Open Pantry Presents

OK, after giving you that last record that wasn't very good, I'll give you one that is very good and bring some balance to the Force. This is part of a short series (I only know of two others, both by the same artist) put out by Open Pantry, a grocery store chain that we don't appear to have here in Florida (they appear to have morphed into a sort of convenience store but have survived to this day). Walt Harper was a popular jazz artist around Pittsburgh that didn't leave much of a recorded legacy. This little slice of Christmas music will make you wish he'd recorded more. This is Walt Harper-Open Pantry Presents Christmas Eve With Walt Harper (Open Pantry OP-LP 100, Stereo, 1974). Enjoy!

1. Jingle Bells
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. Christmas Song
4. Let It Snow, Let It Snow
5. O' Come All Ye Faithful
6. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
7. White Christmas
8. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Me
9. Silent Night
10. My Favorite Things

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Christmas In Manhattan

I feel like the posts are all over the place today, that's what happens when I don't have a good solid theme. Hopefully the themes will be back tomorrow, but until then, expect the unexpected. This record sounds like a high school marching band was paid a couple hundred bucks for a tape of their last rehearsal before their Christmas show, then a budget label released it. Well, at least the cover is a nice period piece. This is Manhattan "Pops" Symphonic Band-The Sound Of Christmas (Mount Vernon Music MVCS 3 (AKA MVSC 3), Stereo). Enjoy, if you can.

1. Jingle Bells
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
3. Christmas Medley
4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
5. The First Noel
6. Little Town Bethlehem
7. Good King Wenceslaus
8. Christmas Medley
9. Ave Maria

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Country Style

Shifting gears here a bit, how about some original country Christmas songs? OK, they're not all originals, but more than enough to give it some spice. You always need more songs about Santa, so give this one a try. You know you want to hear Santa Won't You Be My Baby! This is Marty Merchant-Christmas Country Style (Fresville FRCMM 102, Stereo, 1981). Pretty sure I took this one out of the shrink wrap, so the sound is vintage 1981.

1. Do You Suppose Santa Knows I've Moved?
2. Lonely Christmas Tree
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Christmas Elves
5. Frosty The Snowman
6. Santa Won't You Be My Baby
7. Reindeer Rock
8. Winter Wonderland
9. Brand New Santa
10. Silver Bells

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In The House

Here's a record with some interesting spoken word bits you might be able to use here and there. Not sure if this was commercially released as it features a music publisher introducing songs by some of the groups he works with. I'm sure it could have come out as a regular album, but not necessarily. It could very easily have been a giveaway for employees of Benson Publishing. It's good music with a decidedly religious slant to it, except tacked onto the end are some low quality recordings of employees singing Christmas carols. I went back and tried to record them again because I thought something had gone wrong with my process, but they just sound that way. Everything else here sounds nice and professional, but those last five tracks, not so much. This is Christmas At Our House (Impact (For Benson Publishing) R3381, Stereo, 1975).

1. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 1
2. The Downings-Christmas Day, So Long Ago
3. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 2
4. Dallas Holm-Angels, We Have Heard On High
5. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 3
6. The Rambos-O Holy Night
7. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 4
8. The Imperials-Infant Holy
9. The Lanny Wolfe Trio-Silent Night, Holy Night
10. The Bill Gaither Trio-Away In A Manger
11. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 5
12. Henry And Hazel Slaughter-Go Tell It On The Mountain
13. John T. Benson, III-Narrator-Monologue 6
14. The Speer Family-Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
15. John T. Benson, III-Narrator, With Laura & Doug Oldham-Monologue 7
16. Doug Oldham-What Child Is This
17. John T. Benson, III-Narrator, With Henry Slaughter-Monologue 8
18. Benson Employees-Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
19. Benson Employees-The First Noel The Angel Did Say
20. Benson Employees-Joy To The World
21. Benson Employees-Deck The Halls
22. Benson Employees-We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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Step In To The Shack

Speaking of Radio Shack, here's another record that was produced and sold through their stores. It's also a remaster of something I first shared way back in 2007 and I don't think it's been back since. Lots of big names on this one, though I'm afraid to tell you it's not all that great. Most of these folks turned in a lackluster performance well after their prime hit-making days. That's not to say it's not enjoyable, but I don't know how many times you'll want to give it a spin. It appears to be the soundtrack to a TV special that I haven't seen, and there are other issues of this music with different covers, but this is the only one I have.  This is Christmas Party (Hitbound (for Radio Shack/Realistic) 51-3010, Stereo, 1983).

1. Christmas Party Ensemble-Carol Of The Bells
2. Merilee Rush-White Christmas
3. Three Dog Night-Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
4. Paul Revere & The Raiders-Jingle Bells
5. Paul Revere & The Raiders-The Christmas Song
6. Michael Love And Mary MacGregor-Do You Hear What I Hear
7. Michael Love And Dean Torrence-Jingle Bell Rock
8. The Association-Sleigh Ride
9. The Association-Home For The Holidays
10. Bobby Goldsboro-Winter Wonderland
11. Mike Love-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12. Christmas Party Ensemble-We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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Christmas Stories Seven

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

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

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Christmas Stories Six

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

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

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

Christmas Stories Five

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

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

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Christmas Stories Four

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

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

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Christmas Stories Three

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

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

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Christmas Stories Two

For you early risers, here's another installment in our Christmas stories theme today. The title is a little more imaginative on this one, Favorite Christmas Stories, though I don't know if the stories are actually any better. I've found that I'm not a big fan of her voice, frequently hitting the skip button when something from this one comes up. Hopefully that's not the case with you, and you can find something here to enjoy. The stories are interesting, certainly not the usual retellings of the same old tales. This is Mary Strang-Favorite Christmas Stories (CMS Records CMS 629, Mono, 1971). Not too sure who Mary Strang is (or was), but she has a few listings at Discogs for records similar to this (oh, and one other one with Christmas stories! Gotta track that one down now...). Enjoy!

1. The Tailor Of Gloucester
2. Wee Robin's Yule Song
3. The Cat On The Dovrefell
4. The Poor Count's Christmas
5. The Jar Of Rosemary

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Christmas Stories One

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

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

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Almost Midnight

It's late at night, so time for our daily remaster. Remasters are records that I've shared in the past, but I've decided to revisit them for some reason. I've gotten better at recording things over the years, so I like to think the new remasters sound better. Sometimes they're new rips from the same record I had all those years ago, sometimes they are from new copies that may sound a little cleaner. And sometimes they're in a better MP3 bitrate. Point is, I've been at this a long time and sometimes I want to go back and redo something again. Anyhoo, the record of the moment is something first shared back in 2012 and I'm bringing it back tonight. I see that my scanning is not as good as it used to be. Everything I do seems too yellow, especially on a different monitor than where I did the work. I guess I need to get these things calibrated. You'll the the picture though. This is Midnight String Quartet-Christmas Rhapsodies For Young Lovers (Viva V36010, Stereo, 1967). Enjoy!

1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Silent Night
3. White Christmas
4. The Little Drummer Boy
5. Oh, Holy Night
6. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
7. Sleigh Ride
8. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
9. Blue Christmas
10. First Noel
11. Winter Wonderland
12. Christmas Rhapsody

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Polka Your Eyes Out

You might remember Eddie and his Versatones from this post way back in 2016, or you may not, but either way I'm bringing him back tonight with another of his polka workouts. These polka Christmas records are fun, especially when they offer takes on familiar music and not random instrumental polkas, schottisches or waltzes. This one has some good vocal stuff and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Whether or not you choose to dance to it is your own business. I know this record has been in the collection a long time (because how can you forget that cover?), but I never connected it to that old post for some reason. Then one day I happened to see it listed in a discography and remembered I had seen it in the collection recently. But when I went back to look, I couldn't find where I had seen it. I think I kept an eye out for three weeks before it finally turned up. Glad I went to the trouble! This is Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones-A Polka Christmas (Bel-Aire LP 3024, Stereo, 1975). Enjoy!

1. Season's Greetings Polka
2. Say A Prayer Tonight Polka
3. Snowflakes Polka
4. It Must Be Christmas Polka
5. White Christmas
6. It's Christmas Time Polka
7. Christmas Time Is Here Waltz
8. Christmas Cards Polka
9. Play Santa Play Polka
10. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Not Mariah Carey...)

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WXMS In Cincinnati

You gotta love local Christmas releases. It may not be on a big label, it may not be any big names, it may not even be recorded all that well, but it's always got heart. Someone had an idea to make a record, and they got all the people and resources together to make it happen. This particular record from Cincinnati has been in my collection for a long time, but I've never listened to it. I think the pink cover, somewhat unique for a Christmas record, is what drew me to it. I finally made time to listen to it this year, and I wish I had done it sooner. There's great stuff on here! My favorite track is a version of Jingle Bells that makes me think it was arranged by Carl Stalling for an early Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies short. There's also a nice recitation of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas over top of White Christmas that's kind of interesting. I don't think there's a bad track here, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it just as much as I do. The lesson here is to never ignore a record, take some time to listen to it, you just might love it! This is Cincinnati Symphony Members With Mac Frampton-Sounds Of Christmas 71 AKA Christmas '71 (Artist's Recording No Number, Stereo, 1971). It's good stuff, enjoy!

1. Christmas Song
2. What Child Is This
3. Silent Night
4. Medley
5. O' Holy Night
6. Jingle Bells
7. Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. Carol Of The Bells
9. Jesu Bambino
10. White Christmas-'Twas The Night Before Christmas
11. Adeste Fidelis

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Book Of Lists 1

No music here, but I wanted to share some lists I made over at Discogs with you this season. If you've not familiar with it, Discogs is a giant database of all the world's musical recordings, all generated and curated by the users themselves. It lists a huge number of recordings in great detail, especially for major artists. The stuff I like is the things around the edges, the records that may or may not be documented over there. I've added plenty of records myself, but there are still things that need to be entered, even some stuff I'm sharing. There's not enough hours in the day to do all the things I would like to do. Anyhow, the point of this post is that you can make lists over at Discogs and the list can have anything in it you want. I like to collect up various themes or records that are part of a series, any sort of connection I can use to pull some otherwise unrelated records together. These lists don't have much to do with the records I'm sharing, but they are all Christmas related. This first list is a collection of all the records Capitol put out for Christmas as part of their Capitol Of The World series. If you're not familiar with it, Capitol Of The World was their name for all the records they licensed from their affiliates all over the world for release in the US. It's a huge collection with over 500 entries listed. My list is much shorter but it's got Christmas music from all around the world. I've shared many of them, and a special promo from Fred Waring that shares selections from the first batch in 1957. It's good stuff, check it out.

The List!

Ebeneezer 2

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

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Ebeneezer 1

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

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Artists Artists

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

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

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Christmas In The Motor City 5

Getting kinda late, but I've got one more record from Detroit to share with you. This time it's a remaster of something I've shared with you for many years now, starting in 2010. It's a great collection of local civic groups including some big names, like Ford, GM and Detroit Edison. Lots of local schools involved, too. Pretty sure we've had visitors stop by and say they went to some of these schools, and that's always cool when you can make that connection. As I mentioned, this is a remaster. I dug out the LP, re-recorded it using my latest tools, scanned the images again and put it all together into a new package for 2023.  This is Christmas In Detroit-A Collection Of Seasonal Music By Outstanding Detroit Choral Groups (Special Recordings for The Tuberculosis And Health Society XCTV 87787/87788, Mono, 1962). Enjoy!

1. Varsity Glee Club-Wayne State University-Director: Dr. Harry M. Langsford-Deck The Halls
2. Varsity Glee Club-Wayne State University-Director: Dr. Harry M. Langsford-Good King Wenceslas
3. Duns Scotus College Choir Directed By The Rev. Peter Ricke, O.F.M.-Jesu Redemptor
4. Duns Scotus College Choir Directed By The Rev. Peter Ricke, O.F.M.-Viva Viva
5. Duns Scotus College Choir Directed By The Rev. Peter Ricke, O.F.M.-Sleep Well
6. University Of Detroit Chorus Directed By Don Large-Gloria Patri
7. The Ford Chorus-Ford Motor Company Directed By Ray C. Kooi-Silver Bells
8. The Ford Chorus-Ford Motor Company Directed By Ray C. Kooi-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Civic Center Chorus Under The Baton Of Patrick J. Teevens-The Star Carol
10. Civic Center Chorus Under The Baton Of Patrick J. Teevens-Ave Maria
11. St. Paul's Cathedral's Choir Under The Direction Of Robert Cato-Silent Night
12. Unknown Announcer-Thank You
13. Lutheran Choralaires-Oh, Come All Ye Faithful
14. Lutheran Choralaires-Oh Emanuel
15. The A Cappels Under The Direction Of Richard Green-We Three Kings
16. Edison Glee Club-The Detroit Edison Company-I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas
17. Edison Glee Club-The Detroit Edison Company-Carol Of The Bells
18. Orpheus Club Of Detroit Directed By Dr. Haydn Margan-Go Tell It On The Mountain
19. General Motors Chorus-General Motors Corporation-Director: Frank Murch-Jingle Bells
20. General Motors Chorus-General Motors Corporation-Director: Frank Murch-Hark, The Herald Angels Sing
21. Shamrock Chorus-Catholic Central High School-Mary Had A Baby
22. Shamrock Chorus-Catholic Central High School-Silent Night

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Christmas In The Motor City 4

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

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

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Christmas In The Motor City 3

Time for another installment of Christmas from Detroit, but this one also ropes in a bit of Finland, of all places. I don't think I've ever shared any Christmas music from Finland with you, so this is breaking new ground. There's some music on here that I don't think you'll hear elsewhere, so it's worth a bit of your time this year. This is Finlandia Male Chorus Of Detroit-Christmas Songs--Joulu Lauluja (Midwest Custom Recording Service/Century MCR-1001, Stereo). I had no idea that Detroit was home to a large Finnish population, but live and learn. Enjoy!

1. Joulukellot (Christmas Bells)
2. Jouluaattona (Christmas Eve)
3. Joulupuu On Rakennettu (The Christmas Tree Is Decorated)
4. Joululaulu (Christmas Song)
5. Joulujuhla (Christmas Celebration)
6. Joulu Yö (Silent Night)
7. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree)
8. Iltatuulen Viesti (Message Of The Evening Breeze)
9. Finlandia
10. Gloria
11. The Sleep Of Child Jesus
12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
13. The Little Drummer Boy
14. I Came Upon The Midnight Clear (SIC)
15. Do You Hear What I Hear?
16. Three Noels: Christmas Hymn; Christmas Eve Is Here; Now We Sing of Christmas

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Christmas In The Motor City 2

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

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

MEGA

Christmas In The Motor City 1

I've got a whole pile of little themes I want to work my way through this season. As I sorted through all the records I'd ripped, or wanted to rip, I noticed little threads of commonality here and there. Some of the threads are good solid nylon parachute cord that will hold together no matter what, and others are made of nothing more durable than dirty fairy dust, so just go with those and don't pull too hard. This first set is all tied to Detroit, Michigan, central to America's auto industry and a whole lot of great music. I don't know how much of that great music I can share with you, but there's plenty of not-so-well-known music that I can share. Here's the first of the handful. Jim Smith of Detroit-Christmas Eve...Christmas Day (Plumbline 4105N4, Stereo) is a fine gospel collection, if you're into that sort of thing.  See, Detroit is right there in the title! I seem to remember having to record this one a couple of times since the balance on my tonearm was messed up and I didn't realize it. I knew the vinyl was clean, but I kept getting skips. I got it corrected eventually, but it took a lot longer to fix than it should have. Anyhow, enjoy the music! (Oh, almost forgot to mention, that stock cover image is called Christmas Candles 2 over at Discogs, and they've collected up seven different albums, including this one, that use the same image. More on stock covers later.)

1. O Come All Ye Faithful
2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
3. Silent Night
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
5. Away In A Manger
6. Joy To The World
7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. White Christmas
9. Christmas Song
10. The First Noel

MEGA

Four Is Greater Than Three

As always, I fretted over what to share first this year. It's an entirely meaningless decision, but I still worry that if I don't start out with something strong, it will affect the whole Christmas season in a negative way. But when I remembered this Canadian record I got from a Discogs order earlier this year, I knew we had a winner. Certainly the Christmas music of The Three Suns is a favorite of myself and many blog visitors (though it's mostly all been reissued at this point, thus not something I'm sharing anymore), so this album by The Four Suns should be 33-1/3% better!  Well, it's good, but not that good. All the expected instrumental flourishes are there, but the over-the-top craziness found on The Three Suns' best albums isn't there. It's still a very enjoyable listen, though fairly short. So to get the 2023 Christmas season off the ground in a good way, here is The Four Suns-Arr. et Orch.: Pierre Nolès-Xmas Mood Music With The Four Suns (Trans Canada TC-A-68, Mono, 1963). When I first saw that director's name, I misread it as Pierre Noël and thought for sure it was a pseudonym, but I believe he was a real guy working in Canada at the time.

1. White Christmas
2. Jingle Bells
3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. Christmas Song
6. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
7. Home For Holidays
8. Winter Wonderland
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. Here Comes Santa Claus

MEGA

Merry Christmas To All 2023!

Good afternoon, and welcome to Christmas 2023! This marks my 18th year of sharing Christmas music from my collection with you via the blog. Seems like a really long time, and it is, but the season itself will be done and gone before you know it. I hope you find the time to sit back, relax and savor the experience before it passes by. I'm going to share a lot of stuff, and it's going to come hard and fast for the entire season. Don't over exert yourself by trying to keep up, just enjoy it when you can. I don't intend for it to make anyone's holiday any more hectic than it already is. I've got many, many new shares for you this year, some really great stuff and some real clunkers. Put it all together and it's going to give you many hours of listening enjoyment. My intent this year is to do nothing but new shares and some remasters, so nothing that's just reshared from previous years. There'll be a new post every four hours or less between now and Christmas morning, and it's all newly recorded this year just for you. Pretty much all albums, too. I recorded a pile of singles, but never got around to scanning the labels and finishing them up, so there may be a few but not many. That means there are going to be a lot of posts and each one is going to have a lot of new music for you. I hope you enjoy at least some of what pops up, but I don't think anyone is going to like everything. That's probably enough blathering for now, I'm just as anxious as you to get this show on the road. I've been prepping for this since last January, so let's get this party started! Enjoy!

(If you want a little taste of what's about to come, and you missed it back in June at Christmas-and-a-half, go download this 117 track sampler.)

Christmas Is Coming...

 

And it's gonna be BIG!

On To Italia

Crazy clear water in Lake Como today in Varenna.

Rule Britannia

Traveling today...

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 3

As The Doors once said, this is the end. I've got nothing left in the pile for you after this. There wasn't a huge deluge of stuff this year, but I think it was some good stuff. I've got a lot of it set aside in a special folder for an eventual best-of, but that's going to have to come at some time in the future. For today, you get seven more tracks for the eight days of Chanukah. Wish I could have made that work out with eight tracks, but it just wasn't in the cards.

1. The Shining Lights-Happy Hannukah
2. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Father Made Me A Sevivon
3. Hap Palmer-Hanukkah-Vocal
4. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Hanukah Lichtelech
5. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Karen Gural, Soprano-Hanukah Lichtelech
6. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Ken, Ken Yehi Ratzon
7. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Karen Gural-Ken, Ken Yehi Ratzon

Looks like most of today's tracks came from the same record. I try not to do that, but there were just too many cuts from that one to spread them out. Put all of those tracks together that I've shared with you over these three days and you'll have the whole side of the record. Thanks for joining me on this voyage through June, July & August. It's been a blast. Hope to see you in November if I can get my act together. I'm off to Europe in a few weeks now for some much needed R&R. I'll be looking for you out on Lake Como, and maybe outside Battersea Power Station. I'll be the one in the Santa Claus hat.

MEGA

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 2

Time for the second part of our August Chanukah spectacular. If you enjoyed the stuff from yesterday, then it's pretty much more of the same thing today. I can't think of a lot of interesting things to say at the moment since I'm hungry, so I'll just give you the tracklisting and a link and call it good.

1. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Yemei Ha-Chanukah
2. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Yemei Ha-Chanukah
3. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Father Made Me A Sevivon
4. The Shining Lights-The First Candle We Light On Hannukah
5. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Sevivon, Sov, Sov, Sov
6. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Sevivon, Sov, Sov, Sov
7. Kathy Lecinski-Chanukah, Oh Chanukah

See you tomorrow!

MEGA

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 1

Even though Chanukah rarely (ever?) comes after Christmas, I like to share out a handful of Chanukah tunes with you right after I finish my Christmas in July shares. It's a lot rarer to come by Chanukah tunes on the old records I dig up, but they do turn up here and there. And this year features a bumper crop, mostly thanks to one full side of tunes from a record I found. So I've got more than a single day for you. For those of you who're still around here at the beginning of the month, here are a handful of Chanukah tunes for your listening pleasure.

1. The Shawnee Choir-Earl Willhoite, Director-Richard Lindroth, Accompanist-Hanukkah Holiday
2. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Prelude
3. All-City Choir-Susan Van Dyck, Chairman-Nancy Ferguson, Coordinator-Hanukkah
4. Morleen Getz-Rouse, Narrator-Intro To Ma-I Hanukah
5. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Michael Horton, Tenor-David Goodman, Baritone-Ma-I Hanukah
6. Soloists, Choir And Orchestra Of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute Of Religion-Mah Oz Tzur
7. Hap Palmer-Hanukkah-Instrumental

Come back for more tomorrow!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 31

Last day of the month, last day of Christmas in July. Normally this day would be devoted to New Year's tunes, but I only found one of those this year. I've had to supplement it with thirteen more great Christmas tunes. Looks like I've saved some really great stuff until the end here, so be sure you don't miss this package. As usual, I'll be back tomorrow with the start of Chanukah in August, so don't miss out. Hope you've been enjoying the Christmas music this month!

1. Chris Rea-Joys Of Christmas
2. Kathy Lecinski-The New Year Is Coming
3. Johnny Dyno And His Orchestra-Snowflake-Oberek
4. Allen Keller And Trombones-Kai Winding-Urbie Green-Nick Travis-Paul Falise-Christmas Road
5. Conducted By Joseph Brooks-Christmas Song (Version 2)
6. MacLean & MacLean-Nine Days Of Christmas
7. James Galway-Winter Sunset
8. Eddie Bond-Christmas In Heaven
9. Lya Badgley-Lilacs In Winter
10. Melanie-Merry Christmas
11. Cesana And Orchestra-Snow Scene
12. Lulu Belle & Scotty-The Empty Christmas Stocking
13. Sandy Offenheim-If Snowflakes Fell In Flavours
14. K-tel-Jingle Bells

Thanks for stopping by!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 30

Next to the last day of the month here, and I've got a whopping thirteen tracks for you. (Is that right, 13? Let me check again. Yep, that's what it says, 13.) At this point in the game, I know exactly what I have left, so I can splurge and give you as much as possible without going over or under for the month. So we've come a long way from what, three tracks on day one? Not too bad, but I suppose I could have counted a little better and doled it out more evenly. Lots of good stuff here saved for the end, it's a pretty good playlist all on it's own. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

1. The Kings-This Christmas
2. Timothy Angel And Robert Fowkes (Trebles) With Malcolm Archer, Organist And Master Of The Choristors Bristol Cathedral-Ave Maria
3. Brian Slawson-Flutes Played By Amy K. Porter-"Christmas Concerto" From Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8
4. Jack White-Greensleeves
5. Homer Denison-If Winter Comes
6. Cecile Frenette-Soon It Will Be Christmas
7. Tom Paxton-Winter Song
8. Janis Ian-In The Winter
9. Buddy Tate, His Tenor Sax And Orchestra-Lonely Christmas
10. Dorothy Maynor, Soprano, With Unaccompanied Male Choir-Rise Up, Shepherd, An' Foller (Hymn Of Christmas)
11. John Williams-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
12. Barbara E. Leigh & The Everlov'ins-Greenie The Christmas Tree
13. Richard Robinson-Orchestral Accompaniments By Ed Jurey-Ten Little Jingle Bells

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the end of the month blowout!

MEGA