I just noticed that the knobs go to 11... This giant guitar is on the front of the Hard Rock Cafe on Las Vegas Boulevard. I was flipping through some old picture from a trip two years ago, and happened to notice. I must have somehow missed that small fact when I was there in person.
As I was sharing out all of the Christmas in July music last month, I realized that you must think I only record Christmas music. But that's not entirely true. While Christmas is the majority of what I rip from scratchy old vinyl, I also rip a fair bit of non-Christmas stuff. So here is a small smattering of items that I recently recorded, all from the same albums I grabbed Christmas stuff from, but none of it Christmas. Some of it's good, some of it should have been good, but it's all from vinyl.
1. Adventure In High Fidelity by Robert Russell Bennett Conducting Members Of The NBC Symphony Orchestra, an absolutely splendid adventure from An Adventure In High Fidelity (RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1802, Mono, 1954). This was created as a showpiece to sell more records and more hi-fi sets by RCA. You may have heard the excerpt Waltz Of The Vinylite Biscuits before, but this is the whole thing. Someday I need to sit down and see if I can figure out exactly where each piece starts and stops. Perhaps there's sheet music out there somewhere. While I'm thinking about it, the parts are: The Arrival At The Great Gates Of Castle Hi-Fi; Welcome Of The Page Boy Prince Dynam; The Variable Pitch Of Princess Rhumbamba; The Balinese Ballad Of The Tweeter And The Woofer; The Circular Serenade Of The Diamond Stylus; The Waltz Of The Vinylite Biscuits; The Tomb Of The Ogre Distortion; Blasphemy In The Amplifier; The Full Frequency Fountain Of Farewell. (I think Waltz Of The Vinylite Biscuits begins about 8:12 and ends about 9:40, based on the excerpt I've seen on other samplers.)
2. Mambo (From "West Side Story") by Hal Mooney And His Orchestra from Ballet With A Beat (Mercury PPS 6017, Stereo, 1961). What can I say, I like mambos.
3. I Dig Rock And Roll Music by Count Basie & The Mills Brothers from one of their two albums together, The Board Of Directors (Dot DLP 25838, Stereo, 1968). The old school steps up and says what's so great about the new school. I dig, I dig!
4. The Pianists by Noel Coward With Andre Kostelanetz And His Orchestra: Leonid Hambro and Jascha Zayde, Pianists, from the LP The Carnival Of The Animals (Columbia Masterworks ML 4355, Mono, 1950). Wait, why did I put this in here? I didn't share anything off of this record for Christmas in July. My mistake. Anyhow, I've often wondered why Saint-Saens included pianists among the other animals in his Carnival Of The Animals.
5. The Fossils (Fossiles) by Camarata With The Symphonie-Orchester Grauke-Narrated By Mr. Camarata from The Carnival Of The Animals (Buena Vista Records STER-4028, Stereo, 1967). And whatever mistake I made, I made it twice. This time, Saint-Saens throws in fossils.
6. Heartbreak Hotel by Vincent Lopez Singers from A Century Of American Music (Album Set Productions 4xLP Box 5096 GT 12, Stereo, 1970). I'm not sure they liked the original. Oh, they also threw a Beatles number in, but I didn't share it. Not at all sure how that became American music...
7. The Syncopated Clock by Rosemary Clooney With Orchestra from Children's Favorites (Columbia 10" 33 RPM CL 2569 Playhouse Party Series, Mono, 1956). I didn't even know it had words! From the credits, looks like the same guy who provided words for Sleigh Ride, Mitchell Parish, did this one too.
8. Efficiency by Dorothy Shay The Park Avenue Hillbilly, from her LP Coming 'Round The Mountain (Harmony (Columbia) HL 7017, Mono, 1957). I'm working on completing the Dorothy Shay discography, and I think it's well worth the effort. She put out some really funny stuff in her day.
9. Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar by The Orchestra Of LeRoy Holmes from the soundtrack to The Devil's Brigade (United Artists UAS 6654, Stereo, 1968). Not exactly The Andrews Sisters.
10. The Elements, a bit of a ringer by Tom Lehrer and his LP An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer (Reprise RS-6199, Stereo, 1959). Has anyone updated this with all the new elements out there at the end? They should.
11. Coffee With The Meal by Ogden Nash With Music Composed And Conducted By Glenn Osser from the album The Fanciful World Of Ogden Nash (Capitol SW 1570, Stereo, 1961). Great, great stuff.
12. Big Bad Jane, a sort of parody of Big Bad John from Jimmy Dean, this time by The Four Saints from their self titled effort (Warner Bros WS1477, Stereo, 1962). For years I hunted for a female version of Big Bad John that heard when I was a kid, but it wasn't this one. Turned out it as something from the same Jimmy Dean LP that originally featured Big Bad John. Cajun Queen, I think it was called.
13. Bye, Baby Bunting by our old friend Ruth Welcome from the LP Golden Slumbers-Lullabies From Near And Far (Caedmon TC 1399, Stereo, 1972). I told you Caedmon put out some very interesting stuff during their time.
14. Choo Choo Ch-Boogie by Meri Ellen And Her Cohorts Featuring Guest Star Don Elliott from their LP The Hi-Fi Antics Of Meri Ellen And Her Cohorts (Design DLP 63, Mono, 1958). Imagine sitting in a lounge somewhere in the Adirondacks listening to this R&B number in the late 50's. The shape of things to come...
15. Stop! Sit Down! Relax! Think! by The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra from their 10" LP New Directions In Music (RCA Victor 10" 33 RPM LPM 3115, Mono, 1953). There's very little from the Sauter-Finegan catalog that isn't worth listening to. So do me a favor, stop, sit down, relax and think!
16. Brazilian Polka by Clebanoff And His Orchestra from Strings Afire (Mercury PPS 6019, Stereo, 1961). A Brazilian polka? That's about as likely as Brazilian sleigh bells!
17. Hey! Mr. Banjo by Joe "Fingers" Carr And Ira Ironstrings from their conspiratorial LP together, Together For The Last Time-Volume 1 (Warner Bros WS1389, Stereo, 1960). Lots of cool music on this one, but I grabbed this one because it was between two tracks I knew I already wanted. That made the choice easy.
There you go, 17 non-Christmas tracks for your listening pleasure. I think you'll enjoy them as a slight change of pace, at least between now and November. :)
MediaFire
Well, I had hoped to bring you lots of cool Chanukah tunes for my annual celebration of Chanukah in August, but it wasn't to be. I only managed to find five tracks, and four of those came from the same album. There's always next year. Here's the list, short as it is.
1. Dance The Horah by Jim Mandell With Mary Hylan & Debby James from their album Action Songs For Holidays And Special Days (Tom Thumb T 312, Stereo, 1979). It's from a kiddie record, but even kids celebrate the holiday of lights.
2-5. Pis'chu Li, Mo'os Tzur And Blessings For Chanukah, M'kimi Meofor and Haneros And Al Hanism, all performed by Jan Peerce With Chorus And Orchestra Arranged And Conducted By Gershon Kingsley and taken from the LP The Art Of The Cantor-Chanukah-The Sabbath-High Holy Days (Vanguard VSD-79237, Stereo, 1966). The interesting part to me about these tracks isn't Jan Peerce, it's the involvement of Gershon Kingsley who made some very interesting early moog albums with Jean-Jacques Perrey. Nothing nearly so interesting as those here, but I was hoping.
Anyhow, that's it for Chanukah, and pretty much it for the (extended) month. For the record, I've shared out 464 songs from 324 different albums (it takes up a shelf and a half here next to the computer!), and if you downloaded it all, it's probably taking up 2.08 GB on your computer. I hope you've got a large iPod. Anyhow, here's the download link, thanks for stopping by, and if I don't see you before then, don't forget to come back around Thanksgiving!
MediaFire
You knew there was a part 32, didn't you? There's just too much, and I'm too poor of a planner to be able to squeeze it all into just 31 days. So today is everything else that's left in the Christmas In July folder that's tagged Christmas. Some things that weren't all that great, or that skip, or that I just didn't get a chance to squeeze in earlier. A mixed bag, really.
1. A Trumpeter's Lullaby And Bugler's Holiday by Johnny Kemm from the LP The Invisible Brass Band-Johnny Kemm Brings It To Life With The Revolutionary Lowrey Brass Symphonizer (Concert Recording CR-E112, Stereo). This may be a rerun, I can't remember for sure and I'm too lazy to look. Many of the organ LPs I find on this label have something I can use in my Christmas shares. Not sure why, other than some Christmas songs are popular organ demo songs.
2. Too Fat Polka (She's Too Fat For Me) by Joe "Fingers" Carr And Ira Ironstrings and their LP Together For The Last Time-Volume 1 (Warner Bros WS1389, Stereo, 1960). After I recorded this, I listened to Arthur Godfrey's version, which actually has the lyrics. It's got absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, but if you remove that subtitle and dub some sleigh bells over it, I think it could well be a song about Santa.
3. Snowfall by Claude Thornhill And His Orchestra from his Decca album Dance To The Sound Of Claude Thornhill (Decca DL 78878, Stereo, 1958). And because it's on Decca and in stereo, we know it's not the original.
4. Sleigh Ride In July by Lena Horne With Lennie Hayton And His Orchestra from her LP Songs By Johnny Burke And Jimmy Van Heusen (RCA Victor LSP-1895, Stereo, 1959). Great song, but I didn't share it out earlier because I realized I just shared it last year, and it's probably too early to be bringing it back. But it really is great, so here it is.
5. Skaters' Waltz by Frankie Yankovic from Frankie Yankovic Plays The All-Time Great Waltzes (Columbia CS 8239, Stereo, 1960). Again, I'm pretty sure this is not the first time the other Mr. Yankovic recorded this tune.
6. Próle Do Bébé: Porcelain Doll-Wooden Doll-Witch Doll-Paper Doll-Rag Doll-Clown Doll (Polichinelle), a side-long piece about various dolls from Artur Rubinstein and his LP Highlights From Rubinstein At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2605, Stereo, 1962). Not very Christmassy, I'm afraid.
7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Harry Marshard And His Society Dance Orchestra from the LP Resort Favorites (Bel Canto SR/1006 (Blue Vinyl), Stereo, 1958). When I bought this a couple weeks ago, the lady behind the counter at Goodwill looked at it and said something about swing music. I looked at her kind of cross-eyed, then she started on about how old it must be, and how it was mis-priced at only $0.99. I wanted to reach across the counter and smack her for her ignorance, but I didn't. There were other records in the pile that were older and probably better. I guess I'm lucky she didn't see the pretty blue vinyl inside the sleeve or I would have never heard the end of it...
8. Ave Maria! O Maiden, O Mother by The Lennon Sisters from Lawrence Welk Presents The Lennon Sisters Singing Best-Loved Catholic Hymns (Dot SLP 25250, Stereo, 1960). Another rerun, but I'm sure the sound is much better this time.
9. Ave Maria by The McGuire Sisters-Accompaniment Directed By Dick Jacobs, from In Harmony With Him (Coral CRL 757303, Stereo, 1959). I love me some sister groups.
10. Ave Maria by The Eric Rogers Chorale And Orchestra from an LP we saw much earlier in the month, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah (London Phase 4 SP 44028, Stereo, 1963). Yes, I had way too many versions of Ave Maria this month.
11. Sleigh Ride as performed by the composer, Leroy Anderson And His "Pops" Concert Orchestra, from a small, 10" LP Leroy Anderson Conducts His Own Compositions (Decca Gold Label 10" 33 RPM DL 7509, Mono, 1949). Don't know if this is the original, but it's close. 1949 was the first year they made microgroove LPs, so this is something a little special.
12. Skaters Waltz-Skips (sorry...) by Leon Berry from Glockenspiels, Trap And Plenty Of Pipes With Leon Berry At The Hub Rink Chicago-Volume 1 (Replica 33x2501, Mono). I really don't like to share stuff that's obviously defective, but this was pretty good, and I've never seen another copy. I think he redid this later for Mobile Fidelity, no, Audio Fidelity, big difference.
13. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Les Brown And His Band Of Renown from the small LP also called I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Columbia 10" 33 RPM "House Party Series" CL 2512, Mono, 1955). This House Party series usually comped old singles, so I suspect this may be his original hit version. I've got a later stereo remake on Capitol in the pile to rip, but I never got around to it.
14. The Christmas Song by Mel Tormé With Wally Stott And Orchestra from My Kind Of Music (Verve V-8440, Mono, 1962). I probably shouldn't share this, but who else is going to want the mono version but you guys?
15. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late), yes, by David Seville And The Chipmunks (Alvin, Theodore & Simon) from their first album, Let's All Sing With The Chipmunks (Liberty LRP 3132 (Realistic chipmunk cover, red vinyl), Mono, 1958). Again, a mono version of something I shouldn't be sharing, but I wanted to give it a listen and ask you to check something for me. Wikipedia claims the first verse found on this early release has been replaced on later issues. I don't hear any difference on this original pressing on red vinyl with the realistic chipmunk foil cover, but maybe I have to find the single. Anyhow, do you hear a difference? Oh, and that's really the way they're credited on the vinyl. Not Alvin, Simon & Theodore. Not sure when they changed that around...
And that's it! You might get some Chanukah tracks sometime soon, if you catch my drift, but that's it for the Christmas shares. If you haven't found anything in these tracks you like, you're in the wrong place. Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite track was, right after you finish tonight's download.
MediaFire
Here we are, last day of the month. And as usual, the last day of the month is all songs about New Year's.
1. The 20s Roar (Medley): Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home-Clementine-The Band Played On-There Is A Tavern In The Town-Good Night Ladies-Auld Lang Syne by no less than Spike Jones And The Band That Plays For Fun-Introducing Hangnails Hennessey And Wingy Brubeck, from his LP 60 Years Of "Music America Hates Best" (Liberty LST 7154, Stereo, 1960). This isn't the crazy Spike Jones of the 40's, but it's not so bad.
2. Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot by The Obernkirchen Children's Choir-Edith Moeller, Conductor, from the album Wandering With The Obernkirchen Children's Choir (Angel S.35839, Recorded in Europe, Stereo, 1961). I almost missed this one until I looked closer at the record itself and realized it was just a retitled version of Auld Lang Syne. Now that I think about it, the titles weren't even listed on the jacket, the whole rear was blank! Heaven knows why I pulled out the record to look, but I did. The force was strong that day.
3. Odun De! Odun De! (Happy New Year) by Olatunji! from the LP Drums Of Passion (Columbia PC 8210 (For Concert Sale Only), Stereo, 1960). Drum solo!!!
4. New Year's Resolutions by Jim Mandell With Mary Hylan & Debby James from Action Songs For Holidays And Special Days (Tom Thumb T 312, Stereo, 1979). Kiddie goodness.
5. Medley: Auld Lang Syne/Goodnight, Ladies/Merrily We Roll Along/Auld Lang Syne by Living Voices from their LP Fun At Home With Living Voices (RCA Camden CAS-714, Stereo, 1962). Lots of medleys today, all featuring that perennial New Year's Eve favorite.
6. Happy New Year by Nat King Cole-Conducted By Gordon Jenkins, from the posthumously released LP The Unforgettable Nat Cole Sings The Great Songs! (Capitol ST 2558, Stereo, 1966). This track was written and recorded by Gordon Jenkins at least twice, both of which I've shared here before. I didn't know about the Nat King Cole version until recently, and now I'm sharing it with you.
7. Auld Lang Syne by the Vincent Lopez Orchestra from that big record set A Century Of American Music (Album Set Productions 4xLP Box 5096 GT 12, Stereo, 1970). In a rather amazing stroke of luck, five of the tracks I'm sharing today are from records that I found in the past week. Sometimes, the stars just align. Sometimes I go weeks without finding a single track of interest, though, so it all balances out.
8. Auld Lang Syne by The Men Of The Robert Shaw Chorale-Robert Shaw, Conductor, a rerun from their LP A Chorus Of Love (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2502, Stereo, 1960).
9. Auld Lang Syne by Chas And Dave from the soundtrack to a British film I've never seen, Party, Party (A&M SP-3212, Stereo, 1982). Reviews of this movie on the internet refer to it as very John Hughes, but not as good. Lots of good stuff on the soundtrack, though.
10. Auld Lang Syne by The Gene Lowell Chorus from Halls Of Ivy (Warner Bros WS 1244, Stereo, 1959), another rerun from years past.
11. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve by The Four Lads With Ray Ellis And His Orchestra from the album The Four Lads Sing Frank Loesser (Columbia CL 1045, Mono, 1957). A rerun, but a good one. And oddly enough, the only version of this track I've dug up all year. I figured it would be a lot more popular than that.
12. Look Ahead by Arthur Godfrey With Orchestra And Chorus Under The Direction Of Archie Bleyer from the LP Arthur Godfrey's TV Calendar Show (Columbia CL 521, Mono, 1953). There are two versions of this track, one that opens the LP and one that closes it. This one is the closer, and I shared the other one with you by accident earlier in the month.
13. Auld Lang Syne, a bit of a mystery track by Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra-Vocal By Vaughn Monroe And The Chorus. I pulled this from a 7" 45 RPM EP that's one of a set of two. I know that much from the catalog number (EPB 3251), but I could find no trace of such a release on the internet. There was no sleeve and it's a various artists thing, which also threw me. So if anyone can dig up any info on this, I'd appreciate it. I know this EP is not where the song originates, though, looks like it was a single first. (Note that this is not the same version I shared from Monroe last year. That one was a later remake for a different label.)
14. Auld Lang Syne by The Sealandair Band from the album they shared with National Band And Orchestra called Marches (Concertone 2013, Mono). Yes, it's a budget label release, so who knows what the real name of the artist might be, or when it was recorded and where.
15. Auld Lang Syne by Sonny Osborne And His Sunny Mountain Boys from the LP Five String Hi-Fi (Hollywood LPH-19, Mono). Another budget thing, but not too bad. Very Flatt & Scruggs to my ears.
And that's it. I won't even pretend that this is the end, since you probably know I always throw a bonus day in for the beginning of September, so be sure to come back around for that. It's been a great year, lots of new music, no interruptions in the sharing, gonna be a tough bar to beat next year, but that's a long way away. Here's the link, see you back tomorrow!
MediaFire
Next to the last day of the month. Big blowout. But I'll let the music speak for itself.
1. Ave Maria Gratia Plena by The Obernkirchen Children's Choir-Edith Moeller, Conductor, from the album On Tour With The Obernkirchen Children's Choir (London 5895, Mono, 1965). How many different Ave Maria's can there be? A lot, I guess.
2. Kewpie Doll by Frankie Vaughan With Raymond Long At The Piano, The Beryl Stott Singers And The London Palladium Orchestra Directed By Reg Cole, from Frankie Vaughan At The Palladium (Columbia CL 1405, Mono, 1960). Well, it is what it is...
3. Skaters Waltz by The Kingsway Strings from A Symphony On Ice (Somerset P-4900, Mono, 1958). Because you needed another version.
4. Virgin Mary by The Weavers from The Weavers At Carnegie Hall Vol. 2 (Vanguard VRS-9075, Mono, 1960). Gotta love these folks.
5. What Child Is This (English Carol) by Yale Glee Club-Fenno Heath, Director-Soloist: Don E. Wheeler, from Yale Glee Club (Carillon LP104, Mono, 1959). Nice vocal version.
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside by The Stereo Brass Choir from Stereo Dialogue For Brass (Columbia CS 8290, Stereo, 1960). A rerun. I was afraid for a while as I was recording tracks this year that I would have too many reruns and not enough new stuff, but I think I've got a good balance.
7. Blue Christmas by Merle Haggard-Vocal Accompaniment: Jordanaires, a great version from My Farewell To Elvis (MCA MCA-2314, Stereo, 1977). What can I say, Elvis is the King.
8. Christmas-Little Star Beam by Betty S. Beem Smith from the LP Birthday Sing Along Songs For Children-Special Christmas Edition (Century 42116, Stereo). I was never clear on what made this a Special Christmas Edition. I've also got a non-special edition, and they appear to be identical. I didn't listen to both, perhaps that's where the difference lies.
9. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (From "The Nutcracker") by Hal Mooney And His Orchestra, a rerun from Ballet With A Beat (Mercury PPS 6017, Stereo, 1961). Great version.
10. The Day The Snow Is Meltin' by Eddie Ericksen-Orchestra And Chorus Directed By Clay Warnick, from the soundtrack album Donnybrook! (Kapp KD-8500-S, Stereo, 1961). I can't tell you how many hours I spend picking up soundtracks and looking for something vaguely related to Christmas. And every once in a while, I get something.
11. Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton And The Whorehouse Girls from another soundtrack, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (MCA MCA-6112, Stereo, 1982). A bit obvious, but I couldn't resist.
12. He Is Born by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, from an album that should be familiar to you by now, Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).
13. I'd Like The Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) by The Mike Curb Congregation and their album Softly Whispering I Love You (MGM SE-4821, Stereo, 1972). I think this is a rerun.
14. International Waltz Medley: Greensleeves; Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That's An Irish Lullaby); O Sole Mio; Tales From The Vienna Woods, a harmonica track by The Lavaliers-Arranged And Conducted By Eddy Manson from their album Peg O' My Heart And Other Harmonica Favorites (RCA Camden CAS-810, Stereo, 1964). I love the harmonica!
15. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by James W. Keane, performed on the carillon, pulled from Bells Over Rochester-The World Famous City's Carillon (Tom Jones Recording Studio TJS-11975-A/B, Stereo, 1975).
16. June In January by Nelson Riddle from his album The Joy Of Living (Capitol ST1148, Stereo, 1959).
17. Mary Had A Baby by Jessye Norman With The Ambrosian Singers-Chorus Master: John McCarthy-Conducted By Willis Patterson from Spirituals (Philips 9500 651 (The Netherlands), Stereo, 1978). Something about this record that I thought was odd, besides it being from The Netherlands, but I can't remember it now... Oh, John McCarthy, that name should be familiar to those of you who've downloaded a couple of Christmas albums by him here at the blog.
18. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by Al Melgard from his album Al Melgard At The Chicago Stadium Organ-World's Largest Theatre Pipe Organ (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5886, Stereo, 1959). Now this I'm sure is a rerun.
19. Silver Bells (no, not that one, unfortunately) by Marv Herzog from the LP Marv Herzog's World Of Polkas And Waltzes (Herzog H-1031, Stereo, 1970).
20. Snow Dove by Jay Ungar & Lyndon Hardy from Songs, Ballads & Fiddle Tunes (Philo 1023, Stereo, 1975). No clue about this one...
21. The Toy Trumpet by Don Baker and his album Sound Showcase (Capitol ST 1908, Stereo, 1963). That Raymond Scott was something.
There you go, 21 tracks, a new record, I think. Gotta be something in there somewhere you like. If not, you may be at the wrong blog. Anyhow, here's the link, and I hope to see you tomorrow for another great collection of Christmas music!
MediaFire
I had forgotten about this until I saw the short film at the opening to the Olympic games. I guess there is a similar statue to this somewhere in London, and in that film, Winston Churchill comes to life and waves at a helicopter carrying James Bond and Queen Elizabeth II. This statue is in front of the British Embassy in Washington, DC. I shot it in 2011 when I went up for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Technically speaking, I've now been to England, because the back half of the statue is considered to be inside the embassy grounds, and that's considered English soil. So when I walked around the statue, I visited England! And without a passport, too!
I went down to the beach last night to shoot the sunset, and while that didn't work out so well, I did see this little bird hopping around on the shore, eating this and that, just doing his thing. It wasn't until after I got home and looked at the pictures that I realized what poor shape he was in.One of his feet is completely gone, and the other one is twisted up in old fishing line. This is why they have those disposal tubes for fishing line all over the place. I hear people making fun of them, but this is what happens when we dispose of non-degradable items in an unsafe way. I'm not entirely sure what type of bird this is, though. I think it may be a ruddy turnstone.
Not much longer now. What a long strange trip it's been. But I'm not giving up yet. I've got plenty of good stuff saved up to share out these last few days, I don't think you'll be disappointed. On your marks, get set, go!
1. White Christmas by Vincent Lopez Singers from the big box set A Century Of American Music (Album Set Productions 4xLP Box 5096 GT 12, Stereo, 1970). I just picked this up this morning, and there was yet another Christmas song (or two) that I needed to share out this month. Christmas music really is everywhere if you look for it.
2. The Sleigh Ride by Vienna Volksoper Orchestra-Josef Leo Gruber, Conductor, another track from a big box set, this time it's Music Adventures For Young People (Readers Digest (RCA Custom) 4xLP RD4-32, Stereo). This is not the Leroy Anderson classic, this is from Mozart. Also, there are several tracks on this box that I brought you last year from a similar box or two, but this track wasn't on those boxes.
3. Run Rudolph Run, a bit of a ringer by Dave Edmunds, I grabbed it from the soundtrack to the movie Party, Party (A&M SP-3212, Stereo, 1982). This is a little too new for me, but really, it's thirty years old at this point.
4. Our Winter Love by The Letterman and that same old album of theirs, Warm (Capitol ST 2633, Stereo, 1967).
5. Noel With Variations ("Joseph Est Bien Marié") by E. Power Biggs from his album Historic Organs Of France-The Great Silbermann Organs Of Alsace (Columbia Masterworks MS 7438, Played On The Organ At The Abbey Church Of Ebersmunster, Stereo, 1970). This is the last of the Noels I have for you from this LP. Hope you enjoyed them.
6. Herbert: Toyland (From "Babes In Toyland") by Carmen Dragon Conducting The Capitol Symphony Orchestra from Nightfall (Capitol SP 8575, Stereo, 1962). Yes, Carmen Dragon is the father of The Captain from Captain And Tennille.
7. Hallelujah Chorus by Robert Shaw Conducts The 200 Voices Of The Cleveland Chorus And Members Of The Cleveland Orchestra, from the double LP Yours Is My Heart Alone/All-Time Favorites (RCA Victor Red Seal 2xLP VCS-7023, Stereo, 1963). Pretty sure this is a rerun around here.
8. Buglers Holiday by The Four Saints from their eponymous album (Warner Bros WS1477, Stereo, 1962). I've already shared a version of this song by these guys here this month, but it's not the same as this one. At least I don't think it is. Someone may correct me on that.
9. The Bells Of St. Mary's by David Carroll And His Orchestra from Repercussion (Mercury SR 60029, Stereo, 1959). Feel the beat.
10. Winter Wonderland by Sy Mann At The Lowrey from Songs Of The Four Seasons (Golden Crest CR 3007, Mono, 1957). Nice.
11. Toy Concertino by Johnny Green And The M.G.M. Studio Orchestra from the soundtrack album Grounds For Marriage (MGM 3x10" 78 RPM 67, Mono, 1951). Yes, that's right, I actually pulled a track off of a 78 set for you today. Pretty sure that's a first for Christmas in July.
12. Snowfall by Joe Harnell from Golden Piano Hits (Columbia CL 2466 (Radio Station Copy-Clear Yellow Vinyl), Mono, 1966). That yellow vinyl was quite the surprise. There's a joka about yellow snowfall in here somewhere, but I'm not going to make it.
13. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by Eddie Dunstedter At The Console from Mister Pipe Organ (Capitol T1128, Mono, 1959). Not sure if I'd want to be known as Mister Pipe Organ, but that's just me.
14. Let There Be Peace by The Choral Group Of The Sisters Of St. Dominic Of Caldwell, NJ, from their album The Sisters' Concert (Foto Disk 415, Mono, 1964). I think I liked Liberace's version better.
15. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Leopold Stokowski Conducting The New Symphony Orchestra Of London With The Norman Luboff Choir from the LP Inspiration (RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2593, Mono, 1962). Gotta love anything featuring Norman Luboff.
16. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Ray Noble And His Orchestra-Vocal By Howard Barrie from We Danced All Night (RCA Camden CAL 380, Mono), which is probably just a collection of old singles, but I'm not sure. I couldn't even find a good date for this one.
17. The Day The Snow Is Meltin' by The Pete King Orchestra from Moon River (Kapp Medallion ML-7533, Mono, 1962). Pete King is not known much these days, but he put out some good stuff, especially when it came to Christmas music.
18. Ave Maria-Schubert by Charles M. Courboin At The Grand Court Organ-Wannamaker's, Philadelphia from the album An Organ Recital (RCA Camden CAL218, Mono, 1955). Last, but not least.
That's right, eighteen great tracks tonight. They just keep right on a-comin'. Here's the link, go download yourself some Christmas cheer, and keep comin' back around for more.
MediaFire
Coming down to the wire now. I've got a lot left to share, though, so prepare yourselves!
1. Sweet Little Jesus Boy by Bill Jackson With Don Hustad And Chorale from A Collection Of Hymns And Spiritual Songs (Word W 3037-LP, Mono, 1958). Bass, how low can you go?
2. Waltz Of The Flowers by The Kingsway Strings from their LP A Symphony On Ice (Somerset P-4900, Mono, 1958). Yes, it's a budget label, but it's early budget label, so it's not fallen all to pieces yet. I shared out a track from this LP many moons ago, but never this track for some reason.
3. Baby, It's Cold Outside, one of the all-time great versions of this track by Al Hirt And Ann-Margret-Orchestra Arranged And Conducted By Marty Paich, from the LP Beauty And The Beard (RCA Victor (Germany) LSP-2690, Stereo, 1964). A match that shouldn't work, but does.
4. Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, more Shakespeare music by The Elizabethan Consort Of Viols, The Taylor Consort Of Recorders, Leslie Pearson-Conductor With Paul Whitman Jones, Et. Al., from the LP Songs From The Plays Of Shakespeare (The Shakespeare Recording Society/A Caedmon Production 3xLP SRS 242-S, Stereo, 1964).
5. Coventry Carol, another track from Oscar Brand, this time from the LP Golden Slumbers-Lullabies From Near And Far (Caedmon TC 1399, Stereo, 1972). That Caedmon label put out some amazing stuff over the years.
6. Joy To The World by The Orchestra Of LeRoy Holmes from the soundtrack album The Devil's Brigade (United Artists UAS 6654, Stereo, 1968). This was one of my favorite finds in my very first year of Christmas In July shares. This is a new rip with much-improved sound.
7. Luther's Cradle Hymn by The All Churches Children's Choir from the LP Sunday School Songs (RCA Camden CAS-1062, Stereo, 1965). Another rerun.
8. Noel With Variations ("Quand La Sauveur Jésus-Christ Fut Né De Marie"), an organ track, but more classical than most, by E. Power Biggs from the LP Historic Organs Of France-The Great Silbermann Organs Of Alsace (Columbia Masterworks MS 7438, Played On The Organ At The Abbey Church Of Ebersmunster, Stereo, 1970). I think I was supposed to put an umlaut over the e in Noel, but I forgot. I hate when that happens.
9. Our Winter Love by Bill Pursell-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Grady Martin, from his album Our Winter Love-Introducing The Piano Magic Of Bill Pursell (Columbia CS 8792, Stereo, 1963). Another rerun. I seem to recall getting a note from Bill's daughter when I first shared this.
10. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by The Wurlitzer Calliola from the LP Big Top Circus Calliope Featuring The Wurlitzer Calliola At Paul Eakins' Gay 90s Village (Audio Fidelity AFSD 5986, Stereo, 1963). The folks at Audio Fidelity sure loved their calliopes and other automatic music machines. There must be 100 similar albums on the label.
11. Shepherds And Lasses by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, from the LP Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967).
12. Sleigh Ride by Werner Müller And His Orchestra from the LP Werner Müller Plays Leroy Anderson (London Phase 4 SP 44057, Stereo, 1965). It's almost always a safe bet that you'll get a version of Sleigh Ride anytime you pick up an LP that has something to do with Leroy Anderson.
13. Snow Deer by Marv Herzog from Marv Herzog's World Of Polkas And Waltzes (Herzog H-1031, Stereo, 1970). I haven't been able to share out enough polkas with you this year, but I hope to make that up at Christmas time. I picked up five or six polka Christmas records last weekend. We'll see if I can stand to record all of them.
14. Sun Valley Ski Run by Esquivel And His Orchestra from Strings Aflame (RCA Victor LSP-1988, Stereo, 1959). Maybe or maybe not Christmas related, but any excuse to stick Esquivel in here.
15. To Us A Child Is Born by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from their album Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal Records S225, Stereo, 1981). I think this is the last we'll hear from these guys this year.
16. White Christmas by Neal Hefti And His Orchestra from the LP Hollywood Song Book-Vol. 1 (Coral CRL 757241, Stereo, 1958). I thought I'd shared this earlier in the month, but I guess not.
17. Winter Is Outside by Lillyan Parson, Narrator, With David Halsman & The Wonderland Orchestra And Singers from the LP The Four Seasons (Summer-Fall-Winter-Spring) (Wonderland WLP-305, Stereo, 1975). More from this kiddie record.
And that's it, 17 tracks tonight as I try to make sure the folder is empty before the end of the month shows up in a few days. Be sure to keep coming back until the end!
MediaFire
I know the Olympics are starting tonight, but it's tape delayed. You aren't going to miss much if you download a little Christmas music first. And I don't want to spoil anything for you, but yes, James Bond and The Queen parachute into the stadium and light the Olympic flame with a molotov cocktail. Now, to the music!
1. Christmas Bells Are Ringing by Lillyan Parson, Narrator, With David Halsman & The Wonderland Orchestra And Singers, from the kiddie album The Four Seasons (Summer-Fall-Winter-Spring) (Wonderland WLP-305, Stereo, 1975). I should do a whole collection of these kinds of songs, the ones that are meant to be catchy yet out of copyright. I've got loads of them, some good, some not good.
2. Catch: Hodge Told Sue by 1978 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, possibly the last song from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979). Not that they weren't good, there were just a lot of them.
3. White Christmas by Joe Bushkin-His Piano And Orchestra from Bushkin Spotlights Berlin (Capitol T911, Mono, 1957). There are 50 tracks on this LP, or at least 50 songs in two side-long medleys, so you can guess about how long this track is.
4. Waltz Of The Flowers, another track by The Continental Symphony Orchestra, Narrated By Art Gilmore And Don Wilson from the collection of old stuff called Classics For Children Volume 2 (Capitol T3248, Mono, 1957). Nice, but not very Christmas-feeling.
5. Skaters Waltz (Schlittschuhläufer) by Helmut Zacharias And His Magic Violins from his album Magic Violins (Decca DL 8431, Mono, 1957). Try saying that title three times fast. Schlittschuhläufer, Schlittschuhläufer, Schlittschuhläufer!
6. A Seasonal Sonatina: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring by Jane Connell, Jack Fletcher, Jean Arnold, Ceil Cabot, George Hall, Gerry Matthews, a comedy bit from the rather interesting album Demi-Dozen (Offbeat Records O-4015, Mono, 1958). I guess this is the soundtrack to some off-Broadway comedy show in NYC. It's different. I was going to edit out everything but the Christmas bits, but I think you'll appreciate each of the four seasons as they are.
7. Puer Natus Est Nobis (Introit From 3rd Christmas Mass), the last track I'm sharing by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, from the LP The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973). At least I think it's the last track...
8. Please Santa Claus, a rerun comedy bit from way back by Anna Russell With Jimmy Carroll And His Miserable Five, but recently rerecorded from the album A Square Talk On Popular Music Or The Decline And Fall Of The Popular Song (Columbia Masterworks ML 5036, Mono, 1955). This is the whole selection, not just the music.
9. Medley: All Alone; I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; Marie; Heat Wave; The Song Is Ended by Reg Owen And His Orchestra from The Best Of Irving Berlin-30 Songs (RCA Victor LPM-1542. Mono, 1957). Nice little medley.
10. March Of The Bob Cats by Bob Crosby's Bob Cats from their self-titled collection (Decca DL8061, Mono, 1954). No, not a Christmas song, really, but I like marches.
11. Het Was Een Maghet Uutvercoren (A Virgin Was Chosen) by Ghent Oratorio Society (The Gentse Oratoriumvereniging)-Conducted By Marcel De Pauw, another track from Flemish Choral Music (Esoteric ES-514, Mono, 1953).
12. Coventry Carol by The Whiffenpoofs-Solo: Daniel B. "Rockin' 'n'" Rowland, from Whiffenpoofs Of 1963 (Soundcraft Associates SA-206, Mono, 1963). In case you didn't know, The Whiffenpoofs are a singing group from Yale.
13. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Perry Bechtel from Banjo-The Greatest Of Them All (RCA Victor LPM-1770, Mono, 1959). Yep, Christmas music on the banjo!
14. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Neal Hefti And His Orchestra from the double LP Hollywood Song Book (Coral 2xLP CX-2, Mono, 1958). This was the only record I brought back from my trip to New York City last autumn. I found it in the Salvation Army store just up the street from the USS Intrepid. I didn't have the double LP version, but it turned out I had one of the LPs in single form and in stereo, so the other track from a similarly titled LP I shared earlier this month is in stereo.
15. Ave Maria by The Choral Group Of The Sisters Of St. Dominic Of Caldwell, NJ from the LP The Sisters' Concert (Foto Disk 415, Mono, 1964). Standard stuff.
16. Noel With Variations ("Or Nous Dites Marie") by E. Power Biggs from Historic Organs Of France-The Great Silbermann Organs Of Alsace (Columbia Masterworks MS 7438, Played On The Organ At The Abbey Church Of Ebersmunster, Stereo, 1970). Sixteen tracks? Sure, why not. It's getting near the end, and I have plenty. :)
That's it, now I can go watch the opening ceremonies.
MediaFire
26 days in a row! A new record! Hope you're enjoying all the music this month. I'm also sharing out a record number of tracks, though many of them are newer recordings of tracks I've shared before. Hopefully, I've saved enough interesting tracks to hold your interest through the entire month. I think in the past, I've front loaded my shares with things I found more interesting, and the later weeks get more and more boring. But hopefully that's not the case this year. Enough blathering, on to the Christmas music!
1. The Nutcracker Suite by Les Brown And His Band Of Renown from the LP Concert Modern (Capitol ST959, Stereo, 1958). Perhaps the swingingest version of this classic ever put to vinyl. I've shared it before, but here it is again because you need to listen to it again!
2. In Bethlehem by Johnny Cash, not from any of his Christmas albums but from The Holy Land (Columbia KCS 9726, Stereo, 1969). It's a album that mixes spoken word bits recorded in The Holy Land with gospel songs, including his hit Daddy Sang Bass. In this track, he describes his visit to the site of Christ's birth. Almost forgot to mention, my copy of this album has a lenticular panel in it, so Johnny appears in the holy land in 3D!
3. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Paul Anka, Conducted By Sid Feller, from the album Swings For Young Lovers (ABC Paramount ABCS-347, Stereo, 1960). Pretty sure I shared a mono copy of this with you before, so here it is in glorious two channel.
4. A Ceremony Of Carols by The Robert Shaw Chorale-Robert Shaw, Conductor, from the album Benjamin Britten: A Ceremony Of Carols; Rejoice In The Lamb; Festival Te Deum (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2759, Stereo, 1964). Very long, not particularly exciting...
5. White Christmas by Reg Owen And His Orchestra from The Best Of Irving Berlin-30 Songs (RCA Victor LPM-1542, Mono, 1957).
6. Wedding Of The Painted Doll by The Triads, a bunch of 3 Suns wanna-be's, from their LP Sunrise Serenade (Waldorf Music Hall MHK 33-1229, Mono, 1958).
7. Snowfall (Theme Song) by Claude Thornhill And His Orchestra from his album Dancing After Midnight (Columbia CL 709, Mono, 1955). Is this the hit version? I doubt it. Claude re-recorded this song so many times over the years, I doubt if he remembered which one was the original.
8. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt-Orchestra Directed By Maurice Levine, a later re-recording from the LP Revisited (Kapp KL-1192, Mono, 1960). I think this exists in Stereo, but I've never seen it. I wish she'd recorded more Christmas music, but the four tracks left by that bad Eartha are pretty good.
9. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers by Joe "Fingers" Carr from Honky-Tonk Street Parade (Capitol T809, Mono, 1957). This song is tailor made for this performance.
10. Little Jack Horner, one for the kiddies by Cynthia Gooding And Don Drake from the LP Mother Goose And Father Gander (RCA Camden CAL-1058, Mono, 1965).
11. Italian Jingle Bells by Lou Monte With Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra And Chorus, found on the album Lou Monte Sings Songs For Pizza Lovers (RCA Victor LPM-1877, Mono, 1958). I wasn't aware that this appeared on one of Lou's LPs, I always thought it was a single-only track. But there it was.
12. Hanover Winter Song, a rerun from Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-The Glee Men from the LP College Memories (Decca DL8222, Mono, 1956).
13. Go Tell It On The Mountain by Mahalia Jackson, pulled from the reissue LP Just As I Am (Kenwood/Nashboro LP 479 (Reissue of Apollo LP from 1958), Mono, 1964).
14. Bring Your Torches, Jeannette, Isabella, tonight's obligatory track from The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor and the album The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973).
15. Ave Maria by Alfred Newman And His Hollywood Symphony Orchestra from the LP In Concert (Mercury MG 20070, Mono). I didn't know he recorded any music for Mercury, but here's the proof.
OK, that's all for tonight. I'm off to bed early. Have a good evening, and leave me lots of comments!
MediaFire
Warning, only 5 months 'til Christmas! I'd better get started recording the Christmas albums, but first I've got to finish up Christmas in July. Here are another 15 tracks to get you through the long hot summer.
1 & 2. When Icicles Hang (AKA When Icicles Hang By The Wall) & Lawn As White As Driven Snow by The Elizabethan Consort Of Viols, The Taylor Consort Of Recorders, Leslie Pearson-Conductor With Paul Whitman Jones, Et. Al., from the LP Songs From The Plays Of Shakespeare (The Shakespeare Recording Society/A Caedmon Production 3xLP SRS 242-S, Stereo, 1964). There are actually four or five more artists listed for this and the other songs on this 3 LP set, but I could only fit so much in there. I grabbed this set a few months ago when I spotted several winter-themed tracks and thought it could make for interesting Christmas in July material. I'll let you be the judge of that. (Not sure how I wound up with two tracks from this album in the same share. I've tried to avoid that all month, but I did it tonight...)
3. Waltz Of The Flowers (From "The Nutcracker") by Hal Mooney And His Orchestra from Ballet With A Beat (Mercury PPS 6017, Stereo, 1961). Another track from this great LP, a rerun, but still great. Dig those bongos!
4. Snowbird, the Anne Murray hit, performed on the organ by Chris Anderson from his LP Delicate Balance (Anco Music Company ANC 6616, Stereo, c. 1974). I say this is from 1974 because that's the date on the inscription from the front cover. Well, the earliest inscription. There's a second inscription from 11 years later talking about how good it is to see someone again. There were also a handful of clippings in the sleeve. Someone had a fan... Oh, and that weird noise on just one channel at the end, that's at the end of a couple of the songs. Seems to be on the vinyl that way. No idea why...
5. The Nutcracker, explained to you by Norman Rose from the LP The Story Of Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky In Words And Music (Parents' Magazine Music Appreciation Library Vol. 4/Colpix CP 443, Stereo). For those of you who wonder what all the fuss is about.
6. My Favorite Things by pianist Peter Nero from The Screen Scene Starring Peter Nero (RCA Victor LSP-3496, Stereo, 1966).
7. March Of The Toys by Frederick Fennell And Orchestra from Frederick Fennell Conducts Victor Herbert (Mercury SR 60954, Stereo, 1964). I think this is a rerun.
8. The Little Red Drum by The Harry Simeone Chorale from The Magic Of Their Singing (20th Century Fox 2xLP TCF 108-2S, Stereo, 1961). Didn't I share another drum song from these guys with you this month, but not Little Drummer Boy?
9. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm Cha Cha Cha from Joe Cain And His Orchestra and the album Irving Berlin Goes Latin (Seeco CELP 4330, Stereo, 1959). Now that's what I'm talking about!
10. Hosanna by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from the LP Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal S225, Stereo, 1981). Hope you're enjoying the cuts from this LP.
11. Hallelujah (The Messiah) by Gordon MacRae-Orchestra Conducted By Van Alexander from Hallowed Be Thy Name (Capitol (EMI) ST 1466, Stereo, 1960). Another piece of music I've tried to avoid this season, but some versions are worth the trouble.
12. Greensleeves-A Foggy day, a medley by The Melachrino Strings And Orchestra from Our Man In London (RCA Victor LSP-2608, Stereo, 1963). Someday I need to see if I can put together all of these "Our Man In..." albums. I think I have most of them, but not all in a single big stack somewhere.
13. Christmas Day, a rerun by Edward Winter, Kay Oslin, Rita O'Conner, Julane Stites, Neil Jones, from the soundtrack Promises, Promises-Original Broadway Cast Album (United Artists UAS 9902, Stereo, 1968). One of only a couple Christmas songs written by Bacharach-David.
14. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Henry Mancini, His Orchestra And Chorus, from The Academy Award Songs-31 "Oscar" Winners (RCA Victor 2xLP LSP-6013, Stereo, 1966). Another rerun.
15. Dancing Doll by Pauline Alpert from 18 Favorite Piano Moods AKA Moonlight Piano (Brigade P1314S, Stereo). This is almost certainly a reissue of an LP from Grand Award, but I couldn't figure out exactly which one. The cover is a crappy painting by the same guy who did all those Grand Award covers. And once again, the sleeve doesn't match the vinyl when it comes to the title of the album. Shocking!
That's it. 15 more tracks, and it's all down to the last week around here. Stick around for more!
MediaFire
Whew, where does the time go? I've been recording more music for you all evening, and now I'm posting a little late. Not that late, but I'd still like to be done by now. But at least one of the songs I recorded might turn out to be a true gem. If nothing else, it's rare enough to turn up only in a YouTube cover version on the internet. Let's start with that one.
1. The Really Remarkable Star by Oscar Brand from an odd little LP called Celebrate-Highlights From A Presentation To The 1970 Assembly Of Women's Society Of Christian Service And Wesleyan Guild-Houston, Texas (Infinity Records 1001 (Selections from 'The Bridge Of Hope' and 'Songs For The Feast Days'), Stereo, 1970). This song is from side 2, the one subtitled 'Songs For The Feast Days'. Anyhow, I've never heard this song before, and the only mention of it on the internet is a cover on YouTube by a folk artist who learned it from a cassette tape. Oscar Brand was an odd fellow, recording folk music of all sorts for Elektra in the 60's, often releasing themed albums with Air Force songs, Marine songs, skiing songs, bawdy songs, etc. This one appears to be a souvenir from a woman's club show. The LP sleeve is only printed on one side, but the vinyl looks professional. It's awfully well recorded to be a souvenir, though. Anybody ever heard this before? Anybody know anything more about it? It's an interesting story from the POV of one of the 3 wise men.
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by The Smothers Brothers from Think Ethnic! (Mercury SR 60777, Stereo, 1963). The third and final Christmas comedy bit from the brothers Smothers. I found a handful of comedy bits that I didn't share out back on comedy day, so you're getting all those tonight, starting with this rerun.
3. Let Us Hang The Holly, a sort of funny bit from Anna Russell With Eugene Rankin, Piano, And Arthur Hoberman, Flute, and the LP A Square Talk On Popular Music Or The Decline And Fall Of The Popular Song (Columbia Masterworks ML 5036, Mono, 1955). From Side 2 "Survey of Singing From Madrigals To Modern Opera". I'll let you decide if this is funny or not.
4. Department Store Santa Claus by Jimmy Joyce-Orchestra Conducted By Billy Liebert And Carl Brandt from the LP The Garbage Collector In Beverly Hills (Warner Bros B 1254, Mono, 1959). First off, is that THE Jimmy Joyce? Right label, right era...but he's singing, not leading the voices. This funny little bit caught my eye about a year ago on an LP I'd never seen before, and when I saw it, I knew I had to come off the $10 they wanted for it. I think you'll enjoy it.
5. Christmas Is Our Business by Charlie Manna from Manna-Live! (Decca DL 4213, Mono, 1962). Another funny bit, this one tells the story of how modern Christmas songs get written. This will ring true to fans of Christmas music everywhere.
6. O Come All Ye Faithful; Angels We Have Heard On High; Hark The Herald Angels Sing, a non-funny medley by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, pulled from their album Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal S225, Stereo, 1981). Nice mix of carols.
7. Just Because from the dream team of Al Hirt And Ann-Margret-Orchestra Arranged And Conducted By Marty Paich, and the LP Beauty And The Beard (RCA Victor (Germany) LSP-2690, Stereo, 1964). No, it's not Christmas, but they mention Santa and St. Nick, so I'm throwing it in here.
8. Snowfall gets the treatment from Esquivel, His Piano And His Orchestra, from the LP More Of Other Worlds, Other Sounds (Reprise R-6046, Mono, 1962). Still haven't found a stereo copy of the vinyl on this one, but Esquivel's records never sit around the thrift stores long enough for me to find them.
9. Maria Die Soude Naer Bethlehem Gaen (Mary Went To Bethlehem) by Ghent Oratorio Society (The Gentse Oratoriumvereniging)-Conducted By Marcel De Pauw-George Minne-Piano, from the LP Flemish Choral Music (Esoteric ES-514, Mono, 1953). Not the sort of thing I usually listen to, but nice for a bit of a change. How did I know this was Christmas music? It's on the back under the section "Flemish Christmas Music". Very helpful, that.
10. I Never Has Seen Snow by Quincy Jones from the LP The Great Wide World Of Quincy Jones (Mercury MG 20561, Mono, 1960). Yep, that Quincy Jones.
11. The First Snow Of Winter by Arthur Godfrey With Orchestra And Chorus Under The Direction Of Archie Bleyer, another track from Arthur Godfrey's TV Calendar Show (Columbia CL 521, Mono, 1953). This whole album is pretty good, actually.
12. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) by the great Sammy Davis, Jr., a rerun from the album The Nat King Cole Song Book (Reprise R-6164, Mono, 1965). Never seen a stereo copy of this, but I know they exist...
13. The Bells Of St. Mary's by The Easternaires, a bit of barbershop I missed earlier in the season from the album Once Over Lightly (RCA Victor LPM-2263, Mono, 1961). Good stuff.
14. Ave Maria by Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Glee Club And Orchestra-Jane Wilson, Soloist, from Songs Of Devotion (Decca DL 8670, Mono, 1958). You can't go wrong with Fred Waring.
Nice mix of the sacred and the profane tonight. I won't tell you which is which, you'll have to figure it out on your own. More tomorrow, so don't forget to stop back by. Here's your download link.
MediaFire
Everybody on board? Good, then let's go!
1. White Christmas by Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians, a small slice of a huge medley from Berlin By Lombardo (Capitol ST1019, Stereo, 1958). If it sounds a little funny at the beginning and end, that's just me fading in and out of the medley.
2. Sunflakes Fall, Snowrays Call by Janis Ian from her album ...For All The Seasons Of Your Mind (Verve Forecast FTS-3024, Stereo, 1967). Very hippy.
3. Snowfall-Cha-Cha by Billy May from his LP Cha Cha Billy May (Capitol ST1329, Stereo, 1960). Yes, you've heard it before, but here it is again.
4. Sleighride by Sauter-Finegan And Their Orchestra, a remake from their later stereo LP for United Artists, The Return Of The Doodletown Fifers (United Artists Ultra Audio WWS 8511, Stereo, 1960). This is also known as Midnight Sleighride, one of my favorite non-traditional Christmas songs.
5. Santa Claus, a short comedy bit from The Smothers Brothers and their album Mom Always Liked You Best! (Mercury SR 61051, Stereo, 1965). I first shared this out many years ago, but it's time for a revisit!
6. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers gets the full-on percussion treatment in Stereo Action courtesy of Dick Schory's Percussion Pops Orchestra and the LP Holiday For Percussion (RCA Victor "Stereo Action" LSA-2485, Stereo, 1962). I'm sure I've shared this out before, but like so many things this year, I'm bringing it back, sounding better than ever.
7. Nativity From "King Of Kings" by The Metropolitan Pop Orchestra-Conducted By Miklos Rozsa from the LP Music From The Motion Picture The Bible-The Ten Commandments-The Greatest Story Ever Told-King Of Kings-Ben Hur (MGM SE-4417, Stereo, 1966). Very soundtracky, which it is.
8. My Favorite Things by Julie Budd from her album Wild And Wonderful (MGM SE-4607, 1969). Hmmm...different.
9. March Of The Toys by Johnny Kemm from The Invisible Brass Band-Johnny Kemm Brings It To Life With The Revolutionary Lowrey Brass Symphonizer (Concert Recording CR-E112, Stereo). This appears to be something I shared out for the first time last year, which I didn't realize until it was too late. I try not to reshare stuff so soon...
10. Lonely Winter by Ralph Marterie And His Marlboro Men from the LP Marvelous Marterie (Mercury Wing SRW 12511, Stereo, 1958). Another rerun, there seem to be an awful lot of them tonight for some reason. I certainly didn't plan it that way.
11. June In January by Billy Vaughn from Ode To Billy Joe (Dot DLP 25828, Stereo, 1967).
12. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Starring Warren Covington from The Swingin' Era (Decca DL 78914, Stereo, 1959). Nothing really to do with Tommy Dorsey whatsoever, they just used his name.
13. Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown? by Nina-Arranged & Conducted By John Barry from the soundtrack album On Her Majesty's Secret Service (United Artists UAS 5204, Stereo, 1969). Yes, that's Bond, James Bond music. I've known about this track for a while now, but never had the chance to share it previously. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
14. Shepherds Come A-Running, an obligatory track from The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, and the LP The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973). This is the only mono track of the evening. How did that happen?
And that's all for tonight. Short, but sweet. There's some good stuff in the pile this evening, both new and rerun. Have at it!
MediaFire
And so begins Day 22 of Christmas In July. For those of you who care, The Dark Knight Rises is really good. Go see it. Nothing to do with Christmas, though. You'll never look at Anne Hathaway as a fairytale princess again! Anyhow, on with the show.
1. Ave Maria, a great version by The Roger Wagner Chorale With The Capitol Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Roger Wagner, from the LP Holy, Holy, Holy (Capitol P8498, Mono, 1959). My recording is a little messed up on the loudest sections, though. Sorry.
2. The Bells Of St. Mary's by Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Stuart Churchill, Soloist, from their LP Songs Of Inspiration (Decca DL 8709, Mono, 1958).
3. Christmas Morn-Hymn 24 (Blest Christmas Morn) by Unknown Music Students-Directed By Frederick Jagel-Gertrude Litchfield, Pianist, from the album Let Us Sing Hymns By Mary Baker Eddy (Published By The Trustees Under The Will Of Mary Baker G. Eddy, Boston, Massachusetts XTV 60350/60349, Mono). Don't know anything about these Christian Scientists...
4. Es Hat Sich Heut' Eroffnet, tonight's contribution from The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, and the album The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973). A 'Tyrolean Christmas Carol' it said, so there you go.
5. Dancing Doll by Anna Maria Alberghetti from her album Songs By Anna Maria Alberghetti (Mercury/Wing MGW 12135, Mono, 1954). Is this Italian?
6. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Joe Bushkin-His Piano And Orchestra from Bushkin Spotlights Berlin (Capitol T911, Mono, 1957). If memory serves, this whole album is a couple of side-long medleys. I had to cut this out of the middle of it. 50 individual songs they mixed together!
7. One Little Candle by The Jesus And Mary Choral Group-Vocal Solo By Mother Mary Of Joy, R.J.M, and the album These Things I Wish For You (Columbia CL 1884, Mono, 1962). I hadn't really thought of this as a Christmas song, but then I saw where no less an authority than Perry Come must think it is, since he released it as a Christmas Seals single one year for the holidays. Good enough provenance for me.
8. Runaway Rocking Horse by David Carroll And His Orchestra from the LP Toe Tappers (Mercury MG 20064, Mono, 1955). Nothing really to do with Christmas, just a nice toy-themed song title.
9. Silent Night by Charles M. Courboin At The St. Patrick's Cathedral Organ-New York City, from the LP An Organ Recital (RCA Camden CAL218, Mono, 1955). A real Christmas song, how nice.
10. Toyland by Vaughn Monroe And His Orchestra from the collection of old singles Dance With Me! (RCA Camden CAL-329, Mono, 1956). This is a rerun, but still nice.
11. Brazillian Sleighbells from Ralph Wolf And The Thomas Celebrity and his album The Celebrities (Concert Recording CR-E055, Stereo). Yes, this is the Percy Faith song, it's just oddly retitled for some reason.
12. Contraponto Bestiale Alla Mente by 1977 Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, today's track from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979). Almost done with this one, finally. The animal sounds crack me up...
13. The Frozen Logger, another track by Odetta from her LP Odetta At Town Hall (Vanguard VSD-2109, Stereo, 1962). She's singing this awful formally for some reason.
14. Medley: Winter Wonderland-I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Hap Miller And The Hap Miller Sun Valley Orchestra from the LP It Happened In Sun Valley (Stanal Records S-1010, Stereo, 1964). I just realized I've got two versions of I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm in the playlist today. Sorry about that.
There you have it, another 14 groovy tracks. I'm sure you'll enjoy these. See you again tomorrow.
MediaFire
Two thirds of the way through the month, approximately! This is the time of the month where I really get burned out on doing this, it seems like it's gone on forever, the end is still a ways off and I'm just tired. But I'm going to keep working towards the goal of giving you more Christmas music than any other blog out there celebrating Christmas In July. Which as near as I can tell, is none. Here we go...
1. Our Winter Love by Al Caiola And His Orchestra from the LP Greasy Kid Stuff (United Artists UAS 6287, Stereo, 1963). Al Caiola did some great stuff in his day. Unfortunately, this isn't his best work. It's not that bad, but you'll still be wearing your socks after listening to it.
2. Coaching Song (Finale From The Little Sweep) (From Part 4 "Winter") by The Budapest Children's Choir-Valeria Botka And Dr. Laszlo Czanyi, Directors, from the album The Budapest Children's Choir At Carnegie Hall (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-286, Stereo, 1966). I hadn't heard this before.
3. Sing We And Chant It by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, another track from University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979). Yawn.
4. The Glad Time by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter from A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961). Is this the last song I have from this LP? Maybe...
5. Holiday, a Bee Gees cover by Claudine Longet from her LP Love Is Blue (A&M AP 4142, Stereo, 1968). She's certainly an acquired taste...
6. Christmas Is Coming by Cynthia Gooding And Don Drake from the kiddie-oriented LP Mother Goose And Father Gander (RCA Camden CAL-1058, Mono, 1965). Folky.
7. Wedding Of The Painted Doll by our friend Ethel Smith from that same LP, Bright And Breezy (Decca DL 8799, Mono, 1958). I like the little bits of The Wedding March she's dropped in here.
8. Greensleeves by George Feyer At The Piano With Orchestra Conducted By Dick Jacobs, from the album Golden Waltzes Everybody Knows (Decca DL74455, Stereo, 1963). How many different labels did George Feyer record for? Vox, Decca, RCA, and, ummm, I'm forgetting a couple...
9. March Of The Toys (From "Babes In Toyland") by Hal Mooney And His Orchestra from Ballet With A Beat (Mercury PPS 6017, Stereo, 1961). This LP is so good, I ripped the whole thing. And I've got a couple more Christmas-themed tracks from it to share with you. It's a rerun from years past, though, so nothing you haven't heard before.
10. Snowfall by Hal Otis And His Orchestra from the LP Music For Hi-Fi Lovers (Westminster WST 15035, Stereo, 1959). A version I hadn't seen before from a great record label and I'm a sucker for anything with Hi-Fi in the title.
11. I'll Be In Sun Valley, another track by Hap Miller And The Hap Miller Sun Valley Orchestra and their album It Happened In Sun Valley (Stanal Records S-1010, Stereo, 1964).
12. White Christmas, a classic from Henry Mancini, His Orchestra And Chorus from the LP The Academy Award Songs-31 "Oscar" Winners (RCA 2xLP Victor LSP-6013, Stereo, 1966). A rerun, but still great.
13. Rise Up Shepherd by The Highwaymen from Standing Room Only! (United Artists UAS 6168, Stereo, 1962). These old folk-oriented LPs are usually a goldmine for Christmas-related tracks.
14. O Come, O Come, Immanuel; All The World Gives Praises Due; How Shall I Meet My Savior? by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from the album Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal Records S225, Stereo, 1981).
15. The Secular Pine-Tree by The Volga Russian Folk Choir-A. Kapiturov, Soloist, from the Soviet-era LP The Volga Russian Folk Choir (Melodiya (USSR) CM 02871-72, Mono).
And that's it, another great selection of tunes for you. I'm posting early today so I can go see the new Batman movie tonight. Wish me luck.
MediaFire
Day 20, where does the time go?
1. White Christmas by The Colgate 13 from The Colgate 13-Colgate University, Hamilton, NY (Recorded Publications Company 32M-29171/2, Mono). Nice college choir.
2. The Wedding Of The Painted Doll by Frank Chacksfield And His Orchestra from the LP You (AKA If I Had A Talking Picture Of You) (London LL 1355, Mono, 1956). There's that old sleeve vs. vinyl title discrepancy again.
3. Troika by Boris Sarbek And His Orchestra from the LP Dark Eyes-Songs Of The Steppes (Columbia "Adventures In Sound" WL 118, Mono, 1958). Sometimes Troika is a nice wintry song, sometimes it's not. I'm not sure what the deal is...
4. The Toy Trumpet by Eddie Dunstedter At The Console from Mister Pipe Organ (Capitol T1128, Mono, 1959). You can't have too many organ records.
5. Out In The Cold Again, a rerun from Don, Dick 'N Jimmy and their album Spring Fever (Crown CLP 5005, Mono, 1957).
6. Let Us Go To Bethlehem by Children's Choir Under The Direction Of Mabel Stewart Boyter, still another cut from A Joyful Sound-Songs For Children (Word W-3137-LP, Mono, 1961).
7. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by one Peter Seeger from the small LP Goofing-Off Suite (Folkways 10" 33 RPM FA 2045, Mono, 1955). Good stuff. Gotta love that banjo. And vocals!
8. Fire And Ice by Bill Snyder-Piano Solo With Orchestra And Rhythm Accompaniment from the album The Lover's Touch (Decca DL 8237, Mono, 1956). Interesting instrumental.
9. Carol Of The Drum by The Trapp Family Singers-Dr. Franz Wasner, Conductor, from the album The Best Of The Trapp Family Singers (MCA 2xLP MCA2-4048, Mono, 1973). Sound familiar? This was recorded before Harry Simeone wrote The Little Drummer Boy. Honest.
10. Brazilian Sleigh Bells, the Percy Faith classic, this time performed by Frederick Fennell Conducting The Eastman-Rochester "Pops" Orchestra from the LP Hi-Fi A La Española (Mercury MG50144, Mono, 1957).
11. The Bells Of St. Mary's, a rerun by Shay Torrent from the album Organ Melodies In Hi-Fi Featuring Shay Torrent On The Mighty Wurlitzer (Mercury MG20139, Mono, 1956).
12. Be A Santa, a track I've searched high and low for, by The McGuire Sisters-Orchestra And Chorus Under Direction Of Burt Farber from their LP Subways Are For Sleeping (Coral CRL 57398, Mono, 1961). Now if I could just find it in stereo.
13. Baby It's Cold Outside by General Electric Transcription Orchestra, from that album with Ronnie Reagan on the front cover, Ronald Reagan Recommends Award Winning Music From Hollywood (General Electric GE-1001, Mono, 1957). It's amazing how much stuff come out in the years between the development of hi-fi recording and the early years of stereo that has fallen out of favor because it was in mono.
14. Ave Maria-Arcadelt by Charles M. Courboin At The St. Patrick's Cathedral Organ-New York City from An Organ Recital (RCA Camden CAL218, Mono, 1955). More organ goodness.
And I think that's enough for tonight. I'm supposed to go see the new Batman movie tomorrow, but after what happened in Colorado, I'm a little concerned. Not that I think anything will happen, but just the thought of what must have gone through the minds of the people in that theater. Here you sit, watching something so violent on the big screen, only to have something similar happen in real life right in front of you, and to you. It's depressing. Anyhow, listen to some Christmas music and maybe you'll feel better.
MediaFire
Am I setting a record here? I'm sure I'll jinx myself, but I'm not sure if I've ever made it this far into a month without missing a day or two. I know one year it took me just over two months to get through, but that was certainly the exception. Most years I just miss a day here and there, especially during the week, then I can usually get caught up on the weekends, when I have more time to record music. We'll see if I can make it through the whole month or not, I know that's never happened. But you don't care about any of that, you just want another album-length slab of great Christmas music, sort of a Goodyear collection of things. And here you go...
1. Ave Maria No Morro (Doña Maria) by Helmut Zacharias And His Magic Violins from Rendezvous For Strings (Decca DL 78982, Stereo). So, so many variations on Ave Maria out there, or perhaps I should say there are so many different songs that share that title. That might be more accurate.
2. Danse Des Mirlitons (From "The Nutcracker"), a rerun in these parts from Xavier Cugat And His Orchestra from the LP The King Plays Some Aces (RCA Victor LSP-1882, Stereo, 1958). I wish there were more music out there from Cugie that would fall under the Christmas banner.
3. Holiday For Strings from Neal Hefti And The Band With The Sweet Beat and the album A Salute To The Instruments (Coral CRL 757286, Stereo, 1960). I think this is the only other version of this song I've got for you this year. It's not very Christmassy in my opinion, so I try to avoid it for the most part But I grabbed at least one other track from this LP at the same time, so here it is.
4. Jingle At The Window (Tideo) by Robert A. Choate, Richard C. Berg, Lee Kjelson, Eugene W. Troth & Children's Choir from the album Music For Early Childhood (American Book Company, Record 1 I-0140-0016, Stereo). I don't know why I recorded this, it just caught my eye...
5. Let There Be Peace On Earth (And Let It Begin With Me) by The International Children's Choir from Take A Moment...And Sing Along With The International Children's Choir (Wide World Records WWR-1604, Stereo, 1969). You never know where you might find something like this.
6. O Come, All Ye Faithful by The Choir Of The First Presbyterian Church Of Dearborn-Alexander J. Turco, Organist And Director, again from the album Carols And Anthems (Artie Fields Productions H-1496/1497, Stereo, 1967). Pretty sure that's Dearborn, Michigan, for anyone that might be wondering.
7. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Esquivel And His Orchestra, the LP is Strings Afire (RCA Victor LSP-1988. Stereo, 1959). Some days I think almost anything Esquivel ever recorded could be considered a holiday recording.
8. Satin Doll by Dick Schory's Percussion Pops Orchestra from Politely Percussive (RCA Victor LSP-2738, Stereo, 1963). More goodness from the golden era at RCA.
9. Sleigh Ride by Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra from Wish You Were Here (RCA Victor LSP-1904, Stereo, 1959). Third in a row from RCA! This time it's a rerun of something I first shared with you many years ago.
10. Snowfall by LeRoy Holmes And His Orchestra from Theme Songs Of The Great Swing Bands (MGM SE3708, Stereo, 1958). The great swing band he's paying tribute to in this case is of course Claude Thornhill.
11. To Us A Child Is Born This Night; Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light; Once He Came In Blessing by The Moravian Trombone Choir Of Downey, Jeffrey Reynolds, Conductor, from Music For Two Seasons: Advent And Christmas, Lent And Easter (Crystal Records S225, Stereo, 1981). More trombone goodness.
12. We Three Kings by James W. Keane from Bells Over Rochester-The World Famous City's Carillon (Tom Jones Recording Studio TJS-11975-A/B, Stereo, 1975).
13. We Wish You A Merry Christmas by Chamber Singers-Robert Summer, Conductor, from the album University Of South Florida Chamber Singers And University Singers (Suncoast Recording Service KM4471, Stereo, 1979).
14. The Wooden Soldier And The China Doll, a rerun from Joe "Fingers" Carr And His Swingin' String Band and his self-titled LP (Capitol ST 1217, Stereo, 1959). I've always liked this song.
Not too much to say about most of the tracks tonight. Plus, it was a long day at work and I'm thinking about going to bed right about now. Enjoy today's tracks, and I'll see you again tomorrow.
MediaFire
I love living in Florida! Where else in the USofA could you live (except maybe Hawaii)
and see something like these guys in the McDonalds drive-thru? Actually, I heard them first, then stuck my head out the window to see them on an overhead power line. But there they were, and they were kind enough to wait until I pulled out the camera to take some pictures. But they never hang around very long when they aren't camouflaged in some foliage. They took off unexpectedly and I was only able to get a shot or two of them in the air. Oh, these are Quaker Parakeets, they aren't native around here, but they have established wild colonies all over this part of Florida and points south. They're really something to see. It's really neat when a whole flock of them fly by, flashing those green wings at you up in the air, and the occasional red tailfeather.
You know what, I shot wild parrots in San Francisco once, so I guess I have to take back what I said about only in Florida and Hawaii.
