On To Italia

Crazy clear water in Lake Como today in Varenna.

Rule Britannia

Traveling today...

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 3

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

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

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

MEGA

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 2

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

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

See you tomorrow!

MEGA

Chanukah In August 2023-Part 1

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

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

Come back for more tomorrow!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 31

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 30

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

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

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

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 29

Last Saturday of the month, I hope you're out doing something fun instead of sitting in front of your computer downloading Christmas music. But just in case, here's eleven more tracks for you. Another nice batch of stuff, hopefully something you can add to your favorites list.

1. The Rave-Ups-The Night Before Christmas (Hey Baby)
2. Father Dave-Little Town Of Bethlehem
3. Hal Redekop-Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring
4. The Raftsmen-The Frozen Logger
5. University Of Massachusetts Studio Concert Band, Conducted By Jeff Holmes-Winter Festival Pak: Only Santa Knows
6. Monnajean McIlwain, Lucille Cowden Kazee-Accompanist-Oh, Holy Night
7. Paul Belanger-How Rudolph Got His Name
8. Ray Stevens-Santa Claus Is Watching You
9. Monk Oaner-Sometimes In Winter (Minus Drums)
10. Marching Chiefs-Florida State University-Parade Of Carols (Medley Of Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Joy To The World And Oh Come Oh (SIC) Ye Faithful)
11. Jan DeGaetani, Mezzo-Soprano & Gilbert Kalish, Piano-A Christmas Carol

Download and enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 28

So close to the end now, I think I can smell it. Another ten tracks today, including some that I'm sure will make the best of. I don't want to spoil it for you by telling you which ones those are, but I'm sure you can figure it out. Here's the list, give it a once over, or just download it without peeking.

1. State Radio Orchestra Of The U.S.S.R.-Conducted By Samuel Samosud-Children's Chorus Under Direction Of V. Sokolov-Winter Holiday (Children's Suite): Departure
2. The Vanguard Singers-Here We Go A-Caroling
3. Jenny Michaels, Vocals & Guitar With Rhythm Band-Snowflakes
4. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Masters In This Hall
5. Sy Mann At The Lowrey-Winter Wonderland
6. Diane Leslie-Christmas Song
7. Jerry Murad's Harmonicats-Nutcracker Suite
8. Iroquois Junior Public School Primary & Senior Choirs, Choir Director-Shirley Munroe-O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
9. Stanley Holloway-Arranged And Conducted By Arthur Lief-Sam's Christmas Pudding
10. Popular Photography-Skis On Snow

Good stuff I tell you!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 27

Getting pretty close to the end here, but I've still got a pile of music up my sleeve. Only eight tracks today, but they're really long ones, some of the longest tracks I've shared all season, and all bundled up together.

1. Singing Francine, Music By Charlie's Roots-Hurray Hurrah
2. Kaye Ballard-Park Avenue Christmas
3. James Kenney And The Merry Orchestra-The Nutcracker
4. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-A Legend Of St. Nicholas (French)
5. Amy Grant-A Night To Remember/Luke 2:1-20
6. Alice Day-Medley: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
7. Lord Buckley-Scrooge
8. Kawaiahao Church Choir-Narration By Rev. Abraham K. Akaka, Pastor-Halleluia Chorus

Very eclectic, too, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what's in this pile. Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 26

Only five months until Boxing Day! Hope you're almost ready! In the meantime, here are ten more tracks to add to the complete collection.

1. The Four Lads-Things We Did Last Summer
2. Beaumont Family-Sledd Ride
3. Harry Koenig-White Christmas
4. Six Fat Dutchmen Under The Direction Of H. Loeffelmacher-Winter Snow Waltz
5. Original Salty Dogs Jazz Band-Santa Claus Blues
6. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-The Sheep Under The Snow (Celtic)
7. Sidnee Curtis, Soprano-Women's Chorus-Berkeley Chamber Singers-Alden Gilchrist, Organ And Conductor-Christmas Carol
8. Bobby Lester & The Moonglows-Hey Santa Claus-Live
9. The University Of Texas Longhorn Band-Glenn A. Richter, Director-My Favorite Things
10. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Silent Night

That should hold you until tomorrow.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 25

Big day today, it's now five months until Christmas Day! It may seem like a long time, but it will be here before you know it. Maybe if you start shopping now, you can find something nice to buy for me. A good place to start is my DISCOGS wishlist. Lots of great records in there that you may already have in your collection, all you have to do it send them to me. They'll look great in the background of my next Hoarders episode. :) Anyhow, I've got a whopping ten tracks for you today, what can I say, I was feeling generous. Gotta be something in there that you'll enjoy.

1. Sammy Kaye With The New Kayedets-I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing
2. Marlene VerPlanck-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. Robert Frost-Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
4. Hap Palmer With The Young Peoples Chorus-We Wish You A Merry Christmas-Vocal
5. Les Troubadours Du Roi Baudouin-Joachim Ngoi-Siku Kuu (Holy Night)
6. The Vanguard Singers-Take Time
7. Marais And Miranda With The Pardo Ancient Instrument Ensemble-The Rumble Drum (Flemish)
8. Iroquois Junior Public School Primary & Senior Choirs, Choir Director-Shirley Munroe-While Shepherds Watched
9. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Let There Be Peace On Earth
10. Jenson Publications-O, Christmas Tree-Excerpt

See anything you like? I hope so. Come back tomorrow for more!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 24

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. Not that it's raining, but that popped into my head for a Monday. Anyhow, a huge nine tracks for you today because I can see the end of the month from here and I think I can afford to splurge a little. I need to do a better count, but I think we're gonna have a good little run here through the end. Wish I could have been more generous the rest of the month, but there just aren't that many tracks in the pile this year. Maybe 2024, we'll see. So what's actually in the share today?

1. Czech Film Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Vaclav Neumann-January (At The Hearth)
2. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Joy To The World
3. Hap Palmer-What A World We'd Have If Christmas Lasted All Year Long-Vocal
4. Roberta Sherwood With The Malcolm Dodds Singers And Orchestra-Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. Father Dave-Ave Maria
6. The Shawnee Choir-Earl Willhoite, Director-Richard Lindroth, Accompanist-In Bethlehem
7. Red Garter-Sleigh Ride
8. Monk Oaner-Sometimes In Winter
9. Jo Wilder, Gino Conforti, Joe Ross And Company-Twelve Days To Christmas

Interesting stuff, for sure. Only a few repeats from previous years, and all pretty good stuff. Here's a link, have a good one. Don't let this Monday get you down.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 23

Happy Sunday to ya! Glad you could take a few minutes out of your busy weekend to grab a few new Christmas songs. Hope there's something in there you enjoy. If so, leave me a note so I know what you like. Maybe I have more. Maybe I just like to get comments. You be the judge. Here's a list so you aren't downloading blind.

1. Timothy Angel And Robert Fowkes (Trebles) With Malcolm Archer, Organist And Master Of The Choristors Bristol Cathedral-Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
2. Bill Cosby-Christmas Time
3. The Vanguard Singers-Little Baby Boy
4. Instructed By Ed Durlacher-Music By The Top Hands-Jingle Bells-Instructions
5. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Coventry Carol
6. Iroquois Junior Public School Primary & Senior Choirs, Choir Director-Shirley Munroe-In Dulci Jubilo
7. Robert Frost-Fire And Ice
8. K-tel-Silent Night

Look good? Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 22

A special little conceit today, I just finished ripping all of these tracks in one non-stop session that's ending with me posting them. I usually have things recorded a long time ahead, except for the occasional single track or two I may record in a hurry just to get it up. But all of these records just went on and off of the turntable today to give you fresh new rips. I think four of these albums even came from a single trip to a thrift store a couple weeks ago. Sometimes you go months without finding something to use, and sometimes you're able to load up in a single day. There's no rhyme or reason to it, but it sure is neat when it happens. So let's take a look at what's in the share for today, pretty sure there are a couple of things headed for a future best-of collection.

1. The George Mitchell Choir-Conducted By Robert De Cormier-The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy
2. The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Carmen Dragon-Dance Of The Buffoons (From The Snow Maiden)
3. Mike Dinapoli, Piano-Toyland
4. Doug Setterberg & Stan Boreson-Winter Wonderland
5. Elaine Stritch-Orchestra Under The Direction Of Deane Kincaide-Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
6. John Fischer With Pam Mark Hall-Mary & Joseph
7. Rick Dees And The Cast Of Idiots-Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)

Yep, some good stuff in there, along with a couple of repeats from previous years. You'll enjoy this one, take it along with you in the car today, and cool off a little bit by pretending it's Christmas.

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 21

Another day, another few songs. I think the count is up to eight songs today, but they are a bunch of tracks from artists I think I've been sharing all month with you. But it's still good music, right? The end of the month is coming up fast, but I've got a lot more to share with you before we get there.

1. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-In Bethlehem 'Neath Starlit Skies (Wait's Carol)
2. The Shawnee Choir-Earl Willhoite, Director-Richard Lindroth, Accompanist-Soloist: Gertrude Hippler, Soprano-A La Nanita Nana
3. The Vanguard Singers-Put Down Your Guns And Listen!
4. Calls By Don Durlacher-Music By The Top Hands-Jingle Bells-Calls & Music
5. Coryell/Catherine-Father Christmas
6. Les Troubadours Du Roi Baudouin-Joachim Ngoi-Mbali Kule (Gloria In Excelsis Deo)
7. Iroquois Junior Public School Primary & Senior Choirs, Choir Director-Shirley Munroe-I Saw Three Ships
8. Jenson Publications-Here We Come A'Wassailing

Enjoy the music, and come back tomorrow!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 20

Time for part 20, are you excited yet? Do you have any favorites? Are you tired of this thing dragging out all month and wish it was over already? Well, not much longer now. Here are the next seven tracks in the series:

1. Father Dave-Oh Come All Ye Faithful
2. Red Garter-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-The Holly And The Ivy
4. State Radio Orchestra Of The U.S.S.R.-Conducted By Samuel Samosud-Children's Chorus Under Direction Of V. Sokolov-Winter Holiday (Children's Suite): March - The Return
5. Marni Nixon-Orchestral Accompaniments By Ed Jurey-Snowflakes
6. Kawaiahao Church Choir-Pola'i E (Silent Night)
7. Kathy Lecinski-The Christmas Bell Story

The track by Kawaiahao Church Choir is from an album that I brought back with me from my trip to New Mexico last year. Only I could find an album by a Hawaiian church group at a Goodwill in Santa Fe, New Mexico, then bring it back to Florida to share with the world. Enjoy!

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 19

Time for your 19th nervous breakdown, no, wait, that's not right. Time for your 19th daily installment of Christmas In July music! Yeah, that sound better. Here are seven more tunes to get you a little bit closer to the complete collection.

1. Silver Burdett Company-Shepherds Go With Their Flocks
2. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Dance Of The Reed Flutes
3. The Country Gentlemen-A Cold Wind A' Blowin'
4. Laurindo Almeida-Ave Maria-Guitar Solo
5. The Newport Youth Band Under The Direction Of Marshall Brown-Lemon Drop
6. Conducted By Joseph Brooks-Christmas Song (Montage)
7. Jenson Publications-O, Come All Ye Faithful; Christmas Greetings; Home For The Holidays

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 18

Another day, another share. You know the drill by now. Here are seven more tracks of Christmas music during the month of July. Man, is it hot out there!

1. Silver Burdett Company-Christmas Lullaby
2. All-City Choir-Susan Van Dyck, Chairman-Nancy Ferguson, Coordinator-Fat Jolly Man
3. Robert Frost-Desert Places
4. Paul Belanger-Old Fashioned Christmas
5. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Il Est Né
6. Iroquois Junior Public School Primary & Senior Choirs, Choir Director-Shirley Munroe-Ding Dong Merrily On High
7. Jenson Publications-The Glory Of Christmas

MEGA

Christmas In July 2023-Part 17

Sharing seven tracks felt so good yesterday, I think I'm going to keep on doing that for a while. Well, at least until I start to run low on songs, but I think we'll be OK. Got some polka music for you today, another handbell track, and the various other random assorted stuff you keep coming back to hear.

1. Father Dave-Silent Night
2. State Radio Orchestra Of The U.S.S.R.-Conducted By Samuel Samosud-Children's Chorus Under Direction Of V. Sokolov-Winter Holiday (Children's Suite): The Bon-Fire - Song Of The Boys
3. Red Garter-White Christmas
4. The Ringing Belles-Rachael Kuivinen, Director-Yuletide Is Here Again
5. Happy Louie And His Polka Band-Candy Candy Polka
6. Richard Robinson-Orchestral Accompaniments By Ed Jurey-On A Christmas Night
7. Johnny Dyno And His New Dynamic Sound-Jingle Bells-Polka

Enjoy!

MEGA