Christmas In July 2019-Part 25

Once again, welcome back.  I hope you're all enjoying the Christmas songs this year, whether you're listening to them now or squirreling them away from Christmas listening. Don't forget about them though.  Now, on with the show!

1. Children From New York Public School 24 With Guitar Accompaniment-Why Not Make It All The Time? from Songs For All Year Long (Folkways/Scholastic SC7626, Mono, 1965). Cute song, shame these kids can't sing.

2. Howard Hanson Conducting The Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra-The Winter's Past-Rhapsody For Oboe And Strings from Americana For Solo Winds And String Orchestra (American Music Festival Series Volume 4) (Mercury MG 40003, Mono, 1953).  Some interesting stuff from an interesting series on Mercury.  I always have to check records that I've not seen before, hoping to find a usable track.

3. Ferrante And Teicher With The Ferrante And Teicher Orchestra Conducted By Nick Perito-Ave Maria from Part Two-The Ferrante And Teicher Concert (United Artists UAS 6475, Stereo, 1966).  A live version for a change.

4. Tomita-Footprints In The Snow (Preludes, Book I, No. 6) from Snowflakes Are Dancing-The Newest Sound Of Debussy (RCA Red Seal ARL1-0488, Stereo, 1974).  Not sure if I like this track as much as the other one I shared with you earlier.  This one is very sparse, even ambient.  Which isn't a bad thing, but it borders on sleepy sometimes.

5. Roberta Sherwood With The Malcolm Dodds Singers And Orchestra-Go Tell It On The Mountain from Gospel Goes Pop (aka Gone Gospel) (ABC-Paramount ABCS-464, Stereo, 1963).  A mono version of this track was one of the very first songs I recorded for this year's celebration.  Then the next day I found a stereo version in the pile and had to do it all over again.  Oddly enough, the stereo and mono versions had different titles, but I think that's just dependent on when exactly the LP was pressed.

6. Harry Arnold  And The Strings Of The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra-Moonlight In Vermont from The Moon And The Stars (Mercury SR 60088, Stereo, 1959).  Not sure how Swedish radio stars ended up recording an album for Mercury, but here's the evidence.  Anything can happen, I suppose. Sorry about the noise in this one.  The record goes 'round and around.

7. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-A Rhapsody Of Christmas from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  Your demo track in this share.

8. Josef Locke With Chorus & Orchestra And Organ Conducted By Robert Carruthers-Silent Night, Holy Night from A Tear, A Kiss, A Smile-The Best Of Josef Locke Volume 3 (EMI (UK) GO 2042, Stereo, 1992). A collection of much older recordings in fake stereo, I believe.  I remember finding this in a Salvation Army store in Englewood, Florida, and of course getting a little excited.  I think I found the other volumes had Christmas tracks on them too. And are those different words?  Maybe an unfamiliar verse?

9. The 110 Strings Orchestra-The Skaters' Waltz from Waltz Favorites (Mayfair 9657S Yellow Vinyl, Stereo).  A frequent share around here because I can't pass up the colored vinyl.

10. First United Methodist Church Harp Duet-Star Of The East from 1972 Festival Program (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  A harp duet?  Yes, please!

And on that note, we conclude tonight's programming. Thanks for playing along.  Here's the download link.  See you tomorrow.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 24

Time for another bonus noon-time share of Christmas in July music. I certainly didn't plan on doing three posts a day, and I don't intend to do it all month, but I need to push out a few more posts to make all the numbers work.  Gotta be something in here you like, bonus tracks or no.

1. Winifred Smith-'Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime from Ethnic Folk Songs From The South (The Tennessee Squire Association 630D-2211, Mono, 1962).  Not sure who Winifred Smith is, or who the Tennessee Squire Association is, but they put out a few albums of music you see occasionally.

2. Tenafly High School Concert Choir-E. Brock Griffith, Director-Two Kings from Festival Of Christmas And Spring Music 1965-1966 (HMR Productions RC 93, Mono, 1966). The original recording on this one was a bit off, so there wasn't much I could do with it. It's off in spots.

3. Unknown Artist-White Christmas from Organ Melodies From Hobby-Lesson Course For Wurlitzer Organs (Rite Record Productions For The Wurlitzer Company 12183/12184, Mono).  For once, and unknown artist that isn't just playing a short demo version.  Well, wait, that's exactly what this is, but the demo is for someone who has a new Wurlitzer organ in their home.  You too could play like this with only a few simple easy lessons!

4. Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers-Wilbur H. Schowalter, Director-Alleluia! Now Is The Christmas Morn from 1972-1973 Redlands High School Concert Choir And Chamber Singers (Custom Fidelity CFS-3256, Stereo, 1973).  I had two LPs from this school, and one of them was still sealed.  Not sure now if it was this one or the other. All those years and no one had ever listened to it.

5. Marian Spelman-Ave Maria from Marian Spelman Sings About God And Country (Crosley Enterprises CE-12 "A Custom Recording By Pickwick International, Inc. For Crosley Enterprises", Stereo).  A later LP from one of the stars of Ruth Lyons coven.  I mean TV show.

6. Eddie Peabody-The Bells Of St. Mary's from Banjo Magic (Dot DLP 25376, Stereo, 1961).  Have we had any music from the banjo this season?  Well, here it is.

7. Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Directed By David Lepine, Robert Weddle-Organ-Coventry Carol from Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Choirs Of Britian Series No. 2 (Chapter One (UK) CMS 1006, Stereo, 1971).  Naturally the boys from Coventry would do The Coventry Carol.

8. Tervalon Porche, Tenor, With Joseph La Rue, Organist-Gesu Bambino (When Blossoms Flow'rd Amid The Snow) from God, My Shepherd, Walks Beside Me-Great Religious Musical Masterpieces (Amor Label 8188, Stereo). I'm finding so many typos in the metadata I've entered for all these tracks.  My sincerest apologies for all those misspellings. I try to do a good job with these things, but sometimes my fingers are just in too much of a hurry for their own good.

9. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-Hallelujah Chorus from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  The second demo track in today's share.

10. First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir-James A Kruse, Director-He Is Born from First United Methodist Church Concert Handbell Choir (Mark MC-5019, Stereo, 1972).  Handbells?  That makes the share today so much more exciting!  First banjos and now this!

And that about sums it up for this share.  Hope you enjoy the music.  Here's a link, see you later on tonight.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 23

Welcome to day 11, the first post for the day, and the 23rd overall in the month.  We're really cookin' around here.  Got some more goodies for you today, let's see what's in the pile.

1. Regina Music Box-Ave Maria from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  We start with a music box version of Ave Maria, something nice and sweet to ease us into the day.

2. Don Lee-Bells Of St. Mary's from Crazy Rhythm (Jubilee JGM 1067, Mono, 1958).  This doesn't seem so crazy to me, but then I'm sharing Christmas music in the middle of summer.  What do I know from crazy?

3. Jerry Fielding And His Orchestra-Button Up Your Overcoat from Play A Dance Concert (Kapp KL-1026 "The Kapp Jazz Gallery", Mono, 1956).  Jerry Fielding isn't very well known, but he put out a great Christmas album that's really hard to find.  Though if you know where to look, you can listen to a copy...

4. Eileen Donaghy With Chorus And Orchestra Directed By Johnny Gregory-Christmas Time In Ireland from Boys From County Armagh (Fontana (UK) TFL 5150, Mono, 1961).  You gotta love Christmas songs from other countries.

5. George Wright-Cool Tango from George Wright Plays The Conn Electronic Organ (HiFiRecord R-712, Mono, 1957).  This will help bring the temperature down a few clicks.

6. Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra-Sir Adrian Boult, Conductor-Fantasia On Greensleeves from Vaughan Williams (Vanguard VRS-1093, Mono).  Remember, while you're listening, just sing the words to What Child Is This.

7. Ursuline Academy Glee Club-Director, Sister Pius Dowd, OSU-Piano, Mrs. Bailey Guard-Go Tell It On The Mountain from Spring Into Song (Recorded Publications Company JZ-88621/88622 (Bethesda, Maryland), Mono). Another of those songs that seems to spring from nowhere and become suddenly popular in the mid-sixties.

8. George Feyer, Piano And Harpsichord, With Rhythm Accompaniment-Hansel And Gretel: Brother Come And Dance With Me from Echoes Of Childhood-For Children Six To Sixty-Six (Vox 10" 33 RPM VX 710, Mono, 1954).  Not sure if this is really Christmas, but I've seen it on a few orchestral Christmas albums.  The LP listed another selection from this piece, but the label omitted it, and I couldn't hear anything where it was supposed to be on the vinyl.  These things happen.

9. Eddie Wayne And Group-Ice And Snow from The Ping Pong Sound Of Guitars In Percussion (Coronet (Premier) CX-139, Mono, 1961).  Another track to cool you off.  By the time we reach the end of this playlist, you'll be frozen solid.

10. Unknown Artist-A Babe Is Born from Choral Celebration Vol. V (Jenson Publications JP-4000, Stereo, 1983).  Another short demo for you.

Ta-da, that's the end for now.  More to come later.  Follow the link to find the download.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 22

What's that?  You want more?  More Christmas music?  Really?  OK, here's ten more tracks.  Don't say I never gave you anything.

1. Victor Young And His Singing Strings-Wintertime Of Love (From Republic Picture "Thunderbirds") from Cinema Rhapsodies (Decca DL 8051, Mono, 1953).  I think this is the second version of this song I've shared with you this year.

2. Advanced Girls' Glee-La Palma Choral Music Department-Edwin Grace, Director-Ave Maria from La Palma Choral Music Department (Handel Record Mfg. Co. H-2053, Stereo, 1968).  Not the only Ave Maria on this LP.  Stay tuned...

3. Neville Marriner-Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (From Cantata No. 147) from A Little Night Music (Angel S-37443, Stereo, 1977).  Yet another example of how many albums feature more than one song related to Christmas.  What is this, the second or third track from this LP?

4. The Wilburn Brothers-Lilacs In Winter from Little Johnny From Down The Street (Decca DL 75173, Stereo, 1970).  OK, so this LP only had the one track...

5. Unknown Artist-Lying In A Manger from Best Of '78 Choral Music (Jenson Publications JP3-003, Stereo, 1977).  Some of these demo albums had 20 Christmas-adjacent tracks spread over two LPs!

6. The University Chorus-The University Of North Dakota-James Fudge, Conductor-Einar Einarson, Trumpet Soloist-Marlys Murphy, Pianist-Magnificat from In Concert (Century 26516, Stereo).  Is this a Christmas song?  Or just another part of the Latin mass?

7. The Parris Mitchell Voices-Moonlight In Vermont from Magic Moments In Love (Pickwick SPC-5004, Stereo).  Budget label voices.

8. Ferrante & Teicher-Mother Goose Suite (Ma Mère l'Oye): Les Entretiens De La Belle At De La Bête from The Artistry Of Ferrante & Teicher (ABC-Paramount ABCS-454, Technically Augmented Stereo). Yet another part of this long suite.

9. Brendan O'Dowda With The Westminster Sinfonia, Conducted By Merrick Farran-O Holy Night from Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory (Musicor MS3081, Stereo, 1965). I've said it before and I'll say it again. Christmas songs sometimes turn up in the strangest places.

10. Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra-Our Winter Love from A Song For All Seasons (Decca DL 74609, Stereo, 1965).  Gotta love Robert Maxwell. I always pick up his albums to see if there's anything on them I can use.  Wasn't impressed with his actual Christmas album though.  Shame.

And that's ten. Getting better every day around here.  Right this way for the download link.  See you tomorrow morning.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 21

Good day!  And welcome to another bonus edition of Christmas in July.  Gotta pump out some more shares to make sure the folder is empty by the end of the month.  I'm sure you won't mind, as long as I keep sharing great lost Christmas music with you.  Well, I can't vouch for how great it is, but it has it's moments.

1. Ferlin Husky With The Jordanaires And Millie And Marvin Hughes' Orchestra-Out In The Cold Again from Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (Capitol T880, Mono, 1957).  I've only ever heard one other version of this song, and it's a good one.  I was happy to find this version.

2. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-The Sheep Under The Snow (Celtic) from Ballads Of Long Ago (Columbia Masterworks ML 4894, Mono, 1956).  Another good track by this great yet forgotten duo.

3. Robert Noehren At The Organ Of The Trinity Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio-Von Himmel Hoch from Organ Music Of The Lutheran Church (Audiophile AP-55 (Transparent Red Vinyl), Mono). German Christmas music from red vinyl! How can you go wrong with that?

4. Deodato-Ave Maria from Whirlwinds (MCA MCA-410, Stereo, 1974).  Not the sort of thing I expected to find, but there it was.

5. The Wanderin' Five-Go Tell It On The Mountain from Come On In!!! We're Pickin' And Singin' (Somerset SF-18600, Stereo).  Interesting stuff from a budget label. Probably been releaed under 5 or 6 other names.

6. John Barry-The Lion In Winter (From The Motion Picture "The Lion In Winter") from Ready When You Are, J.B. (Columbia CS 1003, Stereo, 1970).  From the guy that brought you all the best James Bond music back in the day.

7. Bedford High School-Little Drummer Boy from Bedford High School, Temperance, Michigan (API ARIS 8022, Stereo). There seems to have been a period in the mid sixties where every choir in the US recorded this song.

8. Schola Moderna Chorale, Early Instruments, Organ, Members Of The New York Brass Quintet, With Oswald Hoffmann-Narrator-The Nativity from Luther Legacy (A Cshola Moderna Recording 2xLP SML-450/451, Stereo).  This was a big fancy double album that looked like it was on a major label, but seems to have been a home brew thing of some sort.

9. Unknown Artist-O Holy Night from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  Demo...

10. Sistine Choir (Coro Cantori Romani Di Musica Sacra-Capella Sistina C Basiliche Maggiori)-Pastores Dicite (Speak, Shepherds) from Selections From The Sound Tracks Of The Motion Pictures Christ Is Born And Christ Is Risen (Counterpoint/Esoteric (Everest) CPST-5600, Stereo, 1972). An interesting collection of songs in Latin from a soundtrack having something to do with The Vatican.

Ten more, just like that.  Here's the download link.  One more set later on today, stand by...

Christmas In July 2019-Part 20

Welcome back! What day is this?  Wednesday.  Good.  Here's ten more tracks for your listening pleasure.

1. Bob Ralston-Greensleeves from Lawrence Welk Presents Bob Ralston At The Thomas Organ (Ranwood R-8175, Stereo, 1977).  Much later in his career than most of the stuff you see out there, this is well after Lawrence Welk and company had ceased putting out interesting music.  It was all the bland stuff from television.  Too bad, his early work was pretty cool with occasional flashes of brilliance.

2. Mrs. Alvin Davis-Hallelujah Chorus from Favorite Hymns From The Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel-Selections Played On The Chapel Organ By Mrs. Alvin Davis (Continental Communications PRP-14711/14712, Stereo). Well, at least it's not kiddies singing.

3. Tennessee Ernie Ford-Jesus Loves The Little Children; I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing from Sunday School Songs For Children Of All Ages (Word SPCN 7-01-891610-0, Stereo, 1983).  You can't go wrong with someone named Ernie.  Any new music from this Ernie is more than welcome around here. The Jesus Loves The Little Children isn't mentioned on the sleeve, but it's on the label and in the grooves.

4. The Young Americans-Conducted By Milton C. Anderson-Klondike (From NBC Television Series "Klondike") from The Young Americans Presented By Johnny Mathis (Mercury SR 61023, Stereo, 1965).  You know it's good if Johnny Mathis put his name on it.  Not very Christmassy though.

5. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Ensemble from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958).  What is this, part four?

6. Hugo Winterhalter-Our Winter Love from A Season For My Beloved (ABC-Paramount ST 90168 (ABC Records, Mfd. By Capitol Records), Stereo, 1963).  You can't go wrong with a name like Winterhalter, the seasonal goodness is right there in his name.

7. Big Bertha Band Organ-Skaters Waltz from Big Bertha Band Organ-Great Music Of A Golden Era! (Audio Fidelity AFSD 6145, Stereo, 1966).  Are there any of these big band organs around anymore?  There used to be a large collection here in Sarasota, but I think it's long gone.

8. Sons Of The Pioneers-Star Of Hope from Sons Of The Pioneers Sing Hymns Of The Cowboy (RCA Victor LSP-2652, Stereo, 1963).  Not really a Christmas song, I'm afraid, but I did have high hopes.  There aren't enough cowboy Christmas songs out there.

9.  The Kazbek Orchestra-Conducted By Efgeni Trawin-Trepak, not the Nutcracker song, from Russian Balalaikas (Capitol DT 10234, Duophonic).  Still not a bad track.

10. Unknown Artist-Winter Wonderland; I'll Be Home For Christmas; Ukranian Bell Carol from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Not too shabby for the demo track of the day.

That's it. I've got nothing more for you at the moment. Here's a link to the download.  See you again later on.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 19

Hello, and welcome to a rare themed post here for Christmas In July.  I usually can't do theme posts because I don't have a lot of tracks recorded early and ready to go, but this year is a little different.  So the theme today is holiday songs.  They may not have anything to do with Christmas, but they at least all have Holiday in the title.  Here we go...

1. Charles Gould And The Satin Strings-Holiday Tango from Reno Holiday (AKA A Holiday In Reno) (Renovada 100, Mono).  Nice, a private press LP from Nevada.  You don't see that every day.  And a nice little song, too.

2. Sally Niven, David Cryer & The Women-My Holiday from Now Is The Time For All Good Men (Columbia OL 6730, Mono, 1967).  Wow, an actual Christmas song!  Nice! I believe this is a soundtrack to some movie, or is it a play?  Don't remember...

3. Nick Venet-Skiiing Holiday from Theme From "Mr. Novak" And Other High School Themes (MGM E4222, Mono, 1963).  Took me a while to find this one at Discogs, it was entered under Various Artists (and I'm only tentatively attributing it to Nick Venet, but he seemed the most likely name listed) and the title was show as Mr. Novak And Other High School Themes.  Sometimes it's tough to know what's going on over there, but it was done the same way for the mono and the stereo version, and then the two weren't linked together. Obscure releases are a wild west town sometimes.

4. The Lansdowne Jazz Group-Tropic Holiday from The Songs Of Percy Faith (Harmony (Columbia) HL 7223, Mono, 1960).  Percy Faith has had his fingers in a lot of pies over the years. I wish this LP had a version of his Brazilian Sleigh Bells on it though.

5. Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Aliberti, Conductor-Bank Holiday from Introduction To Stereo (Westminster WSS-1, Stereo, 1958).  I love these old Stereo demo albums.

6. Chronicle Atlantic Symphony Steel Orchestra Of Guyana, Conducted By Rudy Bishop-Bugler's Holiday from On Tour With Guy America Airways (Triton Record Productions Tr 1263, Stereo, 1981).  Our second selection of the season from this LP.  Don't forget, it features the steel pan drums.

7. Bee Gees-Holiday from Bee Gees' 1st (Atco SD 33-223, Stereo, 1967). Ooh, you're a holiday...

8. Buddy Merrill-Holiday For Guitars from Holiday For Guitars (Accent AC 5016 SLP, Stereo, 1965).  Steel guitars, that is.

9. Lloyd Lindroth And His Quartet-Holiday For Strings from Harpist's Bazaar (Michlind ML 7011, Stereo, 1968).  And in this case, the harp.

10. Ithaca College Band-Walter Beeler, Director-Holiday Parade from Conductor's Score And Complete Performance Record Of 'On Our Way' (Belwin Mills Publishing  Corp/Credt Records BEL111869, Stereo). No idea what this one is supposed to be.

And that's it.  Ten holiday songs! Certainly a lot of instrumental variety today. Here's the link,  see you tomorrow!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 18

I did some math and realized that I'm not sharing out enough stuff with you folks to get through my stash by the end of the month.  I've got so much stuff already recorded and another pile I hope to get to if I have time that I can't fit it all in at the pace I'm going.  So here's a special bonus post to get a little more caught up.  I shouldn't have to do this too often, but I think it all comes down to how much more stuff I get recorded over the next month.  There aren't enough hours in the day sometimes, you know?  Anyhow, here's your bonus tracks.

1. F.X. McDonald, Jr., Soloist-Ave Maria from Peace, My Friends (Angelus Records WR 5057, Stereo).  I did a non-scientific search, and I think Ave Maria may be the song I have recorded the most versions of this year.  They aren't all the same song though, but among the two most common variations, there may be 30 different ones.  So I've got to share them out a lot.

2. Axel Stordahl And Orchestra Featuring Laurindo Almeida, Lute-Greensleeves from Guitars Around The World (Decca DL74337, Stereo, 1962).  I seem to recall that this was one of the very first songs I recorded this year for Christmas In July.  That was a few months back, and the tracks came hard and heavy after that.  If you haven't heard Axel's full Christmas LP, look it up.  It's pretty good stuff.

3. Rod McKuen-Holidays from Desire Has No Special Time (Everest 3208, Stereo, 1968). Poetry as only Rod can.

4. Ted Heath And His Music-I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm from My Very Good Friends The Bandleaders (London PS 174, Stereo, 1960).  I believe I've shared this one with you before, but in mono.  I was a little excited when I found this stereo copy recently.  I'm weird like that.

5. Brighton High School Marching Band-Carl Klopshinske, Director-Let There Be Peace-America The Beautiful from Brighton's Bicentennial Pride (Mountain Valley Recording Studio MVR 101, Stereo, 1976). I wanna say this one is from Michigan, but I didn't put anything in the notes like I usually try to do.  Pretty sure it had an outline of the state on the front cover, that was sort of a giveaway.

6. Hugo Winterhalter-A Marshmallow World from A Season For My Beloved (ABC-Paramount ST 90168 (ABC Records, Mfd. By Capitol Records), Stereo, 1963).  I know I've shared this one to death over the years, but here it is again.  And this one is from a special pressing for the Capitol Record Club!  How about that?

7. The Bowling Green State University Renaissance Ensemble-Oliver Chamberlain, Director-Riu, Riu, Chiu from Musical Portraits In Concert At The Toledo Museum Of Art (Mus-I-Col 101571/2, Stereo, 1973).  It's that Monkees Christmas song again...

8. Unknown Artist-Sing Noel, Noel from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  Today's obligatory demo track.

9. Hollywood Pops Orchestra-Ski Run (From "Spellbound") from Motion In Percussion (Sonic Workshop 0100, Stereo, 1960).  Fancy LP cover on this one, with a little bit of lenticular action under the word "Motion".  I think I have the original recording of this some coming up for you later in the season.

10. Tomita-Snowflakes Are Dancing (Children's Corner, No. 4) from Snowflakes Are Dancing-The Newest Sound Of Debussy (RCA Red Seal ARL1-0488, Stereo, 1974).  I seem to remember sharing this one out some years ago from a quadraphonic record.  This time it's in just plain old two channel stereo.  Hope that's OK.

And there you go, ten bonus tracks.  Here's the download link, enjoy the music.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 17

Good morning, welcome back.  It's nice to have you.  Don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you stopped by.  While you're here, I've got ten more tracks for you to download and sample.  See what you like.

1. The Roger Wagner Chorale And Orchestra Conducted By Roger Wagner-Toyland from Victor Herbert On Stage (Capitol T1707, Mono, 1962).  Should have held out for a stereo copy, but I'm sure I was excited to spot it.

2. Paillard-Bells And Organ-Ave Maria from Music Box Hymnal-Beloved, Sacred And Inspirational Songs (Harmony (Columbia) KH 32551, Stereo, 1973). Getting back into the songs from music boxes.

3. Jonah Jones-The Bells Of St. Mary's from Jazz Bonus (Capitol ST1773, Stereo, 1962).  Just found this one last Saturday, not sure I'd ever seen it before.  Pretty nice.

4. The Saint Andrew Singers-Fum, Fum, Fum from Ring And Sing-A Festival Of Music (Dharma GFL 1077 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  One of my favorite Christmas songs when I was little.  We had it on a budget Christmas album and it seemed to leave a large impression on me.  Not sure why.  It's the sort of song you didn't hear anywhere else, so I must have thought it was special.  I seem to remember it was called On December 5 and 20, but it was the came melody. Note that this is The Saint Andrew Singers.  I think I've shared this in the past as The Saint Andrews Singers, like the sisters, but that was wrong.

5. Bob McGrath With The Jimmy Joyce Singers-I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) from Bob McGrath Sings For All The Boys And Girls (Disneyland 1357, Stereo, 1974).  I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but Bob McGrath actually released some actual Christmas music in Japan before his Sesame Street days.  Never heard it, but if someone were to have a copy that they'd like to share, I'd sure love to.

6. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Pas De Deux from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958).  Another piece to this side-long ballet.

7. Vaughn Monroe doing yet another version of his wintery classic Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, this one from The Best Of Vaughn Monroe (MCA Collectibles MCA-1559, Stereo, 1983).  It's a reissue of his Dot label remake from the early sixties.  He probably recorded this song three or four times, if not more.

8. Unknown Artist-Mary's Lullaby from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Today's demo recording installment.  I honestly think I have enough of these to do one a share for the whole month.  Thanks for not complaining too loudly about them.

9. The Richard Wolfe Children's Chorus-The Match Girl from Hans Christian Andersen (RCA Camden CAS-1117, Stereo, 1970).  Not sure if this song is anywhere as sweet as the depressing story, but here it is.  I'll take what I can get.

10. Ferrante & Teicher-Mother Goose Suite (Ma Mère l'Oye): Laideronnette Impératrice Des Pagodes from The Artistry Of Ferrante & Teicher (ABC-Paramount ABCS-454, Technically Augmented Stereo).  Another installment of this multi-part suite.

And that's ten.  Get it while it's hot!  Here's the download link.  See you soon!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 16

Welcome to another fun evening of random Christmas-adjacent music!  Another ten songs are coming your way right now!

1. The University Chorus-The University Of North Dakota-James Fudge, Conductor-Ave Maria from In Concert (Century 26516, Stereo). I'm thinking this is the first music I've ever shared with you that hails from North Dakota.  I don't keep too close a track of such things, but I'm pretty sure.

2. The Sego Brothers And Naomi-Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem from The Best Of The Sego Brothers And Naomi (Scripture (Synthetic Plastics) S 121, Stereo, 1964).  I'm thinking this is surely a reissue of a much older track, but I've been wrong before.  Anyone know much about Naomi and her brothers? It's a nice song either way.

3. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-Bells Of St. Mary's from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969).  Bells, did someone say bells?  Bells!

4. Unknown Artist-Christmas Rhapsody from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Yes, the demo music returns.

5. Harvi Griffin-Greensleeves from The Voice And Harp Of Harvi Griffin (Rite Record Productions 27039/27040, Stereo, 1970).  Harp, this oughta be good!

6. Edmundo Ros And His Orchestra-Holiday For Strings from Arriba! (Decca Phase 4 (UK) PFS 4092, Stereo, 1966). David Rose by way of Latin America.  This oughta be good, too.

7. Bedford High School-Let There Be Peace On Earth from Bedford High School, Temperance, Michigan (API ARIS 8022, Stereo). I used to try to avoid these high school musical recordings, but I think they have a lot of charm.  Not always, but often.  And once in a while you find a really good one.  This may not be one of those, however.

8. The Spurrlows-My Favorite Things from A Slice Of The Spurrlows (Myrrh (Word) MST-6508-LP, Stereo, 1972).  I'm sure you remember The Spurrlows and their great Christmas album.  I think it might even still be around here on the blog somewhere...

9. Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra-Oriental Holiday from Songs I Wrote (Hamilton HLP 12162, Stereo, 1965).  Yep, that's right, an original from Billy Vaughn.  You're welcome!

10. Jim And Jesse-Snowbird from Freight Train (Capitol ST-770, Stereo, 1971). Been sitting on this album for years, finally got around to recording something from it this year.  Not sure if it was worth the wait.

And that's another day in the can.  Here's the download link, hope you found something you like today.  See you again tomorrow.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 15

What day is this?  I'm not even sure anymore.  The four day weekend flew by so fast I got whiplash.  Back to work is killing me.  At least I can take some solace in a handful of lost Christmas music.  Have a go at these tracks while I go get my morning reports done.

1. Carmen Cavallaro-The Poet Of The Piano-At The Town In The Snow from Cherry Blossom Time-Popular Melodies Of Japan (Decca DL 4545, Mono, 1964).  I don't hear any Asian influence in the piece, as the title of the album would imply.  But it doesn't exactly sound like Christmas either, so I don't have much room to complain.

2. Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Glee Club-Stuart Churchill, Soloist-Ave Maria, the first of two versions from Songs Of Devotion (Decca DL 8670, Mono, 1958).  There's so much Fred Waring Christmas music out there, I'm sure the world doesn't need any more, but I'm giving you more anyway.

3. Richard Gray-The Blessed Virgin Compared To The Air We Breathe from Poems Of Gerard Manley Hopkins As Read By Richard Gray (Spirit 1001 "The Catholic Poetry Society", Mono).  The first bit of poetry I have to share with you this year, and it's not very good, I'm afraid.  Better stuff is coming, I promise.

4. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Christmas from Ten Catholic Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-110, Mono, 1957).  I told you I had all of these Holy Days records.  Plenty more to come. And if you're curious, or I forget to mention it later, even though some of the religions documented on these discs share certain holidays, the recordings are different on all of them. And yes, they all still sound like he's making it up as he goes along.

5. Skitch Henderson, His Piano And Orchestra-Greensleeves from The Piano Style Of Skitch Henderson (Vocalion VL 3750, Mono).  I do love some Skitch.

6. Children From New York Public School 24 With Guitar Accompaniment-I Believe In Santa Claus from Songs For All Year Long (Folkways/Scholastic SC7626, Mono, 1965).  Pretty good one here, maybe the best of the lot.

7. The Columbus Boychoir-Herbert Huffman, Founder And Director-Donald Bryant, Associate Director-Soloist, John Stewart-I Wonder As I Wander from Festival Of Song (Decca DL 8106, Mono, 1955). A favorite folk song that turns up in a lot of odd places.

8. Paul Mickelson Symphony Orchestra-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (From Cantata No. 147) from Great Moments In Religious Music (RCA Victor LPM-1754, Mono, 1958).  I think this is the second share from the LP, and probably the more Christmas-related of the two.

9. Red Prysock-Moonlight In Vermont from Swing Softly Red (Mercury MG 20512, Mono, 1961). Nice little version here.

10. The Somerset Strings-Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year from Dinner Music (Epic (CBS) LN 3149, Mono).  I nice little bonus track that will fit nicely onto the end of their full Christmas album which I believe I've shared with you before.

And that's it.  I forgot to put any demo tracks in here today, so sorry if you were looking forward to one more of those.  There are plenty of them to come, though, so just wait for it.  Here's the download link, I'll see you later today right here.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 14

Good evening, welcome back!  Hope you're enjoying things so far.  Here's another ten tracks for your Christmas enjoyment.

1. Chet Baker And The Carmel Strings-Arranged & Conducted By Harry Betts-I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm from Into My Life (World Pacific (Liberty) WPS-21858, Stereo, 1966).  I've got a small handful of Chet Baker tracks to share with you this season, from all over the place.

2. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Entree from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958). I think I screwed up by giving you a track from this one that comes after this first song.  Sorry about that.  I try to keep things in order.

3. Ferrante & Teicher-Mother Goose Suite (Ma Mère l'Oye): Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant from The Artistry Of Ferrante & Teicher (ABC-Paramount ABCS-454, Technically Augmented Stereo). Another track from this non-Christmas suite.

4. Wayne Johnson With The Evangel Quartet-Ring The Bells from Spiritual Classics (Music City MC WJ 114, Stereo).  I don't remember much about this one, I'm afraid.

5. Terry Gris-Snowflakes, Raindrops & Hailstones from Fiddle-Ee-Ee (Tom Thumb Records/Rhythms Productions T-304, Stereo, 1982).  Music for the kiddie set. Kinda cool though.

6. Neville Marriner-Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields-Toy Symphony: II. Menuetto (Allegretto) from A Little Night Music (Angel S-37443, Stereo, 1977).  More symphonic suite music.

7. Unknown Artist-Troika! (From Lt. Kije Suite) from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  Another demo song for school marching bands.

8. The Lutheran Church Of The Good Shepherd-Midge Payne, Director-Wasn't That A Mighty Day from Shepherd Choir 1978 (Audio Engineering Associates AEA-1221, Stereo, 1978). So many songs to share this year.  I can't keep them all straight.  I ripped some of them more than a month ago and I have little to no recollection of them I'm afraid.

9. Hap Palmer-What A World We'd Have If Christmas Lasted All Year Long-Vocal from Holiday Songs And Rhythms (Activity Records AR-538, Stereo, 1980).  Another one for the kiddies.

10. Ted Alan Worth-Winternacht (Sleigh-Ride) from Ted Alan Worth In Concert On The Rodgers Touring Organ (OrganArts MG-7/202, 815/816, Stereo, 1969).  Reading the liner notes on this one, Ted Alan was supposed to the the next Virgil Fox.  I don't think that worked out.

And that's the end for today.  Come back tomorrow, the well is still deep. Here's the download link.  Thanks for listening!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 13

Lucky number 13!  Here we go!

1. Polyphon Music Box-Silent Night from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  I keep grabbing stuff from the same music box LP.  I'm sure I have others...

2. The Norman Luboff Choir-Still, Still, Still from Songs Of The World (Columbia 2xLP C2L 13, Mono, 1958).  Our second Luboff of the year.

3. Chronicle Atlantic Symphony Steel Orchestra Of Guyana-Conducted By Des Frazer, Soloist Joel (Wonder Boy) Waddy-Ave Maria from On Tour With Guy America Airways (Triton Record Productions Tr 1263, Stereo, 1981).  Christmas on the steel pans!  Nice.

4. Audience Sing-Gary Tucker, Conductor-Accompanists: Jane Lewis And Gary Tucker-Deck The Halls from Elmira Public Schools-Southside High School (Century 2xLP 34735, Stereo).  Yes, they recorded the audience singing along.  Don't think I've seen that before.

5. Bobby Christian And His Orchestra-Doll Dance from Mr. Percussion (Mercury SR60015, Stereo, 1958). I love these percussion albums. Happy that I could find something to share on there.

6. The Ringers On-The-Green-Fum, Fum, Fum from Ring And Sing-A Festival Of Music (Dharma GFL 1077 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  Yep, handbells!

7. Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Directed By David Lepine, Robert Weddle-Organ-Gloria In Excelsis (From "Missa Brevis") from Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Choirs Of Britian Series No. 2 (Chapter One CMS 1006, Stereo, 1971).  I don't think this is the well known Gloria...

8. Leonard Pennario, Pianist-Golliwog's Cake-Walk (No. 6 From Children's Corner Suite) from Humoresque (RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2731, Stereo, 1964).  More music written for children that I'm passing off as Christmas.

9. Jimmy Jenson-Winter Wonderland (Valkin' In My Vinter Undervear) from The Swingin' Swede (aka This Is Jimmy Jenson...The Country Swingin' Swede!) (Jay Records LP-1001, Stereo).  Love this guy!  Where has he been all my life?

10. The Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-A Yuletide Showcase from Alfred Concert Band Music (Alfred Publishing No Number, Stereo, 1988).  A rare band demo record that was credited to an actual band.

And that's it. Are we having fun yet?  I hope so.  Here's a link to the download.  See you later.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 12

Twelve times ten, that makes 120 tracks, plus 24 from Thanksgiving In June, that gets me to 144 after this share.  Not too shabby, but there's still so much more to come.  I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am.  It's so nice when most of the music is already recorded, all I have to worry about it what to share next.  Sweet.  So what did I choose for today?  Let's find out.

1. Unknown Artist-Be A Santa from Seeburg Foreground Music/Seeburg Background Music (Seeburg Sales Corporation XTV-27297/87298, Mono, 1963).  Pretty excited when I found this a week or so ago.  Love all the old music from Seeburg.

2. The Strings Of The Philadelphia Orchestra-Eugene Ormandy, Conductor-Fantasia On Greensleeves from Serenade For Strings (Columbia Masterworks ML 5624, Mono, 1958).  Remember, Greensleeves = What Child Is This.  Simple Christmas equation.

3. Homer And Jethro-The Frozen Logger from Barefoot Ballads (RCA Victor LPM-1412, Mono, 1957).  A Homer And Jethro LP that I hadn't seen until recently.  The cover was rough looking, but the vinyl played pretty well after I gave it a good bath. 60+ years of dirt has a way of getting deep into the grooves. A Pretty straight version, especially for Homer And Jethro.

4. George Feyer, Piano And Harpsichord, With Rhythm Accompaniment-Hansel And Gretel: Children's Prayer from Echoes Of Childhood-For Children Six To Sixty-Six (Vox 10" 33 RPM VX 710, Mono, 1954).  Another short selection from this ten inch LP.  And still more to come.  Short but sweet.

5. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Pasterze Mili-Shepherds Dear from Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  Homemade music.

6. The Modern Folk Quartet-Riu Chiu from Changes (Warner Bros W 1546, Mono, 1964).  Isn't this Christmas song that The Monkees did?  Pretty sure.

7. All Star Cast With Orchestra And Chorus-White Christmas from An Hour With Irving Berlin (Royale 1343, Mono). Cast members mentioned are Morton Downey, Jack Smith, Georgia Gibbs, Thelma Carpenter & Danny O'Neil, but it's a budget label, so who knows...

8. Carmen Dragon Conducting The Capitol Symphony Orchestra-Ave Maria from Bless This House (Capitol SP8527, Stereo).  The first of a couple versions on this LP.

9. Johnny Bush-Cold, Cold Hands from Undo The Right (Stop Records LP 10005, Stereo, 1968).  It'll do.

10. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-Do You Hear What I Hear? from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  Today's demo record, short but sweet.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Here's the download link.  Time to go watch TV for a couple minutes.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 11

Hello again, welcome back!  I've got plenty more Christmas music in the pile to share with you, so here are ten more select tracks for a hot day in July.

1. Vera Lynn, Accompanied By The Rae Jenkins Quartet-The Bells Of St. Mary's from The Great Years-Orginal Recordings 1935-57 (Decca (UK) 2xLP SPA 3023/4, Originally Recorded 6 April 1938, Mono, 1975). Never as big of a deal in the US as she was in the UK, Vera Lynn was still a great talent.  More from her later in the season.

2. Walter Gieseking-Children's Corner Suite No. 3: Serenade For The Doll from Children's Corner-Suite Bergamasque (Angel 35067, Mono).  Not really Christmas, but I can't resist any sort of toy or child suite. I didn't do the whole suite though, just the toy and winter themed bits.  The rest of them will come later on.

3. Jack Teagarden With The Condon Gang-Christmas At Carnegie from Big "T" & The Condon Gang (Pumpkin Productions 106, Originally Recorded New York City, December 16, 1944, Mono, 1978).  Similar to the Hal Kemp track earlier this July, this is a collection of songs from radio transcriptions.  There's good stuff on some of these discs, you always have to pick them up and check when you find one.

4. German Kaliope-Come Hither Ye Children (Ihr Kinderlein Kommet) (Played Without Bells, Then With The Bells) from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  I love these music box collections, can you tell?

5. Alfred Deller With Desmond Dupre-Coventry Carol from The Three Ravens (Vanguard VRS-479, Mono, 1955).  So many things out there that have just been nearly lost to time.

6. The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys-Footprints In The Snow from Hootenanny N' Blue Grass (Time 52083, Mono, 1963).  Weird album trying to connect folk and bluegrass music.

7. The Choir Of Christ Episcopal Church-The Holly And The Ivy from 75 Men And Boys (No Label 2xLP BL 1500 (Side 4-Christmas Carol Service) (Bloomfield, Glen Ridge), Mono).  Nice double disc with a whole side of Christmas tunes.  Unfortunately, two of the tracks were badly damaged by a needle dig at some point in their life.  I'll still throw them up at some point, but their hard to listen to.  No such problem with this track, so enjoy.

8. Guitar Magic-Jingle Bells from Guitar Magic-Play Along Record (Educational Productions SON 94811/94812, Mono, 1971).  Funny story, I thought I was going to share this with you last year, but when I pulled the LP from the sleeve, it was volume two, not volume 1.  But I found a Christmas track anyway and shared it.  Now I have an actual volume one to share with you, so it's come full circle.

9. The Rift Valley Academy Chorale-Solo: Becky Kellogg-Don Fonseca, Conductor-Silent Night from We've Only Just Begun (Philips (Kenya) PKLP 104, Mono, 1972).  I was so excited when I found this one, an actual record all the way from Africa, and there was a Christmas song on it!  I hope it was worth all that excitement.

10. Unknown Artist-Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light, one more demo recording from Choral Celebration Vol. VIII (Jensen Publications JP-6400, Stereo, 1985).  Just when you start to get into these tracks, they fade out and end.  So sad.

And that's the end for now.  Here's the download, more to come soon. I've given up and plugged in an old corded mouse.  It's working much better and I'm less frustrated. Hooray!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 10

Hello! And welcome to Christmas In July Part 10!  As has been my way for the past few years, the tenth day (or part in this case) is dedicated to music ripped from 10" albums.  They're a format that was somewhat popular in the early days of the LP, but eventually faded away as the fifties progressed.  However, I'm got one from much later on that's kinda rare to share from tonight, so that's cool.  Let's get into it.

1. Unknown Artist-Mickey's Christmas Carol-Excerpts from Hal Leonard Presents Expressive Arts 1984-85 (Hal Leonard Publishing 10" Flexidisc 840822, Stereo, 1984). This is a flexidisc, something you don't see very often, and a 10" one at that.  So it's pretty rare.  And it's a demo track of a Disney Christmas musical you could perform at your school. How cool is that? I found this record tucked inside one of the usual larger demo records of similar music.  Reading the fine print on some of these records, it appears to be a common thing for them to distribute additional samples this way, maybe things that were newer and couldn't make it onto the full-length album.

2. Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestra-Satan Takes A Holiday from Dates With Ralph Flanagan At Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook And The Hollywood Palladium (RCA Victor 10" 33 RPM LPM 3171, Mono, 1953).  From a fake live LP, it's a fake Christmas song about the Devil.  Got it?

3. Frankie Carle And His Orchestra-Carle Meets Tchaikovsky from Frankie Carle Meets The Masters (Columbia 10" 33 RPM CL 6085, Mono, 1949).  I thought this was going to be something out of The Nutcracker, but it turns out to be from a piece Tchaikovsky did celebrating the different months of the year.  And the month he chose was June, so not really anything to do with Christmas.  But I had it ripped before I found all that out, so you get the share anyway.

4. Risë Stevens, Mezzo-Soprano, RCA Victor Orchestra And Chorus, Frank Black-Conductor-Toyland from Victor Herbert Favorites (RCA Victor Red Seal 10" 33 RPM LM 79, Mono, 1950).  You can't have a Victor Herbert album without this track.  I think there's a law on the books stating that.

5. Pleasure Ridge Park High School Choir-Solo By Barbara Fielder-Directed By Ernestine Hicks-Bonnie Poole, Pianist-Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire from Pleasure Ridge Park High School Choir-1962 (AVCA 10" 33 RPM RP-109, Mono, 1962).  Yes, a school choir on a ten inch record.  Will wonders never cease.

6. Les Compagnons De La Chanson-Ave Maria from Les Compagnons De La Chanson (Columbia 10" 33 RPM CL 6208, Mono, 1952).  Supposedly, this Ave Maria was written just for these guys.

7. George Feyer, Piano And Harpsichord, With Rhythm Accompaniment-Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers from Echoes Of Childhood-For Children Six To Sixty-Six (Vox 10" 33 RPM VX 710, Mono, 1954).  A short excerpt from the side-long medley that Feyer is know for.  I had this one on 10" and 12", both of which I found within a week of each other after never seeing a copy of the title before.  Weird things seem to happen like that when you're hunting vinyl in the wild.

8. Kenny Baker-Christmas Morn-Hymn 23 from Hymns-Mary Baker Eddy-Sung By Kenny Baker (Shelley Products 10" 33 RPM TV 15580/15581, Mono).  Not sure of the year on this issue, but the original recording on shellac came out in 1938.

9. The Shawnee Choir-Earl Willhoite, Director-Richard Lindroth, Organist-Three Christmas Scenes from Sing And Rejoice (Shawnee Press 10" 33 RPM TV 25117/25118, Mono).  This appears to be another demo recording, but geared more towards church choirs and such, not school bands.

10. Dolf Van Der Linden Und Sein Metropol-Orchester-Holiday In Hollywood, my favorite of the day, from Streicher-Serenade (Philips 10" 33 RPM (Holland) P 10013 R, Mono).  I love those crazy strings!

And that's it for the day, another ten songs down.  And if you like your music from 10" records, don't hesitate to visit my buddy Buster's blog, he's got all sorts of records in that size.  No Christmas in July from him yet, but maybe if we all ask nicely, he'll dig something up. (At least one of my shares above is a track from a record he's shared out in it's entirety.)  Here's the download for the day, see you soon.

And if my mouse doesn't start working, I'm throwing it out the window.  Every click become a double click. Drag and drop is a joke.  It takes three tries to highlight some text.  Everything I do is just taking too long.  I've replaced drivers, installed software, I'm running out of ideas.  Maybe it's time for a new one.  :(

Christmas In July 2019-Part 9

Well, you made it through Independence Day, but hopefully you have today off work as well.  You'll need it to get caught up on your sleep.  Here are a few more Christmas songs to make it a happier holiday!

1. Children From New York Public School 24 With Guitar Accompaniment-Old Man Winter's On His Way from Songs For All Year Long (Folkways/Scholastic SC7626, Mono, 1965).  Cute little song with a bunch of cute little kids singing.

2. The Highwaymen-The Highwaymen from Standing Room Only! (United Artists UAL 3168, Mono, 1961).  Good and folky.

3. Art And Paul-My Favorite Things from Hangin' Drinkin' And Stuff (Columbia CS 8502, Stereo, 1960). An interesting version from a rather curious album from a major label.

4. Tervalon Porche, Tenor, With Joseph La Rue, Organist-Panis Angelicus (Messe Solonnelle) from God, My Shepherd, Walks Beside Me-Great Religious Musical Masterpieces (Amor Label 8188, Stereo).  OK, so it's not Christmas.

5. Neville Marriner-Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields-Toy Symphony: I. Allegro from A Little Night Music (Angel S-37443, Stereo, 1977).  From the same people who brought you all the music in that Amadeus movie.

6. Harrell C. Lucky-Toyland from Quiet Time (Melody House MH-43, Stereo). One of my favorite finds this year, but only because of the entirely non-Christmas related intro.

7. Zacharias And His Magic Violins-The Troika from Songs Of Old Russia (Polydor (Germany) 237526 SLPHM, Stereo, 1959).  So this isn't the song I thought it was...

8. Andre Kostelanetz-Waltz Of The Flowers From "The Nutcracker" from Kostelanetz Conducts Romantic Waltzes By Tchaikovsky (Columbia Masterworks MS 6824, Stereo, 1965).  Not sure why Andre isn't credited with an orchestra on this one.  They're clearly there, unless he's making all those noises by himself and there's a lot of overdubbing.

9. Unknown Artist-What Kind Of King? from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  More demo music.  And isn't 1990 a little late for this blog?  I need to speak to management!

10. Jane Wilson & Stuart Foster With The Hollywood Cinema Orchestra, Conducted By Maximillian-White Christmas from 26 Academy Award Winning Songs (Dolphin 2xLP D-100, Stereo, 1960).  Now that's a Christmas song, I just know it.

I also know that this is the end for now.  More music later on today.  For now, here's the download link.  Enjoy the tunes!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 8

It's late, it's hot, it's July 4th.  So to combat all those things, I've concentrated on Winter songs tonight, with plenty of snow and ice to cool you off after a trip outside to watch the fireworks. That's the nice thing about some Christmas in July, it can really do a nice job of combating the summer heat.

1. Dick And Kiz Harp Featuring Reinie Press-Winter Warm from Again!-Dick And Kiz Harp At The 90th Floor (90th Floor Records SLL-902, Mono, 1960). Interesting jazz album from Dallas, Texas.  This was actually their second album in 1960, released after Mrs. Harp had passed away unexpectedly.  Looks like both of their albums have been released on CD now so that you can enjoy the music without having to track down the super-rare albums.  But I stumbled across one.

2. Composed And Conducted By David Amram-Mountain Snow from The Arrangement (Warner Bros-Seven Arts WS 1824, Stereo, 1969).  Soundtrack to a film I've never seen or heard of.  Just about every time I spot a soundtrack album that I'm not familiar with, I have to pick it up and scan for possible Christmas music.  I'm not obsessed, am I?

3. Bobby Bond-Snow Balls In July from Bobby Bond Sings The Roger Miller Songbook (Somerset SF-24400, Stereo).  Is this an actual Roger Miller song, or is it a ringer thrown in with a title that is designed to fool you?  I'm not sure... Footprints In The Snow, I think that's the actual name of this track.

4. Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians-Snow Bird from Fred Waring's Nashville (Buckboard BBS-1013, Stereo, 1971).  This has got to be awful late in Fred's career.  I'm wondering how much actual involvement he had in this.

5. Gayle Moran-Snowflake from I Loved You Then...I Love You Now (Warner Bros BSK 3339, Stereo, 1979).  Any chance this is Erin Moran's sister?  One can hope.

6. The Harmonaires-The Song Of The Snow from The New Sound Of The Harmonaires (Century/Monarch II 31444, Stereo). This is pretty nice.

7. Unknown Artist-Summer Me, Winter Me from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  Senior edition demo tunes.  Only for the most advanced students.

8. Sweet Adelines-Pride Of Pinellas-Directed By Phyllis Dean-Theme From Ice Castles from And The Winner Is... (No Label AR-5010, Stereo).  A ladies barbershop chorus from the next county north of me, so pretty local.

9. The San Sebastian Strings-Narrator: Gene Merlino-Arranged & Conducted By Anita Kerr-When Winter Comes from The Sky (Warner Bros-Seven Arts WS 1720, Stereo, 1968).  Not sure why they stuck a winter song on a concept LP about the sky, but here it is.  In case you don't recognize it, this is from the mind of Rod McKuen.

10. Bill Medley-Conducted By Michael Patterson-Winter Won't Come This Year from Soft And Soulful (MGM SE-4603, Stereo, 1969).  You can't beat a Righteous Brother!

Feeling any cooler yet?  I hope so.  Here's the download link, come back tomorrow for more goodies.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 7

Good morning!  Happy Fourth Of July to all my American friends, and happy Thursday to all the rest of you!  Nothing to special for today, just another great batch of Christmas music, and isn't that enough really? Here ya go!

1. The Norman Luboff Choir-Let There Be Peace On Earth (And Let It Begin With Me) from This Is Norman Luboff (RCA Victor LPM-2342, Mono, 1961).  I'm still hunting for a stereo version of this one.  I'm sure I've come across it before, I just wasn't paying attention at the time.

2. Redlands High School Concert Choir-Director, Wilbur H. Schowalter-Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming from Redlands High School Concert Choir 1964-65 (Handel Record Mfg. H-2008 (on Sleeve) H-2009 (on Label) Blue Vinyl, Mono, 1965).  Found two albums of music from this group this year, and they're both pretty good.  Lots of good music to come from them!

3. The George Shearing Quintet-Vocal By Teddi King-Moonlight In Vermont from When Lights Are Low (MGM E3264, Mono, 1955).  Lots of good versions of this song this year. Yet I don't think I've recorded a single version of Snowfall.  Weird...

4. Regina Music Box-O Tannenbaum from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  Another music box from this collection.

5. Charles R. Cronham-Organ And Chimes-Oh, Come All Ye Faithful from Ring Out Christmas Bells/Hymns Of Faith, Hope And Joy (Mercury MG-20001, Mono, 1950).  More organ and more chimes for you.

6. Brendan O'Dowda With The Westminster Sinfonia, Conducted By Merrick Farran-Ave Maria from Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory (Musicor MS3081, Stereo, 1965). An odd spot for this one to turn up in, but I'll take what I can get.

7. Unknown Artist-The First Noel from Superior New Works For Concert Band-Vol. XVII Advanced Edition (Jenson Publications 2xLP JP-6500, Stereo, 1985).  One more demo recording for concert band.  Lots and lots of these to share.

8. Fuyu Geshiki (Japanese Snowflakes) by 101 Strings, Conducted By Richard Müller-Lampertz, Koto Solos By Shinichi Yuize from Songs Of The Seasons In Japan (Alshire S-5019, Stereo, 1964).  I assume they have the same seasons in Japan as we have here...

9. Mason Williams & Mannheim Steamroller-Greensleeves from Classical Gas (American Gramaphone AG 800, Stereo, 1987).  Yes, it's the infamous Mannheim Steamroller, but I couldn't resist.

10. Jerry Read Smith & Tom Fellenbaum-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (aka Jesu, Our Joy Of Man's Desiring) from The Strayaway Child (Song Of The Wood Music 7811, Stereo, 1981). If memory serves, the lead instrument here is the dulcimer, so that's a little out of the ordinary.

And that's it. Come back later for some more, if you aren't out blowing yourself up with fireworks.  Here's the download link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 6

Only the third day of July and I'm already having a hard time keeping up.  But I have the next four days off from work, so I'm hoping to be able to get ahead a little bit.  We'll see how I do, or if I get lazy and just stay even.  Wish me luck.  Here are tonight's shares...

1. The Hi-Lo's With Frank Comstock And His Orchestra-April Snow from Hi-Lo's On Hand (Starlite ST 7008, Mono, 1956).  That's some nice harmony right there!

2. Herbie Koch, Official Carillonneur, State Of Georgia-Ave Maria from Sacred Bells Of Stone Mountain (No Label 7775-6946, Mono, 1970).  I visited this carillon once.  It appeared to need some maintenance work.  Hopefully they've done some things to keep it up and running since I was there, otherwise, I fear for it's future.

3. Roger Williams With Orchestras Directed By Martin Gold And Hal Kanner-The Bells Of St. Mary's from Songs Of The Fabulous Forties (Kapp 2xLP KXL-5003, Mono, 1957).  The records in this series are thrift store staples, but I don't remember noticing this track before.

4. Hal Kemp And His Orchestra-Christmas Night In Harlem from Hal Kemp And His Orchestra 1934 (Circle CLP-25, originally recorded 1934, Mono, 1982).  Probably taken from a radio transcription disc, but I'm glad that it was rescued from obscurity.

5. The Manhattan Piano Quartet-Lawrence Krueger, William Blankfort, Alexander Dickstein, Marga Richter-Dream Pantomime From "Hansel And Gretel" from Concert Favorites Transcribed For Four Pianos (MGM E3130, Mono, 1954).  Probably not Christmas related at all, but I've seen it on more than one classical-skewing Christmas album.  That's all the excuse I need!

6. The Lighthouse Keeper-Greensleeves from Piano Interpretations (Island Musical Products PLM 1003 (Oak Bluffs, Mass. Martha's Vineyard Island), Mono, 1957).  Probably some homebrew album, but I love 'em to be rare and obscure.

7. Earl Grant-The Snows Of Kilimanjaro from Yes Sirree! (Decca DL 4405, Mono, 1963).  Not sure why I bothered with a mono version of this track.  Probably because I wasn't paying attention when I grabbed the LP.  Some days, I get so excited to find a clutch of Christmas tracks that I just start grabbing without thinking.  Such days are rare, but they're nice when they happen.  Bringing home 10-12 albums, each of which features a Christmas track or two is just awesome in my book.  I'm old and dull that way, I suppose.

8. Conducted By Michael Sweeney-Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella from Hal Leonard Concert Band 1989-1990 (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP 85060087, Stereo, 1989).  Today's demo track.  Nothing special about this one, I'm afraid. I thought for a second I should get excited about the arranger being Vincent Lopez, but I was thinking of Victor Lopez...

9. Charles Chilton And The Members Of The Cast-Heilige Nacht from Oh What A Lovely War (London OS 25906, Stereo, 1963).  Turns out, I collected two different recordings from two different soundtracks to this film.  Or maybe one of them was a stage production.  It's been a while since I ripped them.  That's a big drawback to recording so much ahead of time, the details start to blur out.

10. Lou Carter-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Frank De Vol-I Wish That I Could Love You In December from How Deep Is Which Ocean? The Answers (To Musical Questions) (Columbia CL 1503, Mono, 1960).  I finally managed to dig up all three of Lou Carter's albums this year, thgouh I still lack stereo copies of any of them, if memory serves.  Some of this stuff is pretty funny, but I'll admit that it's an acquired taste.

That's all ten for tonight.  Have a go at the download, and let me know what you think.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 5

Hello and welcome to day three, part five!  It's a little confusing, I know, but the downloads are numbered so you'll be able to tell if you've missed one or two.  And hopefully the shares will stay up for a while this time, I had to break down and get a paid account with MEGA, so we'll see how long I can keep that active.  But don't dally, you never know when something might get yanked.  On to the shares!

1. The Combined Choirs Of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, Pa.-Pójdźmy Wszyscy Do Stajenki-Let Us Hasten To The Manger from the LP Midnight Mass At St. Mary's (Dub Recording Company D.D. 1155/1156, Mono, 1965).  Don't think I've shared any Polish Christmas carols with you before, at least not during Christmas in July.  I had lots of international Christmas releases during Christmas proper last year.

2. Kay Lande, Alan Cole And The Carillon Singers-Seasons from About, Volume 1 (Columbia-Children's Record LIbrary CR 21533, Mono).  I've shared this one with you before, but it was on a much smaller label than Columbia.  Not sure who licensed it from who, but you get to hear it again.

3. The Chipmunk Song by Billy Vaughn And His Orchestra from Golden Hits (Dot SLP 25201, Stereo, 1959).  Yep, it's the Chipmunks Christmas song, easy listening style!

4. The Ringers On-The-Green-Deck The Halls from Ring And Sing-A Festival Of Music (Dharma GFL 1077 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  A rerun, but any chance to put some handbells in the share and I'll take it! I've actually got another album from this same church and it's various groups that I'll start sharing from soon enough.

5. Vincent Lopez And His Orchestra-Doll Dance from the album Nola And Other Piano Instrumentals (Carlton STLP 12/302, Stereo, 1959).  Not really Christmas, and a rerun, but I found a nice copy of the LP and figured why not.

6. Harlan Rogers And Smitty Price-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring from Timeless-Hymns In Colour (Colours/Maranatha! Music SPCN 7-100-16182-7, Stereo, 1986).  This is from the same series as that odd version of O Come All Ye Faithful yesterday.  Is the sound funny on this one, too?  At least it sounds like the tune it purports to be!

7. Bob Taylor's One Way Singers-Let There Be Peace On Earth from I Knew Jesus Before He Was A Superstar (Tri-State Recording Company TSRC-734253, Tacoma Church Of God, John Exum Parkway, Johnson City, Tenn., Stereo).  Not sure of the year on this one, but I'd bet money it's from the Seventies.  I mean come on, I knew Jesus before he was a Superstar?

8. Unknown Artist-Let's Go Get Our Christmas Tree from Best Of '78 Choral Music (Jenson Publications JP3-003, Stereo, 1977).  I know it's just a quickie demo, but I like it.  I was humming it for days after I recorded it.

9. Bel Melodia Choir (Grades 1-2)-Catherine Payn, Conductor-The Little Grey Donkey from O, Clap Your Hands (Dharma GFL 1057 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  Cute.

10. Bells Of Grace-Robert L. Neumann, Director-Mrs. Fred Wilson, Organist-O Come, O Come Emmanuel from Bells Of Grace (Lane Recording 25779/25780, Stereo, 1969). MOre handbells?  Wow, you folks sure are hitting the jackpot today!  And I've got to try and spread these treasures out a little better, I've got a lot of shares to get through.

That's it, ten and done. Got things to do and people to see, so without further ado, here's a download link for you.  See you soon!

Christmas In July 2019-Part 4

And here we go with part 2 for day 2.  Lotta music to share here...

1. Gloria Lynne With The Earl May Trio-On Christmas Day from I'm Glad There Is You (Everest LPBR 5126, Mono, 1961).  This is the sort of thing I love to find.  No getting around it, this is a great Christmas track!  Now if I could just find a clean stereo version.

2. Paul Mickelson And Tedd Smith-Panis Angelicus (O Lord Most Holy) from the LP Open The Gates Of The Temple (RCA Victor LPM 1098, Mono, 1955).  I'm a little lost when I get into certain areas, and songs like this are one of those areas.  Is it Christmas? I don't know, but I've seen it on Christmas albums.  I figure I'd better share it with you just to be on the safe side.

3. Jack Kane And His Orchestra-Ski Trail from Raisin' Kane (Signature SM 1002, Mono, 1961).  I suppose I should have tagged this one Skiing instead of Christmas, I've got a few others tagged that way this year.  It's a legit seasonal activity, right?

4. Richard Hayman And His Orchestra-Wintertime Of Love (Republic's "Thunderbirds") from Great Motion Picture Themes Of Victor Young (Mercury MG20369, Mono, 1958). Not my favorite Richard Hayman contribution to Christmas In July, but I'll take it.

5. Nino Rossi-Greensleeves from Il Silenzio (Hansa Club Series (West Germany) 2xLP 86965 XBT, Stereo).  In case you don't know, What Child Is This uses the music from the old English song Greensleeves.  So anytime I find an instrumental version, I count it as a Christmas song. Did I tag this as Nini Rosso in the download?  I bet I did...  :(

6. Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Directed By David Lepine, Robert Weddle-Organ-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring from Coventry Cathedral Boys' Choir-Choirs Of Britian Series No. 2 (Chapter One CMS 1006, Stereo, 1971).  Pretty sure this record was from the UK, but I didn't tag it that way for some reason.  Must have been distracted that night.

7. Gerald Eskelin And The L.A. Jazz Choir-Kris Kringle from Hal Leonard Presents A Choral Spectrum (Youth Edition) (Hal Leonard Publishing HLP-11, Stereo, 1984).  Another demo record that features an actual artist name.  Will miracles never cease?

8. Jean Martinon Conducting The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra-Les Patineurs-Pas Seul from Le Cid-Ballet Music/Les Patineurs (The Skaters)-Ballet (London CS 6058, Stereo, 1958).  The first part of a side-long composition about skating.  I assume it's ice skating, but you never know.  Could be about rollerblading.

9. Ferrante & Teicher-Mother Goose Suite (Ma Mère l'Oye): Petit Poucet from The Artistry Of Ferrante & Teicher (ABC-Paramount ABCS-454, Technically Augmented Stereo).  Another small piece of a much longer composition.  I should have all the parts for you eventually.  I remember this one as being pretty noisy, so I hope it sounds OK.  There's only so much you can do with certain pieces of vinyl, try as you might.

10. Neil Wolfe-My Favorite Things (From The Musical Production "The Sound Of Music") from Piano-My Way-The Unique New Sound Of Neil Wolfe (Columbia Special Products CSP 9039, Stereo, 1965).  The first version of this song this year, and certainly not the last.  Though I did try to limit it's use somewhat since I had better stuff to share.

Ten more tracks, over and done.  Give 'em a listen, lemme know what you think.  Here's the link.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 3

Is it day 2 already?  Seems like just yesterday we were kicking off the month.  Oh, wait...  I'm delirious already.  Let's get this show on the road, shall we?

1. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-A Legend Of St. Nicholas (French) from Ballads Of Long Ago (Columbia Masterworks ML 4894, Mono, 1956).  One of my favorite finds from last year was the Marias And Miranda Christmas album, but when I tried to share it, someone objected.  Hopefully I can slide this single track in here and no one will notice.

2. Earl Grant-Lonely Winter from Yes Sirree! (Decca DL 4405, Mono, 1963).  Not sure what the story behind this song is, but the writers are Henry Mancini and Rod McKuen.  Gotta be a story there.

3. Caterina Valente With Sy Oliver And His Orchestra-Moonlight In Vermont from Plenty Valente! Singin' And Swingin' (Decca DL 8440, Mono, 1957).  Her accent on this one is interesting, but English is not her native language.  I gues she spoke and performed in half a dozen different languages, and had hits in most of the countries where those languages were spoken.  Pretty impressive!

4. Milton Cross-The Nutcracker Suite from Milton Cross Narrates Children's Stories (Halo 50219, Mono).  This is a long version of the whole suite narrated by Milton Cross.  (I shared out a whole LP of his Christmas stories back during the 2018 season that's probably still available if you're interested.)  Last July was the season of The Nutcracker, but I've dialed it back quite a bit this year.  This is the only full version I've recorded so far, but I'll probably record a few more when I need something to share.  Nothing like last year though.  I think I shared ten or more full versions and a million individual songs from all across the musical spectrum. This particular version seems to gloss over or completely omit some of the gorier bits of the story.

5. German Kaliope-Silent Night (Played With Bells, Then Without The Bells) from The Charm Of The Old Music Box-Rare Old Music Boxes From The A. Hacker Collection (Yesterday's Amusements/Premier Film & Recording Corporation 13993, Mono).  Yep, another track recorded from a music box.  This was a thing back in the day.

6. Ernie Berger-Skaters Waltz from A Bouquet Of Songs For Mama-Organ Melodies By Ernie Berger (Audio Lab AL 1533, Mono).  I think I shared out a full Christmas album from this Ernie some years ago, but I don't think it's still up.

7. Charles R. Cronham-Organ And Chimes-White Christmas from Ring Out Christmas Bells/Hymns Of Faith, Hope And Joy (Mercury MG-20001, Mono, 1950).  There seems to be some confusion as to whether his middle initial is R or E.  The cover says R, the label says E.  These are the mysteries that plague Christmas music collectors. And was the release originally two ten inch records?  I couldn't find any trace of such a release, but it sure seems like it might have been.

8. Larry Ferrari At The Gulbransen Organ-Ave Maria from My Favorite Hymns "Especially For You" (Sure Stereo Vol. 704, Stereo).  Everyone loves Larry Ferrari, they just don't know it yet!

9. Jeffrey Lams And John Andrew Schreiner-O Come All Ye Faithful from Prisms-Portraits In Synthesis (Colours/Maranatha! Music SPCN 7-100-15682-3, Stereo, 1986).  I don't hear it, do you?  I thought maybe I was recording the wrong side of the album, or the labels were flip-flopped, but no, it's the right track.  I just don't hear the song.

10. The Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble-Stephen Squires, Conductor-O Little Town Of Bethlehem from Alfred Young Concert Band Music (Alfred Publishing No Number, Stereo, 1988).  Tonight's band demo song was actually credited to an artist.  Most of them aren't, so this is a real rarity.

That's it, ten more track for you.  Interesting stuff.  Here's the link, see you again later.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 2

OK, here's the deal.  I've already got 456 songs recorded to share with you during this month of fun, and unlike past years, it all need to be pushed out before the month ends.  I've got obligations in August, and won't be able to keep the fun going.  So I ripped as much as I could ahead of time, and it's a big pile.  So rather that share out huge blocks of stuff once a day, I'm thinking it will be more manageable to do a couple smaller shares a day to get all this stuff out there to you.  I hope that works for you, and I hope I can keep up with it.  Here's another ten great Christmas tracks for you.

1. The Serendipity Singers-I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing from Serendipity Gold (United International Records UIR 12880, Stereo, 1980).  You remember The Serendipity Singers, they were the ones who told you not to put beans in your ears.  Well, this is much later in their career, they didn't believe in such nonsense anymore.  Here they are singing the Coca-Cola Christmas song that turned out to be Don Draper's idea.

2. Honor Solo-Earl Campbell-O Holy Night from Elmira Public Schools-Southside High School (Century 2xLP 34735, Stereo).  I've got many, many of these private label school recordings this year.  You'll be sick of them by the time we get to the end of the month.  But at some point, someone will leave a comment about how they found a song that they or their parents or grandparents sang on, and that will make all the effort worthwhile.

3. Shirley Temple singing Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers From "The Little Colonel" from The Best Of Shirley Temple (HRB Music 2xLP HRB 2007, Mono, 1978).  I didn't know this song had lyrics.  I brought this record back from New York City with me recently.  I bought it at a Goodwill, then got caught in the rain waiting for a bus back to where I was staying.  I stood underneath the 59th Street Bridge to try and stay dry.  I felt groovy.  It's actually called The Ed Koch Memorial Bridge now, but everyone just calls it The Queensborough Bridge.

4. Edmundo Ros And His Orchestra-The Skater's Waltz from Heading South...Of The Border (London Phase 4 SP 44153, Stereo, 1970).  This is a rerun.  I think about 30-40% of what I'm sharing this year will be reruns of things I've shared previously, but they are all new recordings.  If I spot a Christmas song, I grab it and sort out the details later.  Maybe it's a better copy, maybe it's stereo instead of mono, you just never know.  And I get better with my recording techniques from year to year.  So I like to revisit the oldies.

5. Jane Morgan, Orchestra Directed By Frank Hunter-Toyland (Babes In Toyland) from Great Songs From The Great Shows Of The Century (Kapp 2xLP KX 5006-S, Stereo, 1959).  A rerun, but a good one.  From a series of Great Songs albums put out by Kapp, you'll be seeing other entries from the series here during the month.

6. J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding-Troika from Betwixt & Between (A&M/CTI SP 3016, Stereo, 1969).  This is the sort of thing I look for.  Never heard it before, and it's barely mentioned on the sleeve.  But it's there.  It's short and it's sweet.  Great stuff!

7. Wayne Johnson With The Evangel Quartet-What Child Is This from Spiritual Classics (Music City MC WJ 114, Stereo).  Gospel LPs are also a good spot for Christmassy songs.  You never know what may pop up.

8. Ray Bohr-Wedding Of The Painted Doll from Ray Bohr And The Radio City Music Hall Organ (Design DLP-128 (Cover) DCF-1015 (Label), Stereo, 1960).  Organ music from a budget label.  It doesn't get much better than this.  No, seriously, it's good stuff.

9. Jimmy Jenson-Yingle Bells (Jingle Bells) from This Is Jimmy Jenson...The Country Swingin' Swede! (Jay Records LP-1001, Stereo).  Another great one!  Christmas music in Swedish dialect.  Sort of a Yogi Yorgesson ripoff, but still pretty cool. More from this one throughout the month.

10. Unknown Artist-Young King from Choral Celebration Vol. V (Jenson Publications JP-4000, Stereo, 1983).  More demo music.  You're going to get sick of these, there are a lot of them...

That's it for part 2.  Lots to come still, believe me.  I haven't made a dent yet, and I'm still trying to record a little bit more every day.  I'm going for the record!  Here's the download.

Christmas In July 2019-Part 1

Good Day!  And welcome to the first post of Christmas In July 2019!  It's a continuation of a tradition that started around here back in 2006 and continues to grow each and every year.  If you're new to the whole thing, here are a few details. (The rest of you can skip ahead to the descriptions and download down further.)  Every year in July, I share out songs that I've ripped from my collection of crusty old vinyl.  But not just any songs.  They have to be songs that are somehow associated with Christmas or Winter or even cold weather and ice.  It doesn't take too much for me to throw it in the pile, and you'll see some pretty tenuous connections over the month ahead.  Don't expect perfect sound, or pristine audio, it's all kinda rough and ready though I do my best with what I have.  99% of it is stuff that you aren't going to find at traditional download or streaming sites, so prepare to be amazed.  There's some stuff this year that's really going to knock your socks off, and plenty of stuff that you're going to delete after listening to the first few seconds.  Try to keep an open mind, though.  Anyhow, we'll talk more about everything as the month goes on, so let's just jump in and get our feet wet already.

1. We begin with Up In The Pulpit by The Luther-Annes from the LP Dashing Thru The Church (Fortress Records 12-1143-74/CSM-770, Mono).  I could swear that I'd shared something from this LP before, but I can't find it if I did.  It's not really a Christmas song anyway, but it's sung to the tune of Up On The Housetop, so I'm throwing it in here.  Maybe that's why I didn't share it out before.  This is from a new copy I found recently, as are all the shares here.  Even the rerun songs are from new copies I've discovered. I suppose this song might be funny to the members of this church, but I dunno...

2. Corinne Bucey-Virgin Mary from New Voice In Town (Decca Pink Label Promo DL 4550, Mono, 1964).  Folk albums are a frequent source of songs about the Baby Jesus and his mom.  Whenever I see one, I have to turn it over and check.  When you've been doing this for so many years, you learn some of the little tricks.

3. Large American Regina Music Box-Ave Maria from Music Box Hymnal-Beloved, Sacred And Inspirational Songs (Harmony (Columbia) KH 32551, Stereo, 1973).  Yep, Christmas music as played on a music box.  Frequent visitors won't be surprised by this.

4. Unknown Artist-Bring A Torch from Hal Leonard Presents Choral Spectrum 1990-Senior Edition (Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 2xLP HLP-60, Stereo, 1990).  For years now, I've had a large stack of these demo albums that music publishers send to music school teachers trying to get them to buy their orchestrations and charts.  And for years I've ignored them, but this year I recorded a large handful of them.  Probably more than you'll want to hear, but there's some interesting stuff in there occasionally.  And 1990 is probably the absolute newest LP that I've shared from.  Well, maybe not, but close.  That's about the point that vinyl sales were starting to be outstripped by CD's, and items like this demo LP were probably switching to tape anyway.

5. Philip Jones Brass Ensemble-Christmas Oratorio-Nun Seid Ihr Wohl Gerochen from Brass Splendor (London Jubilee 411 955-1, Stereo, 1985).  I like to share all types of music around here, so don't be surprised by what you might here.  This is pretty tame.

6. St. Andrew Singers (Grades 9-12)-William Payn, Conductor-Do You Hear What I Hear? from O, Clap Your Hands (Dharma GFL 1057 (Morristown, New Jersey), Stereo).  You're going to hear lots of kids singing this month.  Don't be afraid, some of them are actually good!

7. Lynn Roberts, Carmen Baron & Juda Campbell-Feliz Año Nuevo from Holiday Songs For All Occasions (Kimbo Educational KIM 0805, Stereo, 1978).  You're also going to hear lots of people singing for kids.  Some of these are pretty good, too.  You might even hear something you remember from your own childhood that you'd forgotten.

8. Brook Benton-Arranged And Conducted By Malcolm Dodds-Go Tell It On The Mountain from If You Believe (Mercury SR 60619, Stereo, 1961).  I love finding Christmas tracks from fairly well-known artists that I've never seen or heard before.  I think I've shared this one before, but it's still a good example of what you can discover if you dig.

9. Uncle Dave Macon-Hold On To The Sleigh from The Dixie Dewdrop (Vetco Records LP 101 (Originally Recorded New York, NY, 9/9/26), Mono).  I had heard the name Uncle Dave Macon mentioned in an Archie Campbell song about Christmas at the Grand Old Opry, so I was pretty excited to find something from him I could share here.

10. Billy Mure-Latin Holiday from Supersonic Guitars Vol. 2 (MGM SE3807, Stereo, 1961).  I know it's a different type of holiday, but I just found this one last Saturday at a record store and I couldn't resist throwing it in here for you. You'll see alot of this sort of thing going on around here.

And that's it.  I'm sure you'll find something in there to peek your interest.  Come back often, I've got plenty to share this season.  And leave me a comment telling me your favorites.  I love to hear from you.  Here's the link to the download.  Once you've downloaded the ZIP file, you'll have to unpack it, then the MP3 files will be in the new folder and you can listen to them on your choice of playback software.  Enjoy!

Thanksgiving In June-Part 2

Well, what do you know, I've got a few Thanksgiving tunes left over from yesterday.  Here are twelve more tracks to get you in the mood for turkey day, even though it's almost five months away.

1 & 2. Unknown Artist-I'm A Very Fine Turkey & Thanksgiving, two more tracks from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  That makes this the most prolific Thanksgiving track record in our short season.

3. Children From New York Public School 24 With Guitar Accompaniment-My Mom's Thanksgiving Dinner from Songs For All Year Long (Folkways/Scholastic SC7626, Mono, 1965).  Folkways has put out a lot of good music over the years, a lot of the things that wouldn't have been released anywhere else.

4. Ray Middleton-Choir & Music Under Direction Of Howard Barlow-Thanksgiving Day from the album Ten Protestant Holy Days (Candle Records CAN-111, Mono, 1957). Yes, I think I have all of the Holy Days albums now.  Aren't I special!

5. Unknown Artist-Turkey In The Straw from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  This is the song that comes after the narration I shared with you yesterday from this record. And I told you that we'd be hearing a lot from this Unknown Artist fellow...

6. Richard Hayman, His Harmonica And Orchestra-Turkey Mambo from Let's Get Together (Wing (Mercury) MGW 12100, Mono, 1956).  Another record that's been in the stack for ages and I just kept flipping past it.

7. Greg & Steve-Happy Thanksgiving To All from Holidays And Special Times (Youngheart Records YR009-R, Stereo, 1989).  This is getting pretty late for the vinyl record, and very late for me as far as stuff I collect.  But when you find a good song, you gotta use it.

8. 101 Strings, Recorded Under The Direction Of D.L. Miller-Praise God This Thanksgiving Day from Themes And Songs Of American Holidays (Alshire S-5056, Stereo, 1967).  One of the tracks that I recorded ages ago and pulled from the archives for sharing this year.

9. New York Philharmonic-Leonard Bernstein, Conductor, With The Camerata Singers-Abraham Kaplan, Director-Thanksgiving And/Or Forefathers' Day from Leonard Bernstein Conducts Charles Ives' Holidays Symphony (Columbia Masterworks MS 7147, Stereo, 1968).  Another version of that dirge-like track I shared yesterday.  Not my favorite holiday song.

10. Julia Sutton And Company-Thanksgiving Day from The Good Old Bad Old Days (EMI (UK) EMA 751, Stereo, 1973).  Interesting show tune from the well known team of Leslie Briscusse and Anthony Newley.

11. Bob Hope-Thanksgiving Day from Holidays (Spear/Bell 4700, Stereo, 1973).  Because you need a little comedy for your listening pleasure.

12. Hap Palmer-Things I'm Thankful For-Instrumental from Holiday Songs And Rhythms (Activity Records AR-538, Stereo, 1980).  This is an instrumental version of a track I shared with you yesterday, in case you wonder what it has to do with Thanksgiving other than the title...

And that's it, another fine day in the books. Hope there's something in here you enjoy!  Don't forget to leave me the wishbone!  Oh, a link would be nice...

Thanksgiving In June-Part 1

Hello!  And welcome to the inaugural Thanksgiving in June post!  I don't think I've ever actually shared any Thanksgiving music with you in June, though I'm sure I've shared some with you at some point in the past, probably right around the real Thanksgiving in November.  But this year I noticed that I had quite a few Thanksgiving tracks in the new music folder, and I dug up a few more from years' past that I'd never done anything with, so now I'm sharing them with you.  As is the tradition around here, there tracks are pulled from musty old vinyl in my collection, and all of the tracks come from normal everyday albums that aren't really related to the holiday.  And as it turns out, Turkey In The Straw is a very popular base for a Thanksgiving song, just sayin'...  Anyhow, let's see what's in the download.

1. Ken Griffin-Turkey In The Straw from The Sparkling Touch!-Bright And Merry Organ Favorites (Columbia CL 1709, Mono, 1961).  I'm starting with this one because I just bought it a few hours ago, and ripped it less than an hour ago.

2 & 3. Unknown Artist (who'll be very popular this year around here)-Over The River And Through The Woods & Father, We Thank Thee from Making Music Your Own-Kindergarten Record IV (Silver Burdett Records 75 180 4, Mono, 1966).  This is something I ripped some years ago, and shared some of the Christmas music from it with you, but never the Thanksgiving stuff.  So here it is.  Enjoy!

4. Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Donald Johanos-Conductor, With The Southern Methodist University Choir, Lloyd Pfautsch-Director performing Thanksgiving And/Or Forefathers' Day from the LP Charles Ives-Holidays Symphony (Turnabout-Vox TV 34146S, Stereo, 1967).  This one has been in the stack of stuff to rip for years and years, but I only got around to it a few days ago.  It's long, dark, somewhat atonal, not at all what you might expect around here.  But then, that's what I like to share. :)

5. Lawrence Welk-Vocal By The Glee Club-Be Thankful from Songs Of Faith (Coral CRL 57191, Mono, 1957). A nice little hymn for you, from the TV polka master, though this is pretty far from his polka image. If you've never listened to Larry Welk's early music, you should treat yourself sometime.  Before he was typecast on TV, he was quite the imaginative musician.

6. The Philadelphia Chorale-Earl Ness, Conductor-Praise And Thanksgiving from Hymns At Home (Lutheran Church Press  LB 22, Mono, 1964).  If memory serves, this album was part of a series that was designed to teach you new hymns to sing in church.  Not sure if it was aimed at the layperson, or the music director types, but I've seen quite a few of them turn up over the years.

7. Hap Palmer With The Children's Chorus-Things I'm Thankful For-Vocal from Holiday Songs And Rhythms (Activity Records AR-538, Stereo, 1980).  More children's music.  There's frequently holiday music on children's records, especially when the word holiday is in the title of the album.

8. Lynn Roberts, Carmen Baron & Juda Campbell-The Turkey Wobble from Holiday Songs For All Occasions (Kimbo Educational KIM 0805, Stereo, 1978).  See, holiday is right there in the title!

9. Thanksgiving Day by James Dukas from Holidays Holidays (Golden Records LP 250, Mono).  See, that one says holiday twice in the title...

10. Sonny Salsbury-Soloist: Sheldon Curry-Thanksgiving from Song For All Seasons (Word WST-8810, Stereo, 1979).  Sometimes you can get holiday songs from albums with Season or Seasons in the title, too.  I've learned these things over many years.

11. Robert Maxwell, His Harp And Orchestra-Pumpkin Yellow from A Song For All Seasons (Decca DL 74609, Stereo, 1965).  I thought pumpkins are orange?  Maybe they've evolved some new coloration in the past few decades.

12. Ferrante And Teicher-Cold Turkey from Dynamic Twin Pianos (United Artists Ultra Audio WWS-8504, Stereo, 1960).  No, not the John Lennon song, but a rip-off of Turkey In The Straw.

There, 12 songs, that's not a bad start to Thanksgiving In June.  Thanks for playing, here's the download link.  See you soon!

Last Christmas (In July)

All the old shares from last Christmas In July are going to go bye-bye from Zippyshare in about four days if no-one goes in there and downloads them.  So if you're interested, better get them all now.  Once they're gone, they don't come back.  Only five months to new stuff, but there was some pretty good stuff last year.  Don't let it expire!  Start here, end here.