite Hour A Cappella Men's Choir; Audrey Shank, Contralto from The Stranger Of Galilee-A Musical Portrait Of The Life Of Christ (Word WST-8436-LP, Stereo, 1968).  Those Mennonites sure do like to sing. And pies, they like pies too.  Lots of Mennonite restaurants around here are noted for their pies.

15. The Holly And The Ivy by an unknown artist from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980). As promised, another demo track.

That's the end. Enjoy the music!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 15

And, that brings us to day 15, pretty much the halfway point of the month. In honor of your having made it this far, I present to you what I think it the single most exciting version of The Nutcracker Suite that I have recorded for you this month. It's one that has sat in my collection unnoticed for a long time.  But I finally picked it up this year and read what it said on the cover. All I needed to see was Arp Synthesizer and I knew I had a winner.  This is Kraft & Alexander Performing On The Arp Synthesizer from the album Tchaikovsky-1812-Nutcracker Suite (London/Decca SPC 21168, Stereo, 1977).  Yep, it's the whole thing cut into a rare four parts and all performed by two guys and some electronic instruments. It's straight outta the Main Street Electrical Parade!  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-21

Good evening! Welcome to part 21 of the July festivities!  Hope you're having a blast, and maybe the music is making you feel a little bit cooler.  Low around here last night was 84 degrees, I need all the Christmas spirit I can get.  Here're fifteen more tracks you feel the spirit.

1. (All I Want For Christmas Is) My Two Front Teeth; Christmas Morn Is Coming (Excerpt) by an unknown artist, and taken from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988).  Yes, the demo tracks just keep on a'comin'.

2. Joy To The World by Steve Erquiaga, Frank Martin & Kenneth Nash from Spectrum-The Colours Sampler (Colours SPCN-7-100-14782-4, Stereo, 1985). Interesting version, but very New Age.

3. Merry Christmas, Doctor by Nichols And May from The Best Of Mike Nichols And Elaine May (Mercury SR-60997, Electronically Created Stereo, 1965). Some Christmas psychiatrist comedy for you.

4. Sleigh Ride by Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra from The Music of Leroy Anderson, Vol. 1 (Mercury SR90009, Stereo, 1958).  The bestest of the Leroy Anderson songs I've got to share this season.  A real classic.

5. Frosty Morning Blues by Bessie Smith from Any Woman's Blues (Columbia 2xLP G 30126 (Originally recorded 1924), Mono, 1970). Everything that's old comes around again.

6. Freischutz Prayer by The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box from Old Music Box Melodies (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).  Is this a Christmas song? It was mixed in with the other Christmas music on the record, so I went ahead and grabbed it.

7. Out In The Cold Again by Frankie Lymon from Soul Souvenirs Of Yesterday (AKA The WOL Soul Brothers Present Their First Anniversary) (Roulette R-25337 (Radio station WOL, Washington, DC), Mono, 1966).  From one of those seemingly ubiquitous oldies compilations put out by your local radio station. This is the third or fourth version of this song that I've shared this season.  Previously, I think I'd only ever seen one version.

8. Toyland (From The Operetta "Babes In Toyland") by the great Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra from Dance With Me! (RCA Camden CAL-329, Mono, 1956).  Monroe almost has enough Christmas music in his catalog to make an album. I need to see if I can dig up some old transcription discs somewhere to make a full Christmas album. I know I have three or four recordings of Let It Snow that he did, but I doubt if anyone needs to hear all of those on one album. Wait, does he even sing on this one?

9. A Christmas Song by the unknown artist at Silver Burdett Records, and coming from the LP Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966). Lots of songs from this one.

10. Alleluia, Glorious Is Thy Name by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Chorus-William Bent, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972).  Local group done good.

11. The Village Of St. Bernadette by Ronnie Brown With Orchestra Under The Direction Of Henri René from Presenting The Velvet Piano Of Ronnie Brown (Columbia CL 1492, Mono, 1960).  Never heard of the main artist here, but Henri Rene is great!

12. Spring Carol by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp-Victor Lederer, Soprano-Tim Kimsey, Alto, from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973).  Is a Spring Carol anything like a Christmas Carol?  Maybe...

13. Do You Hear What I Hear? by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Another record from which I pulled a lot of tracks this year.

14. The Skaters' Waltz by Reginald Dixon from Tiger Rag (Starline (EMI) (UK) SRS 5056, Stereo, 1971). Because you can't have too many version of a calssic.

15. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth by an unknown group on Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983).  We started with a demo track, we may as well end with one. And interestingly enough, it's even the same song.  Sorry about that.

And that's it for tonight.  Thanks for following along.  Hope you're finding some treasures in there once in a while.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 14

Almost to the halfway point of the month here, and I've still got plenty of versions of The Nutcracker Suite in the folder for sharing.  Hope you're enjoying them!  Tonight's version is by Boris Tolstov Conducting The Leningrad Philharmonia Orchestra, that's right, an actual Russian performance!  Or at least that's who it's credited to.  There's always the possibility that it's a pseudonymous version when the artist is a name you aren't familiar with.  The album is Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake And Nutcracker Suite (Dyna-Disc SCH-825, Stereo, 1960).  Interesting note here is the presence of the track March.  It was on the vinyl, and banded by itself, but it wasn't listed on the sleeve or the label. So quality control is not the strong suit of this label.  Anyhow, enjoy the music, and I'll be back with more tomorrow.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-20

How about that, 2020-20, that's a lot of 20's.  But I've still only got 15 tracks for you tonight. I didn't think far enough ahead to try and do that.  I did briefly think about sharing 1 track on day one, 2 tracks on day two, etc, etc, but I quickly did the math and it didn't work out right. But enough blather, let's see what's in the share tonight.

1. Two Carols (From Midnight Mass For Christmas), by an unknown artist from the LP New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980).  A demo track.

2. Young King, by a presumably different unknown artist, this time from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  I had to double up on the demo recordings because I've forgotten to include them a few days now.  I may have to dump even more of them before the month is over, there are a lot of them.

3. Slumber Song Of The Infant Jesus by The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir-Robert G. Hamilton, Director from The Frankford High School A Cappella Choir Sings '61-'62 (Acoustic Arts Recording Studios LP 126 (Philadelphia, PA), Mono, 1962). This song is probably better known as O Come, O Come Emmanuel. At least that's the title I'd give it if I couldn't see the sleeve.

4. Toy Symphony-Allegro by Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Stuttgart-Rolf Reinhardt, Conductor from A Musical Joke; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Toy Symphony (Vox PL 9780, Mono, 1956).  The first part of this symphony which doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but it has a toy theme.

5. Christmas Festival: Deck The Halls; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Good King Wenceslas; Hark The Herald Angels Sing by United States Air Force Academy Band from Seasons Greetings From The Men & Women Of The United States Air Force (No Label 2xLP No Number (Side 2-Christmas From The Air Force Academy), Stereo). This is a good one, as you might expect. Almost all of the military band records I've found have been excellent.

6. A Boy Was Born by Capital University Chapel Choir-Craig S. Arnold, Director from Serenade (No Label 1985-87, Stereo). Could that catalog number be a hint as to the date? I'm not sure.

7. Moonlight In Vermont by Tony Mottola And The Quad Guitars from Tony Mottola And The Quad Guitars (Project 3 PR5078 SD, Stereo, 1973).  From the universe of Enoch Light.

8. Introitus by The Slovakaires, Organ Accompaniment By Sr. M. Eugene Prolop, O.S.F. from Christmas With The Slovakaires (Pav Records PAV 666, Stereo). Yes, it's more Christmas music from Slovakia!

9. Troika by Jo Basile, His Accordion And Orchestra from Moscow With Love (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5940, Stereo, 1960). You were looking for some accordion Christmas music?  Well, here you go.

10. Button Up Your Overcoat by Connie Francis from Connie & Clyde (MGM SE-4573, Stereo, 1968). I think it was only a day or two after I had recorded this that I realized the name of the LP was Connie & Clyde, not Bonnie & Clyde.  Sometimes you have to learn to read again.

11. My Snowman by an unknown group from the LP Sing The Happy Romper Room Songs (Peter Pan 8121, Stereo).  No idea who this might be, though I have vague memories of watching Romper Room when I was little.  Very vague.

12. Jolly Old St. Nicholas by Don Wilson from Christmas Ain't Over Yet! (Or, Yes, Virginia, There Is A Don Wilson!) (No Label RC 108/RC 107 (Side 1 subtitled "Don Wilson's Christmas Record"), Mono).  No, I don't know who Don Wilson is either.

13. Greensleeves by Norman Roye On The Electronic Wurlitzer Organ from Midnight Moods (Design DLP 70, Mono, 1957).  Some budget label filler for your enjoyment.

14. Must Be Santa by Raffi With Ken Whiteley from Singable Songs For The Very Young (Shoreline/Rounder 8051, Stereo, 1976).  Mitch Miller, Lorne Greene, Bob Dylan and now Raffi!

15. Out In The Cold Again by Rusty Warren, Arranged & Conducted By Jack Pleis from Rusty Warren Sings Portrait On Life (Jubilee JGM 5025, Mono, 1964).  Yes, you read that right. The Rusty Warren, well-known sex-X-ponent, from an album of straight singing.  Must not have sold very well because this is the only copy I've ever seen.  So excited to find something on there I could share with you.

And that's fifteen in the pile.  Good stuff in there today, I hope you agree.  Here's the download, see you again tomorrow with more.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 13

It's time once again for Nutcracker in July, our daily dip into the broad and vaied world of the Tchaikovsky classic.  Today we've got a version by Symphony Orchestra Of The Belgian National Radio Conducted By Franz André from the album Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite-Serenade For Strings (Telefunken TCS 18001, Stereo, 1958).  I'm sure you'll enjoy it, even if it does sound pretty much like the previous 12 versions.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-19

Good evening!  The weekend may be over, but here's a little more Christmas music to make it last a bit longer. I think this may be the longest share so far due to the inclusion of a couple of really long pieces.  Hope you like it!

1. My Favourite Things by Maureen Hartley And Shirley Chapman, Orchestrated And Conducted By Sam Fonteya from The Sound Of Music (Music For Pleasure (UK) MFP 1007, Mono, 1965). You can tell it's from the UK because of the U in Favourite.

2. Song Of The Bells by Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra from The Music of Leroy Anderson, Vol. 2 (Mercury SR90043, Stereo, 1958). We hadn't seen any Leroy Anderson in a while, so I figured we were due.

3. I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing by The Porter Twin Disc Music Box from Music Box-Past And Present (Porter Music Box Records 104, Stereo, 1985).  Yes, it's the Coke Christmas song as played by a music box.

4. March Of The Toys by Skitch Henderson, His Piano And The Stereosonic Strings From Autumn In New York (Mount Vernon Music MVS 107, Stereo).  Gotta love the Skitch Henderson.

5. Christmas Oratorio-The Sinfonia by The Stockholm Concert Orchestra-Conducted By Hugh Ross from The Majesty Of Sacred Music (Word W-4027-LP, Mono, 1966).  By Bach, I believe.

6. Atlas Eclipticalis + Winter Music + Cartridge Music (Simultan) by Ensemble Musica Negativa-Dir.: Rainer Riehn from Avant Garde (Deutsche Grammophon (Germany) 137 009, Stereo, 1969). The writing credit on this one is John Cage, but I don't know how much of it he wrote.  After a lot of confusion, I decided they were playing all the compositions at once, they weren't individual tracks.

7. I Wonder As I Wander by The Roger Wagner Chorale, Solo-Salli Terri from Folk Songs Of The New World (Capitol P8324, Mono, 1956). Good stuff.

8. Jolly Coppersmith by Al Melgard from Al Melgard At The Chicago Stadium Organ-World's Largest Theatre Pipe Organ (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5886, Stereo, 1958). I saw this on a Christmas record a long time ago, but I don't think it's really a Christmas song. But that never stops me.

9. The Angel Band by an unknown band from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  Lots of tracks from this one.

10. Variations On A Theme By Prokofieff by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Concert Band-Bernard Rightmyer, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972).  Some of my favorite classical Christmas music.

11. Snow Queen by The Kiddie Playhouse And Orchestra from An Hour Of Fairy Tales-Tales Of Hans Christian Anderson (Altone AST-224, Mono, 1957).  I haven't shared too many stories with you this year.

12. D Is For A Little Donkey That Went To Bethlehem by Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). I rather enjoy these little alphabet bits from Anita Bryant, but I haven't gotten any comments about them.  I guess you folks aren't as excited by them.

13. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8 "Christmas" by Dean Eckertson, Virtuosi Orchestra from Pachelbel: Kanon And Other Baroque Favorites (Sine Qua Non SQN-7772, Stereo, 1976).  Lots of Classical Christmas today for some reason.

14. The Toy Trumpet by Dave Harris And The Powerhouse Five from Dinner Music For A Pack Of Hungry Cannibals (Decca DL 4113, Mono, 1961). I was so excited to find this record, and then doubly so to see there was something on it could share out as Christmas.  I only wish it had been a stereo copy.

15. Two Traditional Carols by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  Bringing up the rear with the ladies from Ohio.

Another good day of Christmas music, lemme know what your favorite is.  Here's the link...

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 12

Up next, more Nutcracker!  Today's version is by the incomparable Arturo Toscanini And The NBC Symphony Orchestra from the rather obviously titled LP Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite (RCA Victor Red Seal LRY 9000, Mono, 1953). As is the rule, the flip side of this one was items other than the Nutcracker, which is why I'm allowed to feature it here.   If the Nutcracker were the only thing on the record, I'd have to skip it. I know, I know, you don't want to hear about the rules, you just want to hear the music.  Link is below, see you later on.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-18

Good evening all!  Hope you've had a good Saturday so far, here's a little something to make it even better, fifteen more Christmas songs!

1. Bell Carol Fantasy by an unknown artist for Superior New Works For Concert Band-Advanced Edition-Volume 23 (Jenson Publications 2xLP CB23A88AD, Stereo, 1988). Yep, another demo recording.  Seems to just be a version of Carol Of The Bells.

2. Moonlight In Vermont by Stan Kenton from Barricini Presents Candy Suite (Capitol Custom TB 221/222, Mono). An album that was put together as a promotional piece for a candy company.

3. Silent Night by The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box from The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).  We haven't heard anything from a music box lately, so here's a little something-something for you.

4. Toyland by Magic Violins from Magic Violins Play The Memories Of Victor Herbert (Magic Violins Vol. 7) (Magic Violins SS-2507/DS-2507, Stereo). You remember the Magic Violins, don't you?

5. Navided Nuestra-El Nacimiento (Vidala Catamarqueña) by Los Fronterizos-Cantoria De La Basilica Del Socorro-Directed By Father R.P. Segade-Conducted By Ariel Ramirez from Misa Criolla-From The Argentine-A Folkloristic Expression Of Religious Emotions (Philips (Netherlands) 6527 136, originally released 1964, Stereo, 1980). Interesting stuff.

6. The Little Drummer Boy by St. Edward's Parish Choir-Conducted By Mark J. Sullivan from A Century Of Worship And Service (Saint Edwards Church, Newark, California 802-30, Stereo, 1979). Not really from a century ago, but it feels like it sometimes.

7. Ave Maria by Ekseption-Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from Ekseption00.04 (Philips (UK) 6423019, Stereo, 1971). A very different version from a very different record. I'm not even sure I got the name of the group or the title correct.

8. What Shall We Do? by Silver Burdett Records from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  I know Silver Burdett Records isn't really a group, but I'm getting tired of saying unknown artist all the time.

9. Trees Of Christmas by Brookside Jr. High School Music Department-Advanced Orchestra-Ernesto Epistola, Conductor from Winter Concert-Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 1971 (United Sound USR 4026, Stereo, 1972). Another track from a local group recorded at a local venue.

10. Song Of Mary by Wagner College Choir-Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, Conductor-Karin Eriksen, Soprano from Wagner College Choir (Recorded Publications Company Z-33971/33972 (Staten Island, New York), Mono).  Not a whole lot more I can say about this, other than I've been to Staten Island a time or two.  Never made it any further inland than the ferry station, but I've been.

11. The Ice Cream Man by Kai Winding from Kai Winding (Verve V/8556, Mono, 1963).  Not much to do with Christmas, but at least it's cold.

12. In Freezing Winter Night by The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973). Ah. those boys from Texas again.

13. Venite Adoremus by The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo).  These local groups are great, aren't they?

14. Winter: a. Introduction b. Dance Of The Hail by Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra from Glazunov The Seasons Ballet Suite (Columbia Masterworks M 31077, Stereo, 1972). A little more classical than we're used to around here, but it's still good stuff.

15. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Lenny Seidel-Pianist from The Glory Of God's Seasons (Grace Unlimited GU-002, Stereo). Finally, a real Christmas song.  Enjoy!

And that's it for tonight.  Enjoy!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 11

Happy Saturday!  Time for your cracked nuts of the day.  Today is by Sir Adrian Boult With The New Symphony Orchestra Of London from the LP Tchaikovsky's Greatest Ballets (Quintessence (Pickwick) PMC 7010, Stereo, 1976).  Quintessence seems to have been an attempt at an upscale product from budget label Pickwick. I guess they weren't as budget as some, they did a lot of licensing of real tracks and albums as well as cut rate versions of songs, but they were always short albums.  Maybe 10 tracks instead of twelve, or even less in some cases.  It's a long sordid tale.  But anyhow, here's another Nutcracker Suite for you, as told across eight tracks.  Enjoy!

MEGA

A Blast From The Past 1

Something I've been meaning to do for a long time now is finish up the Best-Of collections from older Christmas In July celebrations. I've previously put out collections from 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2015. As you can see, things got a little sporadic at the end, and I missed a few years when I moved in with my then-girlfriend (some things are more important that Christmas music). Not sure how I managed to squeeze in a 2015, actually, but it seems to have happened somehow. Anyhow, I didn't do another Christmas in July until 2017, but I've done them pretty steady since that year. However, I haven't done any best-of collections since that one in 2015, until now.  I finally got my act together and put some artwork into a usable format, I put the tracks I had set aside so long ago into a single folder. I did some rudimentary sequencing (very rudimentary), tried to rename everything in a consistent manner, renumbered the original tracks, put them into a ZIP file, and here it is for your enjoyment!  It's a long 46 tracks, which I didn't really split up into two discs, though I'm sure it won't fit onto one. Does anybody still put things on disc?  I guess not... Anyhow, here's the tracklist for you.

1) Vic Damone-Arr. & Cond. By Norm Geller-The Sal Carson Orch.--Christmas In San Francisco
2) Mieke And Nina--Sint Nicolaas Potpourri (St. Nicholas Medley)
3) The Ringers On-The-Green--Fum, Fum, Fum
4) Bob Lowry With Joseph Kahn-Piano--Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
5) The Wyld Ryce Band--Christmas In Your Heart
6) Ted Heath And His Music--Baby Doll (Theme From "Baby Doll")
7) Earl Grant With Chorus And Instrumental Accompaniment Directed By Thurston Frazier--Children Go Where I Send Thee
8) Silver Burdett Records--African Noel
9) Friends Of Fiddler's Green (Bob & Evelyne Beers, Martha & Eric Nagler And The Boyer Family)--The Peace Carol
10) The Goodies--Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me
11) Jose Melis, His Piano And Orchestra--March Of The Flowers
12) Glenn Yarbrough--We Won't Freeze
13) Hugo Montenegro, Moog Synthesizer Performed By Eddie Kalehoff--A Hazy Shade Of Winter
14) Gloria Lynne With The Earl May Trio--On Christmas Day
15) Kitty Kallen & Richard Hayes--Silver Bells From The Paramount Picture "The Lemon Drop Kid"
16) Jo Stafford With Orchestra Conducted By Paul Weston--I Wonder As I Wander
17) The Somerset Strings--The Bells Of St. Mary's
18) Leslie Uggams-Arranged And Conducted By Glenn Osser--Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
19) The Kermit Leslie Orchestra--Walking On Ice
20) The Murk Family With Accompanist-Arranger Betty Bowman--Winter Medley: The First Snowfall Of The Winter; Winter Wonderland; Frosty The Snowman; Let It Snow; You Belong To Me; We've Got Our Love To Keep Us Warm
21) The Big Band Swing Sound Of Charles Bud Dant Featuring Singing Instrumentals By The Clark Sisters--March Of The Toys
22) Harry Koenig--White Christmas
23) The New Singing Sergeants With The US Air Force Band--We Need A Little Christmas, From "Mame"
24) Liz Anderson--The Spirit Of Christmas
25) The San Sebastian Strings-Narrator: Gene Merlino, Vocal Solo: Anita Kerr--When Winter Comes
26) The Singers Unlimited--Snowfall
27) Anne-Charlotte Harvey Accompanied By E. Craig Ruble, Stephen Gammell And Maury Bernstein--När Juldagsmorgon Glimmar (When Christmas Morning Gleams)
28) B. Bumble & The Stingers--Nut Rocker
29) Adele Addison And The Jubilee Singers--Go Tell It On The Mountain
30) Country Joe And The Fish--Dirty Claus Rag
31) The Tokens--Perhaps, The Joy Of Giving
32) Arlo Guthrie--The Pause Of Mr. Claus-Edit
33) Frederick Fennell, Eastman Wind Ensemble--Christmas Festival
34) Tony Fontane--Christmas
35) Jimmy Newman--Blue Lonely Winter
36) Toni Arden With Chorus And Orchestra Conducted By Earl Sheldon--Ave Maria
37) Pete Seeger--Allelulia/Joy Upon This Earth
38) Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra--Adeste Fideles March
39) Trio Shmeed-Orchestra Conducted By Don Costa--Winter Time
40) Joe Harnell And His Trio--Sugar Plum
41) The Norman Luboff Choir--Still, Still, Still (Austria)
42) Zacharias And His Magic Violins--Northern Lights (Nordlicht), Polka
43) The McNulty Family--Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake
44) Guitar Magic--God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
45) Gordon Jenkins And His Orchestra--Blue December
46) The Lions--Happy New Year Twist (Auld Lang Syne)

I told you it was long.  It's also surprisingly good. Some months ago I dumped all my favorite old tracks from Christmas in July onto a disc of MP3 files, and put it in the car player.  That was almost 5 months ago and it's still in there.  Of course that was during a national pandemic that has greatly restricted the amount of time I spend in the car, but I still drive back and forth to work every day.  My point is, it's very listenable, and very enjoyable.  Lots of new and unfamiliar songs, nice versions of classics, and some nice not-strictly-holiday stuff to break up the sameness.  I'm sure you will enjoy it.  No guarantees on the other missing years, or even that I'll be able to upload the old ones anytime soon, but we'll see.  For your Christmas in July enjoyment, here is The Very Best Of Christmas In July From Ernie (Not Bert) 2017!

MEGA

PS-Saint Nicholas Avenue is in NYC somewhere near the middle of Upper Manhattan. I remember we were on our way to the oldest private home on the Island, and then we walked across The High Bridge.  So where is that, Washington Park?  Something like that. I wasn't surprised when I spotted it, the place did used to be called New Amsterdam after all.

Christmas In July 2020-17

Happy Friday!  Are you ready for some more Christmas music?  I hope so, because that's all I've got for you.  Let's see what's in the bag!

1. A Christmas Celebration by who-knows-who from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980).  A surprisingly long demo medley, though with lots of fades between sections.

2. The Winter Of My Discontent by Jackie And Roy from The Glory Of Love (ABC-Paramount ABC 120, Mono, 1956). For those who don't know, this is Jackie Cain & Roy Kral, a couple who had quite the long career on records.

3. Jingle Bells by The Alley Singers...Phil Stern And Al Brennan from Side By Side (RCA Victor LPM-1629, Mono, 1958).  Supposedly, these two are actually Freddy Morgan and Mousie Garner from Spike Jones' band. The rest of the album is a bit less straightforward than this track, but it's still not quite up there with Spike.  But who is, really?

4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Midway Christian Church Choir, Rev. Roy Roberson-Director, Mrs. David Phillips-Organist from In Our Own Way We Praise (Midway Records LP 1800 (Midway, Kentucky), Mono). Have we heard from this group already this year?  I can't remember and we're only ten days in...

5. Wassail by The Cantata Singers In Quakertown, Ifor Jones Conducting, Bonnie Fix Keller At The Organ from A Service Of Lessons And Carols (CS CSQ1001, Stereo, 1975). Now this one I know we've seen already this month.  Not sure why my eyes keep being drawn to stuff I've already shared from when there are so many LPs I haven't even started into yet.

6. Go Tell It On The Mountain by Princeton Theological Seminary Choir-Dr. David Hugh Jones, Director from Princeton Seminary Choir (RCA Victor LPM-1903, Mono, 1959). And another one we've seen again and again already.

7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Les Brown And His Band Of Renown from That Sound Of Renown (Coral CRL 57030, Mono, 1956).  Was this the hit version? I don't think so, I believe the hit was on Columbia, though it came out after Les had left the label.  But I'm going from memory here, so I could easily be wrong.

8. Brazilian Sleigh Bells by George Wright from George Wright Plays Organ Classics Volume IV (Picc-A-Dilly PIC-3337, Stereo, 1980).  I believe this is the exact same version I shared with you earlier in the season, but from a cleverly disguised reissue. Sorry about the duplication.

9. At The Town In The Snow by Carmen Cavallaro-The Poet Of The Piano from Cherry Blossom Time-Popular Melodies Of Japan (Decca DL 74545, Stereo, 1964).  From his LP of Japanese songs and melodies.

10. Jelly Belly by Jon Thomas from Big Beat On The Organ (Mercury Wing SRW-1658, Electronic Stereo, 1963). Don't know why I thought this might be Christmas related, but I liked the cover image of a large beet on an organ keyboard. Oh, I remember, I grabbed it because of Santa's belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly!

11. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year by Dennis Farnon And His Orchestra from Caution! Men Swinging (RCA Victor LPM-1495, Mono, 1957). Caution!

12. Schnee Walzer-Snow Waltz by Marv Herzog from One More Polka Before We Slow It Down (Sound Sound-1061, Stereo, 1974). Haven't had a polka in a while, so here you go.

13. O Hearken Ye by Regina High School Chorus-Ms. Marianne Antonich, Director from Christmas & Spring Concerts 1977-1978 (Melody Recording KM 2623, Stereo, 1978). Some high school hijinks.

14. Greensleeves by The Brussels World's Fair Orchestra, Conducted By Peter Plum from Strings Around The World (Omega Disk OSL 23, Stereo, 1958).  This was the world's fair that featured that building that looked like a giant atom. I think it was on the cover.

15. Holiday For Strings by David Rose And His Orchestra from The Very Best of David Rose-David Rose And His Orchestra Play The Compositions Of David Rose (MGM SE 4155, Stereo, 1963). You knew this was coming, didn't you? I've shared out all his other holiday-titled songs, so this one was all I had left.

And that's it, fifteen more tracks!  Gotta be something in there you'll enjoy.  Let me know your favorites.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 10

It's lunchtime, so it must be nut time!  That's right, another installment of Nutcracker In July, where I share yet another treatment of Tchaikovsky's masterwork, The Nutcracker Suite.  Today it's a version in eight parts care of Warwick Symphony Orchestra and the album Nutcracker Suite/Carnival Of The Animals (Camden (RCA) CAL-100, Mono).  Pretty sure this is the very first release on the Camden label, a budget arm of RCA.  Not quite able to pin a solid date to it, though. And I'm betting it's a fake band, but we'll have to wait and see if that's true.  Have a listen after you download it and let me know who you think might be the real performers here.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-16

Hola!  Welcome to part 16! Hope you're having a good time so far, we're not about to stop now!

1. Jesse Crawford-Gems By Victor Herbert, Medley a. March Of The Toys b. I'm Falling In Love With Someone c. Kiss Me Again d. Gypsy Love Song from The Poet Of The Organ At His Ballad Best...At The Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ 1927-1929 (Doric 2xLP DO 1214/DO 1215, Mono, 1975). I believe this collection brings together old radio transcriptions.

2. Yevgeny Svetlanov-Philharmonia Orchestra-Scene 1: Winter, Introduction-Four Variations (Frost, Ice, Hail And Snow) & Coda from Glazunov: The Seasons (Angel S-37509 (Quadraphonic), Stereo, 1978).  A long one here, and in quadraphonic no less.

3. Dick Kesner-Ave Maria from A-One A-Two! This Is Lawrence Welk (Coral 2xLP CX-3, Mono, 1959). I'm sure I've brought you this track before, but not from this collection of Lawrence Welk songs that came out a few years after their original release.

4. Wagner College Choir-Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, Conductor-The Happy Christmas from Wagner College Choir (Recorded Publications Company Z-33971/33972 (Staten Island, New York), Mono). Happy happy, joy joy, as they say.

5. The Texas Boys Choir-George Bragg, Conductor-Sydney Laudenslager, Harp-Wolcum Yule! from Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols-Gregg Smith: Bible Songs For Young Voices (Vox Turnabout TV-S 34544, Stereo, 1973).  They're boys, and they sing, and they are accompanied by a harp.  A perfect storm!

6. Anita Bryant-Arranged And Conducted By Robert Mersey-C Is For Cradle, A Little Bed For A Baby from The ABC Stories Of Jesus (Columbia CS 8675, Stereo, 1962). I thought Jesus was born in a manger, not a cradle? Maybe we'll find out when we get up to the letter M.

7. The Singing K-NETS (The Kansas Nazarene Evangelistic Teens) And The Bell Ringers-Rev. Wendell Miller, Director-Joybells from I'm Going Higher Someday (No Label LH-4760/4761, Stereo).  What's this?  Handbells! Yes!

8. The Women's Ensemble Of Bethany Lutheran Church, Melodie Bollman-Director, Eleanor Peura-Accompanist-Silver Bells from The Ensemble Sings (Century Advent Recording LRS-RT-6062 (Astabula, Ohio), Stereo). When I was a young whippersnapper, maybe third or fourth grade, I had a girlfriend, right up until she moved to Astabula. So I still hate that place.

9. The Kokosingers-The Things We Did Last Summer from 1967 Kokosingers (No Label 220-2 Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, Stereo, 1967).  If I remember correctly, this group of college kids had the most professionally done album cover I have ever seen.  When I first found it, I had to pull it out just to see who it was, thinking it was a classic rock album I'd somehow never seen.  But then it turned out to be a group of guys from a small college in Ohio, and when I saw a song on there I could share here, bonus!

10. High School Honor Band (Southeast Iowa)-Art Swift, Iowa State University, Guest Conductor-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring from Third Annual Southeast Iowa Honor Band Festival (Century 29566, Stereo, 1968). High school kids, but with a college conductor.

11. The Philharmonia Orchestra-Herbert Von Karajan, Conductor-Skaters Waltz from Philharmonia Pop Concert (Angel 35327, Mono, 1956).  This one sure looked like a budget release, but Angel is a major label in the classical world.  Odd...

12. Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra-Fluter's Holiday from Living It Up (Decca DL 4374, Mono, 1963).  I was surprised to see that Kaempfert wrote this and not David Rose.  Seemed like his sort of title.

13. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by an unknown artist from Warner Bros. Finest For Concert Band (Jenson Publications JP-3900, Stereo, 1983).  Believe it or not, there are still quite a few of these demo records in the pile that I didn't record.  I just couldn't bring myself to do any more of them.

14. Little Johnny Everything And His Sister Judy With The Norman Leyden Child's World Orchestra-I Want To Meet Santa Claus from Fun For Everyday With Little Johnny Everything & His Sister Judy (RCA Victor Children's Bluebird Records LBY-1005, Mono, 1958). I shared this last year, but then I found a much cleaner copy sometime since then.  But when I went to record it, there was one track I wanted that just kept skipping.  So you just never know what you're going to get out of those grooves.

15. Richard Purvis-Greensleeves from A Richard Purvis Organ Recital In Grace Cathedral Vol. I (HiFi Record R-703, Mono, 1956).  From the label that brought you my very earliest favorite shares, The Town Pipers and The Surfers. Also the long-time home of Arthur Lyman.

That's the end, gotta be something in there for you today.  Leave me a comment and let me know what track is your favorite.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 09

Time to break some more nuts open, it's your daily dose of Nutcracker In July!  Today's version is by Concertgebouw Orchestra Of Amsterdam-Eduard Van Beinum, Conductor, yet another European orchestra, from the LP Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a; Ravel: Bolero; La Valse (Epic (CBS) BC 1027, Stereo, 1958).  Epic was a budget subsidiary of CBS at the time, so technically this is a budget label version, but I think it's a little nicer that that label might suggest.  And a very early stereo version. Only three tracks here, Miniature Overture, the Characteristic Dances (all lumped into one) and The Waltz Of The Flowers.  Probably still the same length as any other version though (which is pretty long to be crammed into a single LP side).  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-15

Hello!  Welcome back! Or if this is your first visit, welcome in!  It's nice and cool inside, take off your coat, grab some nog and find a seat by the fire.  There's plenty of Christmas music to be heard here tonight, so settle in and enjoy!

1. March Of The Toys-Conducted By Jay Dawson from Arrangers Publishing Company-Marching Band (Arrangers Publishing Company 2xLP APC 107, Stereo, 1991).  That's odd, it's a demo album for your marching band, but it's actually credited to someone.

2. Ave Maria-The Singing Nuns Of Jesus And Mary from The Singing Nuns Of Jesus And Mary (Diplomat/Ambassador XS-1019 (AKA SX-1019), Stereo). A budget label version, but not too bad.

3. Behold That Star-Maplewood Glee Club, Warren G. Schmoll-Director, Rosalind Dobie-Accompanist, David Graf-Solo from Maplewood Glee Club 1965-Maplewood Community Recreation Service (HMR Productions RC-94 (AKA RC-134) Side 2-1965 Winter Concert, Mono, 1965). I'll tell you this, some of these homemade recording aren't too bad.  And they frequently highlight songs that aren't as well known as what you hear on commercial recordings. I think I could easily put together a best-of that's just local group recordings.  Or maybe you could, and share it here in the comments for me.  :)

4. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers From "Chauve Souris"-Richard Hayman And His Orchestra With Harmonica Choir from Harmonica Holiday (Mercury SR 60953 (Later Reissue of 1961 original), Stereo).  I think on the original release of this, it was just credited to his harmonica orchestra, no chorus involved. Certainly a different and unique version of this old chestnut.

5. Red Silk Stockings And Green Perfume-Ray McKinley And His Orchestra from Ray McKinley's Greatest Hits (Dot DLP 3740, Mono, 1966).  Nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, except that you hang your stocking by the fireplace.  Maybe it's silk, I don't know... (For more, and much older, Ray McKinley, check out my buddy Buster's blog.  He recently posted some hard-to-find original recordings from Mr. McKinley.)

6. Shiny Stockings-Billy May from Bill's Bag (Capitol "Dimensions In Jazz" ST 1888, Stereo, 1963).  While you're hanging your stocking by the fireplace, you may as well hang a second one.  And I can't pass up a chance to post more by the great Billy May.

7. The Lion In Winter-Sandy Nelson from Rebirth Of The Beat (Imperial LP-12424, Stereo, 1969). I kinda wish that Sandy Nelson had recorded a full Christmas album at some point.  That could have been awesome.

8. Moonlight In Vermont-Larry McNear At The Wurlitzer Electric Organ from Tones And Tempos (Paragon No Number, Mono).  Organ music, because I can!

9. White Christmas-Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra from Academy Award Hit Songs-All 34 Winners 1934 To 1967 (London 2xLP CHA S-1, Stereo, 1969).  Yep, a bonafide Christmas hit from a well-known artist that I'm betting you haven't heard before.  I get lucky once in a while.  Don't think I'd ever seen this one before this year.

10. Bring Us In Good Ale-The Purcell Singers Conducted By Imogen Holst from Gustav Holst (1874-1934) Songs And Part-Songs (Argo ZRG 512, Stereo, 1969). I imagined this was kind of a riff on The Wassail Song, that's why I grabbed it.  And the conductor is none other than the daughter of the composer, so there's that.

11. Bells Of St. Mary's-Long Island Banjo Society-Plectrum Solo By Fred Ross from Happy Music (Long Island Banjo Society LIBS 2, Stereo, 1970).  Yes!  Christmas on the banjo!  That reminds me, I think Hee Haw is on, I gotta run...

12. Benedicamus Te-South Haven High School Choir from Sixth Annual Albion College Invitational Choral Festival (Delta DRS81-128, Stereo, 1981).  Does this have anything to do with Christmas?  I didn't check, I just saw the Latin name and figured sure, why not.

13. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel-Princeton Theological Seminary Choir-Dr. David Hugh Jones, Director from Princeton Seminary Choir (RCA Victor LPM-1903, Mono, 1959). A Christmas song from the might RCA label.  You know that's worth a listen. Many years ago, I attended the wedding of a college buddy, and there were a bunch of us there who had all gone to UF together.  The bride's side of the tent was all her college buddies from Princeton. It got to be a bit of a contest as the night wore on to see who was going to party harder and later. We gave it a pretty good try, but when they started jumping into the Chesapeake Bay naked, we had to call it a night. Plus they had Einstein on their side.

14. Winter Wail-Johnny Dankworth And His Orchestra from Jazz From Abroad (Roulette Birdland SR 52096, Stereo, 1962). A little jazz break will do you good.

15. Holiday-The Bill Shepherd Singers from Aurora-The Bill Shepherd Singers Sing Bee Gees Hits (Atco SD 33-262, Stereo, 1968).  Bringing up the rear, a cover of the Bee Gees classic.

And that's it for now, maybe I'll get busy and post more later, but I doubt it.  I need sleep more.  Here's the link, see you tomorrow!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 08

Are you ready for your nutcracker tracks of the day?  Bit of a weird one today, though.  It's five tracks, and they've skipped a few of the usual suspects.  No Miniature Overture, no Chinese or Russian Dances. And there are dropouts like crazy, so let me apologize in advance. Oh, also, you get to hear about Tin Flutes instead of Toy Flutes. No Reed Pipes anywhere to be seen. It's just a mess all around.  The artist is Ira Wright And His Orchestra and the LP is Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite; 1812 Overture (Bell SBLP 32, Stereo, 1961).  I'm sure I don't need to tell you this is a budget release. Enjoy, if you can.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-14

Hello!  And Welcome to part 14!  What does that mean? I don't know, I just know we're somewhere in the middle of the month and I'm struggling to keep up.  Shouldn't have worked 12 hours today.  Anyhow, here's a new stack of songs for your Christmas in July enjoyment!

1. The Twelve Days Of Christmas by an unknown artist from New Vistas For Concert Band Vol. VII (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-1100, Stereo, 1980). Another day where we start off with the demo track.

2. Trio: The Gabriel Sisters-Mary Lou, Connie Joe, Colleen-Accompanist: Jeanne Eichten-Directress: Mother Jean Griffin, O.S.U.-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Villa Maria Presents...'64 (Tom Jones Recordings TJ-2926, Mono, 1964).  Nice one here. And another set of mysterious initials.  OSU, I don't think that has anything to do with Ohio...

3. Battle Creek A Cappella Choir-Mary Had A Baby from Sixth Annual Albion College Invitational Choral Festival (Delta DRS81-128, Stereo, 1981).  I'm guessing the Battle Creek means this one is from Michigan.

4. The Cantata Singers In Quakertown, Ifor Jones Conducting, Bonnie Fix Keller At The Organ-In Dulci Jubilo from A Service Of Lessons And Carols (CS CSQ1001, Stereo, 1975). Didn't Mike Oldfield do this track somewhere? Pretty sure...

5. Samantha Jones-Rain On Snow from Call It Samantha (Ascot (United Artists) AS 16027, Stereo, 1968).  Pretty sure the sleeve or the label had this listed as Rain In Snow, so I had to listen to it to make sure I got the right title. The things I go through for you guys.

6. Princeton Theological Seminary Choir-Dr. David Hugh Jones, Director-Jesus Gentle Babe (A Joyous Christmas Song) from Princeton Seminary Choir (RCA Victor LPM-1903, Mono, 1959).  This one is a joyous Christmas song, I can tell because it's in the subtitle.

7. Big John Hall-Go Tell It On The Mountain from Mr. Bass (Temple Records LPT-313, Mono, 1964). I figured Thurl Ravenscroft was Mr. Bass, but then along comes this guy trying to claim the title. Hmm, it's got some bass, but I don't know if he's got Thurl beat.

8. Air University Band Maxwellaires, Vocals-A1C Sally Bus, A1C Michal Figueroa, SrA Kirk Garrison, Sgt Dave Brown, Trumpet Solo-A1C Eric Kawamura-Jingle Bells from Air University Band's 42nd Anniversary Glenn Miller Christmas Concert (United States Air Force 510081X (Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL), Stereo, 1985).  More military goodness here.

9. The Living Voices-Gaudeamus Igitur; Winter Song; Rambling Wreck From Georgia Tech from Living Voices On The Campus (RCA Camden CAL-715, Mono, 1962).  Somewhere in that medley is a winter song.

10. Percy Faith And His Orchestra-March Of The Toys from The Columbia Album Of Victor Herbert (Columbia 2xLP C2S 801, Stereo, 1958). Some people will say that you can't have Christmas without Percy Faith.  For those people, this track is for you.

11. Jim Mandell With Mary Hylan & Debby James-The Reason Everybody Like Christmas from Action Songs For Holidays And Special Days (Rhythms Productions/Tom Thumb T 312, Stereo, 1979).  Music for the kiddies, but there's no reason you adults can't enjoy it too.

12. Ira Wright At The Organ-Ave Maria from Organ Favorites (Concertone 2053, Mono). Can't go a full day around here without an organ track.

13. David Rose And His Orchestra-Holiday For Trombones from The Very Best of David Rose-David Rose And His Orchestra Play The Compositions Of David Rose (MGM SE 4155, Stereo, 1963).  When David Rose is around, every section of the orchestra gets it's own holiday.

14. Razzberry Reynolds And His All-Star Polka Band-Cradle Polka from Beer Barrel Polka Time (Bel Canto SR/1003 Transparent Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1957).  Today's obligatory polka track. You think Razzberry Reynolds is his real name?

15. Orchestra Of The Vienna Volksoper-Franz Bauer-Theussl, Conductor-Les Patineurs (The Skaters), Op. 183 from Emile Waldteufel Famous Waltzes (Musical Heritage Society MHS 7239W, Stereo, 1985). I don't think I've shared too many versions of this classic waltz with you so far this year.  That may change...

And that's it for now.  Fifteen tracks closer to a complete collection.  Here's a download link, have at it!

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 07

Good afternoon!  Are you ready for some more nutcracker? Well, today's version is by Stanley Black Conducting The London Festival Orchestra from the LP Tchaikovsky-Nutcracker Suite/Serenade For Strings (London Phase 4 SPC 21022, Stereo, 1967).  It's the fully-tracked 8-song version, and there are some good arrangements in here. And at least we know that Stanley Black was a real person. Hope you're enjoying all the different versions this month. Plenty more still to come.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-13

Good morning! Back to work after a long weekend.  It's rough.  Here's a little something to help get you through your day.  Some real good stuff in here today, I'm sure you'll find a few keepers.

1. I Will Carol In The Morning by an unknown artist from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  Getting the demo stuff out of the way first today.

2. O Holy Night by Helen Harbourt Zingg, Soprano-Male Chorus Of Union Congregational Church-Julius C. Zingg, F.A.G.O., Organist And Director-Helen Harbourt Zingg, Soprano from Union Choir Sings (Mirrosonic Custom CM 7135, Mono). That's gotta be one of the longest artist names I've shared with you.  Not just the Helen part, but the whole list of names involved with this one.  It just goes on and on and on.

3. Westminster Carol by The Handbell Choir Of St. James Methodist Church, Olney, Philadelphia-Eleanor C. Thompson, Director from Sacred And Secular Music (Magnetic Recorder And Reproducer Corp. MRR-397, Mono, 1963). Yes! More handbells!

4. Icicle Bells (Allegro) by Moe Koffman from The Four Seasons (GRT Of Canada 2xLP 9230-1022, Stereo, 1972).  Interesting, very interesting.

5. Hallelujah Chorus (From "The Messiah") by John Klein At The Schulmerich "Carillon Americana" Bells from The Call Of The Carillon (RCA Victor LSP-2255, Stereo, 1961). I'm not sure this is how Handel heard it in his head.

6. Narodil Sa Kristus V Betleheme by The Slovakaires, Organ Accompaniment By Sr. M. Eugene Prolop, O.S.F. from Christmas With The Slovakaires (Pav Records PAV 666, Stereo). I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of international Christmas music for you this month.  You're going to have to make do with this stuff from Slovakia. Could be worse...

7. Snowflake Polka by Johnny Pecon And His Orchestra With Lou Trebar from Jukebox Polka Favorites (Delta International DI-7024-LPS (Previously released as Dana 1282, 1960), Stereo, 1972).  Gotta love the polka Christmas music!

8. Puer Natus Est by Kenneth Wilson, Organist, from Christmas At The Castle/Kenneth Wilson Celebrates (AFKA HCM101/S-4665, Stereo, 1981). I don't think the LP jacket told us where the Castle in question was. If it did, I didn't make a note of it.

9. Holiday For Percussion by West York Area High School Percussion Ensemble-Alan Wyand, Director-Dick Schory, Guest Conductor from Sound Of Percussion (Frank Taylor Sound Service No Number, Mono, 1965).  How about that? It's a private recording of a high school performance, guest conducted by the composer of the song, who turns out to be the great Dick Schory! Pretty impressive!

10. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Neal Hefti And His Orchestra from Concert Miniatures (Vik (RCA) LX-1092, Mono, 1957). Some sorta-Christmas music by the great Neal Hefti, on a tiny subsuduary of RCA. Nice.

11. Saturnian Sleigh Ride by Shorty Rogers And His Giants from Portrait Of Shorty (RCA Victor LPM-1561, Mono, 1958). Shorty was a pretty big deal at the time, so I was excited to find something from him that I could include here. I knew that Christmas was celebrated on Mars, but I didn't know about Saturn until I found this.

12. Prelude On Greensleeves by Richard Ellsasser from Richard Ellsasser At The Conn Organ (Sacred LPS-4039, Stereo, 1964). I believe there are a couple of full Christmas albums by Mr. Ellsasser in the archives (here and here).

13. Sleigh Ride by Dick Marx, Piano, And Johnny Frigo, Bass from Piano Solos With Bass Accompaniment (Coral CRL 57088, Mono, 1957).  This is the sort of thing I love to find. Good Christmas music, right in the middle of a normal album. Great!

14. Moonlight In Vermont by Brook Benton from Songs I Love To Sing (Mercury SR 60602, Stereo, 1960). I know some of you don't count this as a Christmas song, but in the hands of the right artist, playing up the wintery bits, it fits in just fine.

15. Jingle Bells by Paul Anka from Diana (ABC-Paramount ABC-420, Mono, 1962). A little bit of a ringer here, because the track is taken from Paul's early Christmas album, but still legal, because I pulled it from a different album filled with his best tracks to that stage in his career.

And that's it.  A good mix today, I think.  Something for everyone in there.  Here's the download link, see you later.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-12

Good evening, and welcome back.  Well, this is the end of my time off for the Fourth, so after today there will probably be fewer posts per day.  I don't want to run out of music before the end of the month, but I wanted to be sure there were plenty of shares right here at the beginning. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of great music in the pile, it's just going to get shared out a little more slowly. Speaking of a pile, let's see what's in the pile for today.

1. Christmas Night In Harlem by Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra Starring Johnny Mercer And Jack Teagarden from Paul Whiteman 50th Anniversary (Grand Award GA 33-901, Mono, 1956).  Not the original, but a great hi-fi version recorded for Enoch Light in the mid-fifties.

2. I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing by Georgina Stewart from Children Of The World-Multicultural Rhythmic Activities (Kimbo Educational KIM 9123, Stereo, 1991).  An educational kiddie record featuring the Coca-Cola Christmas song.  Gotcha.

3. Ave Maria by David Hughes With Gilbert Vinter & His Orchestra, David Bell: Organ from Songs You Love (Music For Pleasure/EMI MFP 1262, Stereo, 1968). Maybe I'd know more about this one if I were from the UK, but I have no idea who this is.

4. Navided Nuestra-La Peregrinación (Huella Pampeana) by Los Fronterizos-Cantoria De La Basilica Del Socorro-Directed By Father R.P. Segade-Conducted By Ariel Ramirez from Misa Criolla-From The Argentine-A Folkloristic Expression Of Religious Emotions (Philips (Netherlands) 6527 136, originally released 1964, Stereo, 1980). More Christmas music from the Argentine.

5. O Come All Ye Faithful by St. Edward's Parish Choir-Conducted By Mark J. Sullivan from A Century Of Worship And Service (Saint Edwards Church, Newark, California 802-30, Stereo, 1979). I've shared a bunch of tracks from this one, and I've misspelled parish each and every time.  Sorry.

6. The Great Snow Man by Bobby Bare And The Hillsiders from The English Country Side (RCA Victor LSP-3896, Stereo, 1967).  A little explanation on this one.  You know Bobby Bare, I think, but The Hillsiders were some unknown British beat group.  Someone at RCA decided the thing they needed to release next was a joint record between a country artist and a Beatles rip-off. I guess maybe they saw where the early Beatles had recorded a couple of country songs, and they thought this was the next step. I'm not sure it worked.

7. Moonlight In Vermont by Billy Butterfield And His Orchestra from Dancing For Two In Love (Westminster WP 6006, Mono, 1956). Westminster is one of those labels I always take a look at.  I've found a bunch of good Christmas records on this label, from Ferrante & Teicher through Dick Leibert to Basil Rathbone reading the Gospel of St. Luke.  It's an eclectic label.

8. Little Elves by the nameless elves at Silver Burdett Records from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record II (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 2, Mono, 1966).  I suppose music can be educational, but I don't know if this counts.

9. Bugler's Holiday by Rafael Mendez With Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Kurt Graunke from Trumpet Spectacular (Decca DL 74351, Stereo, 1963).  More Leroy Anderson goodness.

10. Mary Had A Baby by Pinellas Park Senior High Chorus-William Renfroe, Director from Choral Sounds 1977-1979 Volume 1 (Suncoast Recording Service KM 3668, Stereo, 1979).  Pinellas Park isn't too far away from me, and they have a good record store up there, so I try to make it up there often. Love the local stuff.

11. White Christmas Medley by The Bob Locklin Singers from Up For Grabs Happiness 1973 (No Label 2xLP No Number, Mono, 1973). I know nothing more than you do about this one.

12. Snowy Morning Blues by James P. Johnson from Jazz Piano-A Smithsonian Collection (The Smithsonian Collection Of Recordings/CBS 6xLP R 039 (Originally recorded 3/7/27), Mono, 1989). Love to find something I can share in these big collections of old stuff.

13. Alleluia From Brazilian Psalm by Wagner College Choir-Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, Conductor from Wagner College Choir (Recorded Publications Company Z-33971/33972 (Staten Island, New York), Mono).  Not sure if the college is on Staten Island, or just the company that made the record.  Hard to tell sometimes.

14. Winter's Sadness (From Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto) by The Fantastic Strings Of Felix Slatkin from Fantastic Strings Play Fantastic Themes (Liberty Premier Series LSS-14021, Stereo, 1963).  More Tchaikovsky that isn't The Nutcracker.

15. Winter Games (Can't You Feel It) by an unknown artist from Marching Band '88 Vol. 2-Feel The Heat (Jenson Publications MB02A-88, Stereo, 1988).  Tired of these demo tracks yet? I know I am.  But there are so many more of them...

That's enough for now.  Have a good night, but come back tomorrow for more.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 06

If the stats on the blog are correct, then this is the 5000th post I've ever made.  It's taken what, 15 years? But it's been a lot of fun, I hope you've enjoyed the ride. It's not quite the same place it was at the beginning, but it's still here, and still going. And today it's going with another version of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, this time in three parts, meaning all the divertisments have been lumped into one. Well, something like that.  Anyhow, this is Amsterdam National Symphony Orchestra-Peter Haas, Conductor from Tchaikovsky-Nutcracker Suite, Opus 71A, Rossini-Overture To William Tell; The Siege Of Corinth Overture (Camelot CMT 107, Mono).  Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-11

Happy Monday!  Unlike most of the world, our day off for the 4th is today instead of last Friday.  So I've got one more day to stay at home and do nothing.  Hooray!  And one more day where I can bring a bumper crop of Christmas to you, so you'd better be enjoying it.

1. Jeffrey Lams And John Andrew Schreiner-O Come All Ye Faithful from Pallette-A Colours Sampler (Colours SPCN-7-100-16582-2, Stereo, 1986).  Very new age, almost like something from the Bladerunner soundtrack.

2. Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra-China Doll from The Music of Leroy Anderson, Vol. 2 (Mercury SR90043, Stereo, 1958). More Leroy Anderson goodness.

3. The Medical Mission Sisters, Sr. Clement Lallo-Soloist-A Virgin from I Know The Secret (Avante Garde AVS 105, Stereo, 1966).  Another one of those records that has been in the pile for years and years. You'd think I'd try to do a better job of cleaning out the pile each year, but you'd be wrong.

4. Junior Choir-Judith Jarve, Director-Mildred Karpinen, Organ-The Snow Lay On The Ground from Grace (No Label NR8513 (Calumet, Michigan), Stereo, 1977). Snow?  Not sure what that even is.  We don't get anything like that here in Florida.

5. The English Chamber Orchestra And Choir; Raymond Leppard, Conductor-Hallelujah Chorus, From The Messiah from Excerpts From The Music Book (Holt, Rinehart And Winston P16966 Demonstration Record-Not For Sale, Stereo, 1983).  Sort of a demo track, I think, but not the same as the others I've been sharing around here. Weird narration warning.

6. The Eroica Three-Disc Symphonion Music Box-Skater's Waltz from Old Music Box Melodies (Bornand Music Box Co RCB-7, Stereo, 1981).  More music from a music box.

7. Les Brown And His Orchestra-I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm from The Uncollected Les Brown And His Orchestra 1944-1946 (Hindsight HSR-103, Mono, 1976).  Rescued from an old radio transcription disc for this collection, I believe.

8. Frances Lai-Skating In Central Park from Love Story (Paramount PAS 6002, Stereo, 1970). I was surprised earlier this year when I discovered a few Christmas tracks hidden away on this ubiquitous soundtrack. Of course, once I found that out, then I couldn't seem to find a copy.  Took me a few months, but I got a copy to share with you.  More tracks to come from this one.

9. Yehudi Menuhin With The Bath Festival Orchestra-The Four Seasons "The Winter" 2nd Movt. Largo from Schenker's Sound Of The Classics (EMI (Germany) SF 1030, Stereo, 1988).  A weird record, but then it's from Germany, so what did you expect.  I'm sure this isn't the original source for this track, but that's where I discovered it.

10. Marcel Pagnoul And His Orchestra-The Skaters Waltz from Viennese Waltzes (Time Records S/2069, Stereo, 1963).  The second version of this song today.  Sorry about that.

11. The Stockholm Concert Orchestra-Conducted By Hugh Ross-Hansel And Gretel-The Children's Prayer from The Majesty Of Sacred Music (Word W-4027-LP, Mono, 1966).  Not really Christmas music, but I see it pop up in Christmas collections now and then.

12. Al Melgard-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Al Melgard At The Chicago Stadium Organ-World's Largest Theatre Pipe Organ (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5886, Stereo, 1958).  Anything on the Audio Fidelity label is worth a listen or two.

13. African Noel by an unnamed artist from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966). An album for use in the classroom for music appreciation. Hope you appreciate it.

14. Merry Christmas March, another track from an unknown artist, this time from Marching Band '88 Vol. 2-Feel The Heat (Jenson Publications MB02A-88, Stereo, 1988).  A straightforward demo recording this time. No surprises here.

15. Alexei Cherkassov, Piano-December-Christmas from Tchaikovsky-The Seasons (Columbia Masterworks/Melodiya 2xLP MG 35184, Stereo, 1978).  Music by Tchaikovsky, but it's not from The Nutcracker.

And that's it for now, more to come later.  Hope you're enjoying the ride so far.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2020-10

Part 10, ready and waiting.  Come and get it!

1. The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy by The Kinsfolk from Billy Graham Crusade In Miniature (World Wide Publications BG 3345 (In a mailing envelope for a sleeve), Stereo, 1969). Interesting release, probably not a lot of these that have survived over the years.

2. Of One That Is So Fair And Bright by The Purcell Singers Conducted By Imogen Holst from Gustav Holst (1874-1934) Songs And Part-Songs (Argo ZRG 512, Stereo, 1968). Don't know much about this one, I'm afraid.

3. Candy Cane Polka by Casey "Fingers" Siewierski And His Concertina from Polka Session Featuring Casey "Fingers" Siewierski And His Concertina (Bel-Aire LP 4023 (AKA BALP 4023), Stereo). A polka selection a day keeps the doctor away!

4. Sleigh Ride by an unknown artist from the LP Leroy Anderson Favorites (Treasure TLP807, Mono).  Really budget stuff here.

5. Jesu Bambino by Midway Christian Church Choir, Rev. Roy Roberson-Director, Mrs. David Phillips-Organist, Mrs. Marshall House-Solo from In Our Own Way We Praise (Midway Records LP 1800 (Midway, Kentucky), Mono).  Some nice homemade church music from the bluegrass state.

6. Sing We Noel Once More by The Cantata Singers In Quakertown, Ifor Jones Conducting, Bonnie Fix Keller At The Organ from A Service Of Lessons And Carols (CS CSQ1001, Stereo, 1975).  From Quakertown, though not necessarily Quakers.

7. What Child Is This by Lyle Richardson, Baritone, With W. Lawrence Curry, Accompanist from Let's Sing Songs And Hymns For Primary Children (The Geneva Press 69-0031, Mono).  I think I've shared this one before, as well as tracks from similar records for different age groups. I like it when patterns show up.

8. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Vera Lynn With The Mike Sammes Singers-Arranged And Conducted By Johnny Douglas from Favourite Sacred Songs (Columbia (EMI) (Holland) SCX 6530, Stereo, 1972). Vera just passed away earlier this year. First time I ever heard her sing was at the beginning of Pink Floyd The Wall (the movie), when she sings The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot, a song that also had a big place in the Christmas music documentary, Jingle Bell Rocks.

9. Toy Symphony II-Menuetto by Paul Kuentz-Paris Chamber Orchestra from Haydn: Toy Symphony-Clock Symphony (Decca Gold Label Series DL 10090, Mono).  The second part of this playful piece.

10. Glory To God In The Highest by an unknown performer from Jenson Publications' Choral Celebration Vol. 5 (Jenson Publications JP-4000 w/ Book, Stereo, 1983).  Today's contribution from the demo albums.

11. Sleigh Bell by Six Fat Dutchmen Under The Direction Of H. Loeffelmacher from Schottisches (RCA Victor LSP-1957, Stereo, 1959).  Good stuff here.  I wonder if I have a whole album's worth of Christmas tracks from these guys yet?  Probably not.

12. Away In A Manger by Regina High School Chorus-Ms. Marianne Antonich, Director from Christmas & Spring Concerts 1977-1978 (Melody Recording KM 2623, Stereo, 1978). Not sure where this Regina High School may be.

13. Brazillian Sleighbells by Ralph Wolf And The Thomas Celebrity from The Celebrities (Concert Recording CR-E055, Stereo).  In case you didn't know, the Celebrity in question here is a type of organ.

14. Es Ist Ein Ros' Entsprungen by Virgil Fox, Organist, Playing The Organ At The Hammond Museum, Gloucester, Mass., from Brahms: Eleven Chorale Preludes (Chorales By J.S. Bach) (RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1853, Mono, 1955).  One nice thing about the RCA Victor label is that they almost always put a date on their records.  That makes my life so much easier.

15. Sweet Little Jesus Boy by Helen Harbourt Zingg, Soprano-Julius C. Zingg, F.A.G.O., Organist And Director, from Union Choir Sings (Mirrosonic Custom CM 7135, Mono). Not sure what F.A.G.O. may stand for here. maybe some sort of organization of organists.

And that's it for tonight.  Short and sweet.  Here's the link, see you tomorrow.

MEGA

Nutcracker In July 05

Time again to crack some nuts!  Today's version so Tchaikovsky's best is by Herbert Von Karajan Conducting The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and his LP Nutcracker Suite (Casse Noisette) Op.71a/Music From Peer Gynt (London FFRR CS 6420, Stereo, 1964).  I hope you enjoy yet another version of this classic.  This one again breaks the whole thing up into its eight individual pieces. Somewhere I think I have some versions with more than eight pieces, but those include some things from the ballet instead of the just the orchestral suite. Those parts are a lot less well known, I certainly don't recognize them. But none of those today, just the usual bits.

MEGA