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Merry Christmas!
Two years ago, I posted my first sampler which was basically a "best of" of all the music I shared out in 2006. One year ago, I posted my second sampler which was basically a preview of all the music I shared out this year (no links to the previous samplers - what's the point?).
About two months ago, I met a fellow Christmas music collector named Bill Dann who had supplied our friend Marc Bird with many, many a rare Christmas record. He sent me a list of extra Christmas 45s in his collection for sale and I purchased a fair number of these.
This led me to re-explore my haunts here in Fort Wayne looking for Christmas 45s. I came up with a few more amazing Christmas singles (thanks to Tim at Wooden Nickel) and even a couple of 78s (one of which came courtesy of my best friend Joel - thank you!).
On one of these searches, I came across an RCA Victor demonstration album entitled "Hearing Is Believing" which had the amazing cover art that I appropriated for my own. It also gives me a chance to use this vintage RCA Victor Christmas ad from 1950:
No spoken intro like on samplers past, no partial artwork like on samplers past, no individual tracks to pick and choose from like on samplers past. It's the full package - my Christmas present to you.
Your 2008 Christmas Yuleblog Sampler:
Decca Records - 9-27240 - 1950
From her 45 box set called "Toy Parade" - another contribution from the former closet of my in-laws!
Maybe the best rendition of this song ever.
Secret Records Incorporated - 8696 - 196?
Bluesy Christmas song that lays the whole story of Santa out, ya dig?
The B-side is coming up later... stay tuned.
Columbia Records - 4-41320 - 1958
No, not Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah... sadly, Google turned up nothing on these sisters. Anyone?
This is the B-side to "Happy Birthday Jesus" by Little Cindy which John Waters used on his Christmas album.
Polydor Records - PD 14445 - 1977
Mercy sakes alive, we got us a Christmas record!
Earlier in 1977, McCall gave us the C.B. hit "Convoy". This Christmas song has no C.B.s in it at all - surprisingly solemn.
RCA Victor - 26079-B - 1938
Straight chimes, anyone? From a 78 I found at a local Salvation Army store.
Thanks to Larry Pester for the transferring this!
Major Records - tjv-disco bells - 1975
A year before they gave us the disco hit "A Fifth of Beethoven", these guys gave the disco treatment to "Jingle Bells".
Man, I love Christmas disco...
Gateway Records - 9024-B - 195?
This is the first track I'm sharing from this EP. I searched everywhere for info on this one. Not a thing.
Nice to hear this song sung by a little girl instead of a little boy!
Applause Records - 8-1246 - 196?
I thought this looked familiar - Ernie shared out the A-side ("Someone Painted Rudolph's Nose a Chocolate Brown") at his blog.
Both sides are dynamite!
Coral Records - 9-62237 - 1958/9
Forget their 1994 duet from "Hopes For The Holidays" - this one recorded back in the day is the real deal!
I'm now looking for the album listed on the label...
Metromedia Country - MC-903-AA - 1972
An old-school Christmas country song with Chipmunk-like voices passed off as squirrels?
I am so there...
National Recording Corp. - NRC-063 (S-1102) - 1960
Don't look, ETHELLLLL! Made before he started doing novelties for a living, this one features Ray playing a mean piano instrumental.
The B-side is forthcoming.
Gateway Records - 9024-A - 195?
This is the second track I'm sharing from this EP. I searched everywhere for info on this one. Not a thing.
Very nice rendition.
Decca Records - 9-29727 (45-88777) - 1955
Nice original Christmas song from a double-sided promo single. The B-side is lurking below...
Thanks to Ted or whoever wrote 12-10-55 on the label!
Tower Records - 380 - 1967
Glad to get this rare single from the Cajun Chef! A nice compliment to his full Christmas album that I shared previously.
Great Record Co. - 1190 - 196?
Snowball's not a lamb but a cute adorable puppy... mix this with some old-school country and you get this toe-tapper.
Rondo Records - 45197-A - 1951
What better way to follow "Snowball" than with a winter waltz? A bunch of newspapers... har-dee-har-har.
Another contribution from the former closet of my in-laws!
Dico Records - D-101 - 1959
This is the hilarious B-side to "I Was A Teenage Reindeer". Listen as Backus plans the annual Christmas office party ("Boob McNutt!"). Clean copy!
Gateway Records - 9024-B - 195?
This is the third track I'm sharing from this EP. I searched everywhere for info on this one. Not a thing.
He makes a mean whiskey and sings a great rendition of "Rudolph" as well...
Mercury Records - 6067 - 1948?
This is my favorite track on the whole comp.
Not because of my friends' help. This is a great old-school Christmas country song whose melody will get trapped in your skull after hearing it...
Bullseye Records - B-1021 - 1959
Jay's solo voice vs. a male choir, a string section, and drums that attempt to blow little Eric out of the water.
A good alternative to the Harry Simeone Chorale.
Secret Records Incorporated - 8698 - 196?
Perhaps the grimmest Vietnam Christmas song of them all.
This one locks you in at note one and doesn't let you go. Oliver Stone couldn't have written this any better.
National Recording Corp. - NRC-063 (S-1101) - 1960
Stevens signed with NRC, owned by music mogul Bill Lowery, in 1958. During his tenure there, Ray did mostly session and arranging work (i.e. this song).
The following year NRC went bankrupt, Stevens signed with Mercury and began cranking out the parodies.
RCA Victor - 47-6322 - 1955
I missed out on an eBay auction for a Homer & Jethro Christmas EP (twice!). So when Tim at Wooden Nickel sold me this one, I didn't feel so bad.
Gateway Records - 9024-A - 195?
This is the fourth and final track I'm sharing from this EP. I searched everywhere for info on this one. Not a thing.
Another great rendition.
Decca Records - 9-29727 (45-88776) - 1955
Penney attempts to define Christmas through narration.
Did Stan Kenton get a listen to this before he recorded "What Is A Santa Claus?"
Hmmm...
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A Christmas Yuleblog Sampler - 2008
A reminder: I contributed an entry to Otis Fodder's 365 Days Project at WFMU's "Beware of the Blog!" on December 26th last year. If you're looking for some post-Christmas radio spots, and songs for the New Year, click on the link.
In years past, I've used this spot to share some personal info about me and my upcoming year. What's next?
About sixteen hours of uninterrupted sleep for starters. I stopped downloading stuff about three weeks back - it's time to catch up, sort through the backlog, catalog it all, and then do the same for all the Christmas CD presents I'll receive under the tree.
2009 will be a year of change for me. I want to lose 40 lbs. by my 40th birthday in June and I'm going to do my best to get to that goal. A special project lurks on the horizon that I definitely want to be part of (more on that as it develops).
Next fall, my youngest daughter will start kindergarten and my decade long career as a stay-at-home dad will come to an end. Finding a part-time job that revolves around my kids' schedule will be a difficult task for someone who hasn't been in the workplace for 10 years.
I'm looking into radio production classes - either online or nearby if available. Where that might lead to in the future ("Rob Martinez on KAOS Radio... here's the latest by Barry Manilow!") is anyone's guess.
In any case, I'll start cranking out new entries as best as I can next week. I won't be sharing out much - just the occasional MP3 post now and then.
If you found this place for the first time this year, thanks and I hope you'll stop back often. If you're a longtime reader, thanks for stopping here often and hope you'll come back. I am wishful that you found something that made you smile, brighten your day, week, Christmas season, lifetime, etc.
I appreciate all the comments, criticism, corrections, and comradery you've given to me throughout the 2008 downloading season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone reading, everywhere...
Capt
Next fall, my youngest daughter will start kindergarten and my decade long career as a stay-at-home dad will come to an end. Finding a part-time job that revolves around my kids' schedule will be a difficult task for someone who hasn't been in the workplace for 10 years.
I'm looking into radio production classes - either online or nearby if available. Where that might lead to in the future ("Rob Martinez on KAOS Radio... here's the latest by Barry Manilow!") is anyone's guess.
In any case, I'll start cranking out new entries as best as I can next week. I won't be sharing out much - just the occasional MP3 post now and then.
If you found this place for the first time this year, thanks and I hope you'll stop back often. If you're a longtime reader, thanks for stopping here often and hope you'll come back. I am wishful that you found something that made you smile, brighten your day, week, Christmas season, lifetime, etc.
I appreciate all the comments, criticism, corrections, and comradery you've given to me throughout the 2008 downloading season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone reading, everywhere...
Capt
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