I found a couple of these old Christmas Seals stuck to the back of an album recently. I thought you guys (and gals, too!) might get a kick out of them. These go all the way back to 1959! I checked around, and you can buy a whole sheet of these on eBay! I think that would be neat, to get some really old, vintage stickers, and put them on your current Christmas cards.
OK, let's see if I can post something that's not on CD this time. Here's an EP from The Lighthouse Singers, a group of musically talented blind girls from the Lighthouse Music School in New York. Well, the liner notes don't specifically say it's all girls, but I don't hear any guys in there, just dolls. This is part 2 of a set, but I'm afraid I don't have the other(s). Searching around the net seems to tell me that this was also available as a single 12" with 10 songs. I don't know if that means there is one other EP with 6 songs, or maybe two EPs with 3 songs each or one EP with 4 songs and one EP with 2 songs, or... Well, you get my point. Anyhow, whatever was released, it came out on the "X" label, a subsidiary of RCA. I don't know how they decided who got on the main label, and who was on the subsidiary. They also had a Vik label, which you also rarely see stuff on, but it's certainly more common than "X". But whatever, lemme post this so I can go record something else before midnight. Please go listen to Christmas Carols By The Lighthouse Singers-Volume II ("X" EXA-17, 1957).
Here's some nice easy listening Christmas music for this cold winter night. Well, I think it's about 65 outside, so does that really count as cold? Probably not. But to some people, this record doesn't count as music. But it's Christmas, so let's be charitable. Some people like these albums. If you want it, go get 101 Strings-Christmas Moods (Somerset SF-71000, 1964), and enjoy it. Perhaps you don't like the cover? Then I've given you two other choices below. Each of these covers contained the same music. My favorite is the one at the top. That's actually why it's at the top, now that I think about it. This record is another rerun from last year, so if you're interested, you can go back and see what I wrote then. Or when I shared out the third cover, you can read that, too.
I noticed something odd last night while browsing through the archives. I had pulled out an album called Christmas With The Lennon Sisters (Dot DLP 25343, 1961) that I wanted to record. I knew it was on CD (go buy it from the girls), but I wanted to listen to it right then and not wait for the CD, so I recorded it while listening. Then I went back to the shelf and looked at the other covers I had for the same record. One was a boring cover on a Ranwood reissue (a label associated with Lawrence Welk), and one was a boring cover on Wing. But then I noticed something. There weren't enough tracks on the Wing version. It's not surprising to find fewer tracks on reissues, I guess it saves on costs. Annoying, yes, but not surprising. Then I noticed some of the tracks didn't sound familiar. Then I came to the startling realization that it was an entirely different album! A little research turned up the information that this record is not on CD, which means I get to share it with you. So for those of you who love The Lennon Sisters, and who doesn't, here is their other Christmas album of the same name, Christmas With The Lennon Sisters (Wing SRW 16408, 1968). The one you're downloading is the one shown above. The one you're going to go buy on CD is shown below. Got that straight?
Well, nevermind. I guess this one is on CD, I just wasn't smart enough to figure that out. If you already downloaded this one, you have to delete it now. Scout's Honor! The link above now points to the page where you can buy this LP under it's original title, Noel.
When I was growing up, I didn't have a lot of little kiddie records. I listened to the same records my father did, and I'm sure I destroyed my fair share of them. I remember having a few little record players, but very few records. (I know there was some little gadget that projected a picture along with the record that was playing, but that's a pretty fuzzy memory.) My point, if I have one, is that I don't have a warm fuzzy attachment to some of the old records recorded just for kids from back in the day. So when I listen to them, I don't usually like them. This one (that I originally shared last year) is an exception. I like it. I really like the song Mr. Snow. You should download it based on that song alone, and consider the rest of it as bonus tracks. I believe this is a reissue of music recorded way back when 78s were the hottest medium going, but the sound is still pretty good. The 1966 date you see is what was written on the record itself. But that's beside the point, go download The Sandpipers With Mitch Miller And Orchestra-Frosty The Snowman (Golden Records 2092, 1966).
Doesn't look like a Christmas album, does it? That's because it's not. But a sharp-eyed observer would notice a short track entitled 'Please Santa Claus' listed on the back. That's what I did, and I found an interesting little track to share with you. Anna Russell made a career of lampooning music, both popular and non-popular, prior to her death this year in October. In this song, she's making fun of Christmas tunes sung by precocious little children. I don't know the exact date of this LP, but it's mid to late 50s, so the charts would have had some things like 'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas' or 'The Chipmunk Song' at the time. I removed the spoken bits, leaving just the song, which is barely a minute long, even with the applause at the end, so don't be surprised when it ends. So for today's contribution to my 25 Days Of Christmas CD, here's Anna Russell, International Concert Comedienne, With Jimmy Carroll And His Miserable Five-Please Santa Claus from A Square Talk On Popular Music or The Decline And Fall Of The Popular Song (Columbia Masterworks ML 5036). Enjoy! (This track showed up on a recent re-issue from Ms. Russell. Go get it here. Mine is taken from the original vinyl, of course.)
Previous tracks:
Kathy Dunn-Santaville
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes
While I'm on the subject, let me give you some new music to enjoy. This is another Christmas LP that George Wright put out in 1962, and it's easily as good as his first. This guy probably put out 100 organ LPs in his lifetime, probably carrying the HiFi label on his own at times. I haven't found one yet that I could find something to love on. In fact, there was some single-track George Wright sharity this past summer during Christmas In July, so go get some bonus tracks (1 and 2)! This LP came out on a different label, though, for whatever reason. You know how artists are. Unfortunately, this one's in mono, so I've got something of George's to keep my eye out for during the coming year. Here's George Wright At The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ-Christmas Time (Dot DLP 3479, 1962).
It's time for a little switcheroo. Last year I shared the album above with you, some great Christmas music on the organ. Notice that the record says Stereo across the top. Well, I thought that was pretty odd for something recorded in 1956! I hunted and hunted, but I finally came across a copy of the original mono album. Look below and you can see that it sports a slightly different cover, with quite a bit more color to offset the hot pink. The music is ever so slightly different, too. I'm sure he took his original arrangements back into the studio when it was deemed necessary issue a stereo version of this LP, and followed them closely. Now if I could just figure out when this re-recording took place, I'd be happy. Anybody out there know how I could figure this out? I did want to show you the different covers, and, if you're interested, give you both versions. Here's the one I shared out last year, the stereo one, George Wright At The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ-Merry Christmas (HiFi SR706, later than 1956). And here's the one I got this year and recorded for you, George Wright At The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ-Merry Christmas (HiFi R706, 1956). Which one is better? I don't know. They're both pretty good. I think you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference, actually. But be sure you grab both covers. I like both of them in their own way. I screwed up and left the back cover out of the stereo version, though, but they're both the same. in fact, I scanned the back from the stereo one, then stuck it in the mono one. Don't tell anyone!-Smaller.jpg)
Update (13 Oct 08): This one is now available as a legal download! So go get it! Here's a link to Amazon, but it's also available elsewhere.
One of the most fun records I shared last year was this record by Big Tiny Little. I got lots of comments on this one, as every one who listened to it enjoyed it. So don't be left out, jump on this tiny bandwagon today. Download Christmas With Big Tiny Little (Coral CRL 757391, 1961).
I wanted to throw this share from last year up to help me brag about the fact that The King Of Jingaling from FaLaLaLaLa chose a track off of it for his annual ADVENTures In Carols CD today! I'm so proud. Of course, the lucky devil has a stereo copy of the album, and mine is but a humble mono copy. But it's better than nothing. So if you liked the track shared by the King, download this and hear the rest. Go get Christmas Greetings From The Town Pipers (HiFi R418, 1959). Thanks again, King, for the honor!
Update (13 Oct 08): This one is now available for legal download. And that's a good thing, becuase it means that more of this old Christmas music that we all love is available to a wider audience. Here's the link to Amazon, and it's also available at other legal download sites. Now if I could just get them to look at the Three Suns catalog...
The next track in my online CD, 25 Days Of Christmas, is a great little novelty track from 1959. You may have downloaded it last year, but if you didn't, then you're in for a real treat. It's late and I'm tired, so just go get Kathy Dunn-Santaville (Santaville Records K80W-4901/2, 1959). You'll love it.
Previous tracks:
The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season
The Ed Sullivan Orchestra-I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Banjo Barons-Jolly Old St. Nick & Jingle Bells
Johnny Brandon-Santa Claus, Jr.
Johnny Mathis-Have Reindeer, Will Travel
The Crew-Cuts-Twinkle Toes
Here's another record that held great promise, but turned out to be less than spectacular. Just look at that cover. Who wouldn't buy this? I'd buy two or three copies, just to look at it. Then the listening left something to be desired. And my recording leaves even more to be desired. Seems there is some noise in the louder parts of the recording. I thought it was because I had the levels set too high, but it was always there. So I really shouldn't share this out, but I'm going to anyway, with a promise. I recently found a reissue of this LP from 1973 with a different title, different cover and a different track sequence, but it's in stereo. I'm going to try and get that one recorded and eventually replace this poor copy. But in the meantime, you might want to hear what's on the vinyl. Give a listen to The John McCarthy Chorale-Merry Christmas Sing Along (RCA Victor LPM-2476, 1962, "An RCA Victor Record Club Exclusive"). Two bad records in a row. This is such a let-down after that great Three Suns single. Just try to enjoy the cool covers, I guess.
Whoa, it was an hour long Earl tonight, so I'm terribly behind on my posting. What have I got here? Oh, it's another LP of organ music, this time with chimes! Nothing spectacular here, except that the main honcho behind this record is Leo Addeo, better known for his Hawaiian music than his organ music. He's just the conductor and arranger, though. Someone else actually plays the organ. I had high hopes for this record, such a festive cover. Turns out it's just a bunch of unimaginative medleys. So if any of that sounds at all interesting, go get Leo Addeo With Milton Kaye & Harry Breuer-Organ And Chimes Play Christmas Carols (RCA Camden CAS-726, 1962).
At long last, I got to hear the Three Suns single I'd been hunting for! Friend-of-the-blog Pete read my recent post about what Christmas records I was missing from The Three Suns, and generously offered to share. Good as his word, he sent me the two songs from this 1951 single, as well as scans of the record itself. And to my surprise, the music was every bit as good as I had imagined, which is something that doesn't always happen. Sometimes you want something for a long time, then when you get it, it's a bit of a letdown. But that is not the case here! The first track here, Uncle Mistletoe, turns out to have a vocal by Texas Jim Robertson. I have to admit I have no idea who that is, but it's cool to hear someone singing over the typical Three Suns rhythms. The flip side, Sleigh Ride, is quite quirky, featuring some fake horse noises that I'm not sure about. What instrument is that? A squeaky violin? Is that noise coming from the accordion? No idea. (Can anyone tell me if this is the same version of Sleigh Ride that was released by The Three Suns back in 1949 on RCA Victor single 47-3924?) Pete was kind enough to give me permission to share his record with the rest of you, so here is the first music I've presented that I didn't own the actual record. Go get The Three Suns-Uncle Mistletoe/Sleigh Ride (RCA Victor 7" 45 rpm 47-4323, 1951). And when you're done with that, go check out the rest of my Three Suns shares (part 1, 2 , 3, 3.5, 4). It's all good! And don't forget to leave a nice comment thanking Pete for his generosity! 
PS-You can go get A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas here.
Here's a great album I wanted to share with you, but I got beaten to the punch by the Captain. If you click on over to The Christmas Yuleblog, you can download this great Christmas organ record. I know you don't have enough Christmas organ already to last you a lifetime, so go get it. For the record, this is Earl Grant-Winter Wonderland (Decca DL 74677, 1965), and you can download it not once, but twice over at the Yuleblog. Don't ask, just go.
Speaking of Earl, I need to check if there is a Christmas episode of My Name Is Earl coming this year. Last year was a good episode with great holiday music. There was one song I really liked, and didn't know who it was, but now I can't remember it. (Sometimes they list the music from the episodes on the website, but I don't remember seeing it for the Christmas show.) Years ago, there was an episode of The Osbournes that had some Christmas music in it, and to this day I want to know what it was. It's been so long ago now that I can't even remember it, but I know it was good stuff. It wasn't anything having to do with Ozzie, though, I do remember that. So if you have any idea what I'm talking about, leave me a comment...
Here is the second record of swingin' organ music from Eddie Dunstedter that I shared last year. This one may be even better than the first. If you didn't get this last year, then don't miss it this time around! Go get Eddie Dunstedter-The Bells Of Christmas Chime Again (Capitol ST 1968, c. 1963) right now.
I don't think you've got enough organ for Christmas. This is a great rerun from last year featuring some really swinging organ tunes for the holidays. Don't listen to me, just go download
Eddie Dunstedter-The Bells Of Christmas (Capitol ST 1264, c. 1959).
Tonight's track for my online Christmas CD is a cut by The Williams Brothers. I'm still not sure if this has been released on CD or not. I suspect that the Andy Williams material has, but not the Williams Brothers. And that's a shame because there's some good stuff on here. This particular track is a bit of fun to brighten your day, but it's not a kiddie track like many of my tracks here have been. I know you'll enjoy The Williams Brothers-The Holiday Season from Christmas With Andy Williams And The Williams Brothers (Columbia Special Products C 10105).
