Hermanos Zavala - Christmas In Mexico

It's not often you see a Christmas album adorned by imitation passport stamps (see the top right corner) or a piñata for that matter but...

This intriguing album was downloaded on November 21, 2006 at 12:43 PM from our friend Bongo over at BongoBells (great find, Bongo!).

Google picks up a myriad of stuff concerning Hermanos Zavala. The laughable AOL Music site claims you can find Zavala photos, songs, live performances, even music videos. Umm, yeah.

Other sites found include "The One Hundred Voices of the Hermanos Zavala" and "Mariachi Los Hermanos Zavala". The rest is just recycled hash which is a pity.

This album is the Spanish equivalent of a Mitch Miller album! A soft rendition of "The Christmas Song", followed by a raucous version of "Sleigh Ride", then a very reverent "Adeste Fideles" sung beautifully in Spanish.

It gets better. "Rodolfo el Reno de la Nariz Roja" takes on elements of The Three Suns and is a hoot! "Silver Bells" is next and conjures up images of Bob Hope walking the streets of Mexico City at Christmas. "Ave Maria" is next so keep walking down the street to the local mission where midnight mass is underway.

Side 2 brings us "Blanco Navidad", a version Irving Berlin would be proud of. The next two songs are original and unique. "God Be Praised" borders on the Now Sound but maintains that Mitch feel - very cool. "The Christmas Star" has just enough Mexican charm and heavy on the Christmas.

"Jingle Bells" in Spanish is always fun and festive but the final two songs are heavy on the reverent side. "The Virgin Of Guadalupe" is a beautiful song that tells the story of Our Lady Of Guadalupe. "Silent Night" follows in Spanish and is always the perfect way to end an Christmas album.

This is a fun album that you'd have to file under "Change Of Pace" for sure. Some of these tracks will one day find a home on my annual Christmas comp as well.


UP NEXT: What I downloaded on November 23, 2006 at 6:36 PM


Capt

Hermanos Zavala - Christmas In Mexico

It's not often you see a Christmas album adorned by imitation passport stamps (see the top right corner) or a piñata for that matter but...

This intriguing album was downloaded on November 21, 2006 at 12:43 PM from our friend Bongo over at BongoBells (great find, Bongo!).

Google picks up a myriad of stuff concerning Hermanos Zavala. The laughable AOL Music site claims you can find Zavala photos, songs, live performances, even music videos. Umm, yeah.

Other sites found include "The One Hundred Voices of the Hermanos Zavala" and "Mariachi Los Hermanos Zavala". The rest is just recycled hash which is a pity.

This album is the Spanish equivalent of a Mitch Miller album! A soft rendition of "The Christmas Song", followed by a raucous version of "Sleigh Ride", then a very reverent "Adeste Fideles" sung beautifully in Spanish.

It gets better. "Rodolfo el Reno de la Nariz Roja" takes on elements of The Three Suns and is a hoot! "Silver Bells" is next and conjures up images of Bob Hope walking the streets of Mexico City at Christmas. "Ave Maria" is next so keep walking down the street to the local mission where midnight mass is underway.

Side 2 brings us "Blanco Navidad", a version Irving Berlin would be proud of. The next two songs are original and unique. "God Be Praised" borders on the Now Sound but maintains that Mitch feel - very cool. "The Christmas Star" has just enough Mexican charm and heavy on the Christmas.

"Jingle Bells" in Spanish is always fun and festive but the final two songs are heavy on the reverent side. "The Virgin Of Guadalupe" is a beautiful song that tells the story of Our Lady Of Guadalupe. "Silent Night" follows in Spanish and is always the perfect way to end an Christmas album.

This is a fun album that you'd have to file under "Change Of Pace" for sure. Some of these tracks will one day find a home on my annual Christmas comp as well.


UP NEXT: What I downloaded on November 23, 2006 at 6:36 PM


Capt

A Bongo Trio - Three Reviews in One

Why didn't someone think of this before?

One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!

Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!

This is the first of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

Twenty Little Drummer Boys - TRACK REVIEW:

1.) The Harry Simone Chorale

I use to detest this song when I was a child because I thought it was repetitive and the Rankin-Bass Christmas special sucked. I have since wised up.

2.) Cuba L.A.

Imagine sitting in a Cuban jazz bar in L.A. around Christmas. This is smooooth!

3.) Peter Wood Singers

Bongo snagged this from FaLaLaLaLa.com and you can read my yuleblog review here.

4.) RiverTribe

An electronica version? Somehow, it fits with this song nicely!

5.) Ten Point Ten

An interesting version... a Michael Bolton sound alike? And this lasts 6:46? Check please!

6.) Eric Darken

Very nice voice although the song rambles here and there. Very 1980s feel to this one!

7.) Sy Mann (from "Switched On Santa")

Four out of five physicians recommend a daily dose of MOOG. You can download this album at my buddy Jeff's website!

8.) Smokey Mountain

Played on authentic 19th century instruments, this one lasts only 1:37. A nice version all around.

9.) Arthur Lyman

A great version from the Hawaiian Island king of vibes!

10.) Take 6

Whatever happened to these guys? One of the highlights off their 1991 Christmas CD.

11.) Terry Beaumont

Xylophone? Vibes? A bouncy island beat you can dance to? Sweet!

12.) Mannheim Steamroller

Must .... reach .... the .... skip .... button .... before .... passing ....... zzzzz

13.) Jingle Cats

Cleverly uses a cat's purr to catch the feel of the "rum-pa-pum-pumms". Not as annoying as you would think!

14.) Daryl Stuermer

A soft jazz version for the first 2 minutes, then a screechy electric guitar for the next two. Whoa.

15.) The Fab Four

This Beatle soundalike group blends "Little Drummer Boy" around "Sun King" - it works fantastically!

16.) Yellowjackets

A pure jazz version of this song by a group who knows its business!

17.) Kofi

A hip-hop / reggae version of this song by a poor man's Shaggy. I can't stop laughing!

18.) White Heart

METAL! Banging my head while holding the lighter (not cell phone) over my head!

19.) Ray Stevens

Don't look Ethel... but Ray's done a pretty funny parody called "The Little Drummer Boy-Next Door"

20.) Bongolong

Our friend Bongo plays the final version a la surf guitar style! Dude! A narly way to end the CD!

This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.

2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!

3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!

4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!

5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...

6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...

7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!

8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!

9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.

10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...

11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!

12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.

13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!

14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!

15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?

16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...

17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!

18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.

19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.

20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.

21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...

22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!




This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!

2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).

3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!

4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...

5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".

6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.

7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.

8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.

9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.

10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!

11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!

12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...

13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.

14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!

15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.

16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!

17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.

18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.

19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!


Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.


Capt

A Bongo Trio - Three Reviews in One

Why didn't someone think of this before?

One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!

Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!

This is the first of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

Twenty Little Drummer Boys - TRACK REVIEW:

1.) The Harry Simone Chorale

I use to detest this song when I was a child because I thought it was repetitive and the Rankin-Bass Christmas special sucked. I have since wised up.

2.) Cuba L.A.

Imagine sitting in a Cuban jazz bar in L.A. around Christmas. This is smooooth!

3.) Peter Wood Singers

Bongo snagged this from FaLaLaLaLa.com and you can read my yuleblog review here.

4.) RiverTribe

An electronica version? Somehow, it fits with this song nicely!

5.) Ten Point Ten

An interesting version... a Michael Bolton sound alike? And this lasts 6:46? Check please!

6.) Eric Darken

Very nice voice although the song rambles here and there. Very 1980s feel to this one!

7.) Sy Mann (from "Switched On Santa")

Four out of five physicians recommend a daily dose of MOOG. You can download this album at my buddy Jeff's website!

8.) Smokey Mountain

Played on authentic 19th century instruments, this one lasts only 1:37. A nice version all around.

9.) Arthur Lyman

A great version from the Hawaiian Island king of vibes!

10.) Take 6

Whatever happened to these guys? One of the highlights off their 1991 Christmas CD.

11.) Terry Beaumont

Xylophone? Vibes? A bouncy island beat you can dance to? Sweet!

12.) Mannheim Steamroller

Must .... reach .... the .... skip .... button .... before .... passing ....... zzzzz

13.) Jingle Cats

Cleverly uses a cat's purr to catch the feel of the "rum-pa-pum-pumms". Not as annoying as you would think!

14.) Daryl Stuermer

A soft jazz version for the first 2 minutes, then a screechy electric guitar for the next two. Whoa.

15.) The Fab Four

This Beatle soundalike group blends "Little Drummer Boy" around "Sun King" - it works fantastically!

16.) Yellowjackets

A pure jazz version of this song by a group who knows its business!

17.) Kofi

A hip-hop / reggae version of this song by a poor man's Shaggy. I can't stop laughing!

18.) White Heart

METAL! Banging my head while holding the lighter (not cell phone) over my head!

19.) Ray Stevens

Don't look Ethel... but Ray's done a pretty funny parody called "The Little Drummer Boy-Next Door"

20.) Bongolong

Our friend Bongo plays the final version a la surf guitar style! Dude! A narly way to end the CD!

This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.

2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!

3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!

4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!

5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...

6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...

7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!

8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!

9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.

10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...

11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!

12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.

13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!

14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!

15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?

16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...

17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!

18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.

19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.

20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.

21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...

22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!




This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!

We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!

2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).

3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!

4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...

5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".

6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.

7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.

8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.

9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.

10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!

11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!

12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...

13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.

14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!

15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.

16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!

17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.

18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.

19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!


Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.


Capt

Nelson Eddy - Songs For Christmas

"Ahhh, sweet mystery of life! At last I've found you!"

The song "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life" was utilized in the 1974 movie "Young Frankenstein" at certain climatic moments in the movie (wink wink).

However, it was first introduced in the 1935 movie "Naughty Marietta" by Nelson Eddy, the gentleman on the cover of today's album.

This amazing Christmas find from 1951 was brought to us from Bongo at his BongoBells blog (say that five times fast!) and you can STILL download this album over there!

Nelson Eddy spent much of his childhood becoming a classical trained opera singer. He honed his craft by singing at recitals, theatrical productions, and churches in hopes of bigger and better things.

That came in the late 1920s when he became a principal performer with the Philadelphia Civic Opera. His introduction to opera also gave him the chance to study under many of the leading voice/opera coaches of the day.

After a successful singing stint in Los Angeles, Eddy was spotted and signed by Louis B. Mayer of MGM. His movie contract called for three months off in the year so he could continue to perform concerts and operas - one of the first movie stars to demand and get his own terms nonetheless!

It was also at MGM where Eddy was introduced to a lovely soprano starlet who worked herself up through vaudeville, Broadway musicals, and concerts and the like. Her name was Jeanette MacDonald and one of the greatest screen duos in history was born.

Nelson and Jeanette made eight films together over their long careers. In two of those films, Eddy played a Canadian Mountie in full gear singing his way through the movie and into MacDonald's arms. For a time, anyone in Mountie gear was expected to burst into song a la Eddy.

It was also around this time that Nelson began a long recording career. From 1935 to 1938, he recorded for RCA Victor and since Jeanette was also under contract with RCA, many of their screen duets were immortalized forever. After his contract expired, he signed with Columbia Records and remained with them for the next twenty years.

Eddy also constructed a home recording studio as a way of monitoring his own vocal performance. Not only did he study his singing, but he also experimented with multi-tracking by recording three part harmony (soprano, tenor, baritone). This was prominently featured when Eddy lent his voice to a singing whale in the Walt Disney film "Make Mine Music" back in 1946.

This album (with some help from Paul Weston & The Pied Pipers) is your basic Christmas album - chorus, orchestra, and arrangements all perfectly balanced with the strong baritone of Nelson right out front.

In fact, it's very basic.

Eddy's voice is masterful and shines throughout but I get the feeling this was recorded in a rush. For example, "O Holy Night" is a song designed to test even the most experienced singer with emotion and vocal range. Eddy doesn't even break a sweat!

Every song is done at a brisk pace which doesn't allow for much passion and emotion. It might have helped if Eddy recorded some contemporary songs ("White Christmas" is the only one written in the 20th century on this album) and trimmed down the standard carols. This is probably why the album sounds so blase.

Nelson continued his film, recording, and concert career throughout World War II (he toured extensively with the USO through North Africa after its liberation in 1943) and beyond. He also dabbled on radio and television, even reuniting with Jeanette MacDonald occasionally on a TV show or album.

In 1953, Eddy formed a nightclub act, not knowing if the risky career move would pan out. He chose a young singer named Gale Sherwood for his partner and hit the road. It worked well. Nelson and Gale continued singing together for the next fourteen years!

On March 5, 1967, Nelson and Gale were performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida when he was stricken onstage in mid-performance by a cerebral hemorrage and died the next day. He was not buried in a Canadian Mounted Police uniform (lousy urban legend).

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Nelson Eddy - Songs For Christmas

"Ahhh, sweet mystery of life! At last I've found you!"

The song "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life" was utilized in the 1974 movie "Young Frankenstein" at certain climatic moments in the movie (wink wink).

However, it was first introduced in the 1935 movie "Naughty Marietta" by Nelson Eddy, the gentleman on the cover of today's album.

This amazing Christmas find from 1951 was brought to us from Bongo at his BongoBells blog (say that five times fast!) and you can STILL download this album over there!

Nelson Eddy spent much of his childhood becoming a classical trained opera singer. He honed his craft by singing at recitals, theatrical productions, and churches in hopes of bigger and better things.

That came in the late 1920s when he became a principal performer with the Philadelphia Civic Opera. His introduction to opera also gave him the chance to study under many of the leading voice/opera coaches of the day.

After a successful singing stint in Los Angeles, Eddy was spotted and signed by Louis B. Mayer of MGM. His movie contract called for three months off in the year so he could continue to perform concerts and operas - one of the first movie stars to demand and get his own terms nonetheless!

It was also at MGM where Eddy was introduced to a lovely soprano starlet who worked herself up through vaudeville, Broadway musicals, and concerts and the like. Her name was Jeanette MacDonald and one of the greatest screen duos in history was born.

Nelson and Jeanette made eight films together over their long careers. In two of those films, Eddy played a Canadian Mountie in full gear singing his way through the movie and into MacDonald's arms. For a time, anyone in Mountie gear was expected to burst into song a la Eddy.

It was also around this time that Nelson began a long recording career. From 1935 to 1938, he recorded for RCA Victor and since Jeanette was also under contract with RCA, many of their screen duets were immortalized forever. After his contract expired, he signed with Columbia Records and remained with them for the next twenty years.

Eddy also constructed a home recording studio as a way of monitoring his own vocal performance. Not only did he study his singing, but he also experimented with multi-tracking by recording three part harmony (soprano, tenor, baritone). This was prominently featured when Eddy lent his voice to a singing whale in the Walt Disney film "Make Mine Music" back in 1946.

This album (with some help from Paul Weston & The Pied Pipers) is your basic Christmas album - chorus, orchestra, and arrangements all perfectly balanced with the strong baritone of Nelson right out front.

In fact, it's very basic.

Eddy's voice is masterful and shines throughout but I get the feeling this was recorded in a rush. For example, "O Holy Night" is a song designed to test even the most experienced singer with emotion and vocal range. Eddy doesn't even break a sweat!

Every song is done at a brisk pace which doesn't allow for much passion and emotion. It might have helped if Eddy recorded some contemporary songs ("White Christmas" is the only one written in the 20th century on this album) and trimmed down the standard carols. This is probably why the album sounds so blase.

Nelson continued his film, recording, and concert career throughout World War II (he toured extensively with the USO through North Africa after its liberation in 1943) and beyond. He also dabbled on radio and television, even reuniting with Jeanette MacDonald occasionally on a TV show or album.

In 1953, Eddy formed a nightclub act, not knowing if the risky career move would pan out. He chose a young singer named Gale Sherwood for his partner and hit the road. It worked well. Nelson and Gale continued singing together for the next fourteen years!

On March 5, 1967, Nelson and Gale were performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida when he was stricken onstage in mid-performance by a cerebral hemorrage and died the next day. He was not buried in a Canadian Mounted Police uniform (lousy urban legend).

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Alexander Goodrich - Christmas Organ And Chimes

Here is yet another Christmas organ music album for my collection. If you're keeping score at home, this is the FOURTEENTH album of the organ variety that I've added since last year.

Wurlitzers, Kimballs, and Lowerys... oh my!

If you've ever thumbed through a stack of Goodwill or Salvation Army albums in one of their stores, chances are you've seen this album. I have seen two different album covers for this one personally and wouldn't be surprised if there were others.

Released by Caroleer Records in 1964, this one features one Alexander Goodrich playing your favorite Christmas tunes.

I wish I could add more. Google searches lead nowhere on either Alexander Goodrich and Caroleer Records.

As for the music, this is about as straight as you can get without an ounce of soul or rhythm. Adding chimes only serve to awaken those who might fall asleep during the tracks. Every public domain song is captured here because chances are Caroleer Records couldn't afford the ASCAP licenses for other Christmas songs. You get a collection of Christmas music that your aunt Sophie could play better - even if she was schlossed with eggnog.

The cover is about the best thing for the entire album. When is the last time you saw a hunk of mistletoe that big hung anywhere? PhotoShop the words off and you've got a pretty fun looking Christmas couple.

This is still available to download over at BongoBells but do yourself a favor - get some of the other great albums he has to offer there. Bongo, you've taken a true vinyl bin staple and preserved it forever. I'm not sure if you ought to be congratulated or not but it's the effort that you put in that I salute. Keep up the great work!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Alexander Goodrich - Christmas Organ And Chimes

Here is yet another Christmas organ music album for my collection. If you're keeping score at home, this is the FOURTEENTH album of the organ variety that I've added since last year.

Wurlitzers, Kimballs, and Lowerys... oh my!

If you've ever thumbed through a stack of Goodwill or Salvation Army albums in one of their stores, chances are you've seen this album. I have seen two different album covers for this one personally and wouldn't be surprised if there were others.

Released by Caroleer Records in 1964, this one features one Alexander Goodrich playing your favorite Christmas tunes.

I wish I could add more. Google searches lead nowhere on either Alexander Goodrich and Caroleer Records.

As for the music, this is about as straight as you can get without an ounce of soul or rhythm. Adding chimes only serve to awaken those who might fall asleep during the tracks. Every public domain song is captured here because chances are Caroleer Records couldn't afford the ASCAP licenses for other Christmas songs. You get a collection of Christmas music that your aunt Sophie could play better - even if she was schlossed with eggnog.

The cover is about the best thing for the entire album. When is the last time you saw a hunk of mistletoe that big hung anywhere? PhotoShop the words off and you've got a pretty fun looking Christmas couple.

This is still available to download over at BongoBells but do yourself a favor - get some of the other great albums he has to offer there. Bongo, you've taken a true vinyl bin staple and preserved it forever. I'm not sure if you ought to be congratulated or not but it's the effort that you put in that I salute. Keep up the great work!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Guitars Inc. - Guitars At Christmas

From the back cover of this album:

"What happier way to celebrate Christmas? The Festive Sounds of Yuletide have never been captured with greater warmth or charm in this novel album. "Guitars At Christmas" combines the talents of five of America's most distinguished guitarists with the very special, tinsel-like sounds of Christmas: chimes, bells, celeste, music boxes, and many other memory stirring delights.

"The sixteen very popular melodies in this album are given soft but stirring interpretations by the many rich "voices" of guitarists Al Hendrickson, Howard Roberts, Bobby Gibbons, Tommy Tedesco, and Bill Pitman. The sound they develop is distinctive enough to stimulate even the most jaded of ears, adding zest and a bubbly newness to the most familiar of melodies.

"No small part of the liveli- and loveliness heard here can be attributed to the refreshing accents flowing from the "light as a Winter's night," clear as crystal, musical sounds of Christmas. These sounds, specially imported from Santa's wonderland, combine with the rich, distinctive tones of Guitars Inc. to provide a wonderful background for your Christmas, one that will make your Season's Greetings much the merrier. What happier way to celebrate Christmas?"

Indeed!

By clicking on the links above, you'll find out that these five men selected to play on this album weren't just your average, run-of-the-mill pickers. These were the best sidemen in the business at that time! Since there isn't a producer listed anywhere on the album sleeve, I tip my hat to the genius who came up with this concept at Warner Brothers back in 1959 when this album was cut.

The whole album is so well produced, so well orchestrated, and so well played by the guitarists that it's hard to imagine what this would sound like if you took one of those elements out of the equation. It's a perfect blend. Favorites include "Jingle Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", and "White Christmas".

The standout tracks, however, are "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride". "Wonderland" is just so crafty because of its tempo changes and the excellent guitar licks. "Sleigh Ride's" arrangement is vintage Three Suns - almost sounds like their version too! The guitars provide all the excitement on this track... it's classic.

It would have been thrilling to hear this album in STEREO... oh, that would be too much!

If you think I'm overexaggerating any of this, then visit BongoBells and download it for yourself! Bongo, thank you for finding this excellent album and giving it new life!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Guitars Inc. - Guitars At Christmas

From the back cover of this album:

"What happier way to celebrate Christmas? The Festive Sounds of Yuletide have never been captured with greater warmth or charm in this novel album. "Guitars At Christmas" combines the talents of five of America's most distinguished guitarists with the very special, tinsel-like sounds of Christmas: chimes, bells, celeste, music boxes, and many other memory stirring delights.

"The sixteen very popular melodies in this album are given soft but stirring interpretations by the many rich "voices" of guitarists Al Hendrickson, Howard Roberts, Bobby Gibbons, Tommy Tedesco, and Bill Pitman. The sound they develop is distinctive enough to stimulate even the most jaded of ears, adding zest and a bubbly newness to the most familiar of melodies.

"No small part of the liveli- and loveliness heard here can be attributed to the refreshing accents flowing from the "light as a Winter's night," clear as crystal, musical sounds of Christmas. These sounds, specially imported from Santa's wonderland, combine with the rich, distinctive tones of Guitars Inc. to provide a wonderful background for your Christmas, one that will make your Season's Greetings much the merrier. What happier way to celebrate Christmas?"

Indeed!

By clicking on the links above, you'll find out that these five men selected to play on this album weren't just your average, run-of-the-mill pickers. These were the best sidemen in the business at that time! Since there isn't a producer listed anywhere on the album sleeve, I tip my hat to the genius who came up with this concept at Warner Brothers back in 1959 when this album was cut.

The whole album is so well produced, so well orchestrated, and so well played by the guitarists that it's hard to imagine what this would sound like if you took one of those elements out of the equation. It's a perfect blend. Favorites include "Jingle Bells", "Deck The Halls", "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", and "White Christmas".

The standout tracks, however, are "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride". "Wonderland" is just so crafty because of its tempo changes and the excellent guitar licks. "Sleigh Ride's" arrangement is vintage Three Suns - almost sounds like their version too! The guitars provide all the excitement on this track... it's classic.

It would have been thrilling to hear this album in STEREO... oh, that would be too much!

If you think I'm overexaggerating any of this, then visit BongoBells and download it for yourself! Bongo, thank you for finding this excellent album and giving it new life!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Paul Mickelson - Christmas Bells

In March of this year, I added my first Christmas carillon album. Two months later, I purchased my second Christmas carillon CD.

We now fast forward to today and here is the third Christmas carillon album for my collection! Recorded in 1955, this one features a gent by the name of Paul Mickelson.

Not much is known (or at least available online) about Mickelson's early life. We do know that he was a talented musician and a devout Christian by the time he was asked by Billy Graham to join his evangelical ministries as an organist in 1950.

In 1953, Billy Graham Ministries released a 78 RPM entitled "Wonderful Peace" that features Mickelson playing Christmas carols on side two. If any can locate a copy of that one, please let us know!

Two years later, Mickelson got a recording contract from RCA Victor. He released two albums in 1955; the first was Inspired by the lush sounds of Jackie Gleason, Mantovani, and the like, Mickelson gathered his orchestra and recorded his first LP "Sacred Songs With Singing Strings" (Christian elevator music? WOW!). The second album was this Christmas album you see before you.

This album gives us 25 (yep, twenty-five) tracks - most under 1:30 in length. And as the cover states "Paul Mickelson Playing Symphonic Carillon And Vibraharp". They ain't lying. Mickelson mixes it up, one track strictly a carillon rendition, the next strictly vibraharp, the next a combination of both. If you think he stops there, wait. Mickelson adds just strings in some tracks, others a full orchestra.

It's jumbled, it's simple, it's dynamic, it's blase, it's festive, it's vibrant, it's over?, it's never lacking for diversity, that's for sure!

My favorites included "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" (strictly on the carillon), "Joy To The World" and "Away In A Manger" (carillon / vibraharp combos), "Deck The Halls" (strictly strings), and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" (strictly vibraharp). The standout track is "Jesu Bambino" where Mickelson combines all these elements into one very nicely done song.

Mickelson had found his calling. He wanted to continue to record Christian music. In 1957, he said goodbye to the Billy Graham Ministries and focused on his last album for RCA: "The Music Of Paul Mickelson: Orchestra With Singing Strings". In 1958, he became vice-president and music director at Word Records, where he orchestrated albums for many Christian artists in addition to producing several instrumental albums of his own. Some time in 1959, he helped an artist named Ralph Boggs record a Christmas album entitled "Love Came Down At Christmas"

Mickelson then founded Supreme Records in Glendale, California in 1961. He helped more Christian artists to record albums (including Pat Boone) and still found time to release his own instrumental albums as well. Renaming his orchestra "The Supreme Strings", he released dozens of albums with the number 20 in the title ("20 Inspiration Favorites", "20 Symphonic Songs Of Inspiration", and one Christmas album entitled "20 Christmas Favorites").

Supreme Records was sold to Zondervan Books in 1973 and Mickelson presumably settled into retirement (not much out there online I'm afraid). Mickelson lived a good long life and died at the age on 73 on October 21, 2001.

This album was downloaded over at BongoBells - and whaddya know? It's STILL available to download over there! Thanks Bongo!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Paul Mickelson - Christmas Bells

In March of this year, I added my first Christmas carillon album. Two months later, I purchased my second Christmas carillon CD.

We now fast forward to today and here is the third Christmas carillon album for my collection! Recorded in 1955, this one features a gent by the name of Paul Mickelson.

Not much is known (or at least available online) about Mickelson's early life. We do know that he was a talented musician and a devout Christian by the time he was asked by Billy Graham to join his evangelical ministries as an organist in 1950.

In 1953, Billy Graham Ministries released a 78 RPM entitled "Wonderful Peace" that features Mickelson playing Christmas carols on side two. If any can locate a copy of that one, please let us know!

Two years later, Mickelson got a recording contract from RCA Victor. He released two albums in 1955; the first was Inspired by the lush sounds of Jackie Gleason, Mantovani, and the like, Mickelson gathered his orchestra and recorded his first LP "Sacred Songs With Singing Strings" (Christian elevator music? WOW!). The second album was this Christmas album you see before you.

This album gives us 25 (yep, twenty-five) tracks - most under 1:30 in length. And as the cover states "Paul Mickelson Playing Symphonic Carillon And Vibraharp". They ain't lying. Mickelson mixes it up, one track strictly a carillon rendition, the next strictly vibraharp, the next a combination of both. If you think he stops there, wait. Mickelson adds just strings in some tracks, others a full orchestra.

It's jumbled, it's simple, it's dynamic, it's blase, it's festive, it's vibrant, it's over?, it's never lacking for diversity, that's for sure!

My favorites included "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" (strictly on the carillon), "Joy To The World" and "Away In A Manger" (carillon / vibraharp combos), "Deck The Halls" (strictly strings), and "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" (strictly vibraharp). The standout track is "Jesu Bambino" where Mickelson combines all these elements into one very nicely done song.

Mickelson had found his calling. He wanted to continue to record Christian music. In 1957, he said goodbye to the Billy Graham Ministries and focused on his last album for RCA: "The Music Of Paul Mickelson: Orchestra With Singing Strings". In 1958, he became vice-president and music director at Word Records, where he orchestrated albums for many Christian artists in addition to producing several instrumental albums of his own. Some time in 1959, he helped an artist named Ralph Boggs record a Christmas album entitled "Love Came Down At Christmas"

Mickelson then founded Supreme Records in Glendale, California in 1961. He helped more Christian artists to record albums (including Pat Boone) and still found time to release his own instrumental albums as well. Renaming his orchestra "The Supreme Strings", he released dozens of albums with the number 20 in the title ("20 Inspiration Favorites", "20 Symphonic Songs Of Inspiration", and one Christmas album entitled "20 Christmas Favorites").

Supreme Records was sold to Zondervan Books in 1973 and Mickelson presumably settled into retirement (not much out there online I'm afraid). Mickelson lived a good long life and died at the age on 73 on October 21, 2001.

This album was downloaded over at BongoBells - and whaddya know? It's STILL available to download over there! Thanks Bongo!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Midnight String Quartet - Christmas Rhapsodies For Young Lovers

If you haven't visited Bongobells recently, you're missing out on some very interesting finds (a Nelson Eddy Christmas album? Who knew?). Many of these finds will be reviewed here over the next several weeks. This is the first.

Released in 1968 on the Viva label, not much else is known about the Midnight String Quartet other than a one sentence line on the back cover:

"The Midnight String Quartet has now arrived at a position of great prominence among the successful instrumental groups of the world."

Hmmm...

To understand all of this a bit further, let's take a closer look at the Viva label and the person behind it - a legendary record producer who got his nickname from chewing tobacco.

By the age of 15, Snuff Garrett was already working in the music industry as a producer's assistant. Two years later, he was a disk jockey in Lubbock, Texas, hosted an "American Bandstand" type TV show for a time, and moved west to Hollywood to begin work with Liberty Records.

One of Garrett's first job was to help the then shining stars of Liberty Records produce snappy songs while being able to hear the lyrics incredibly well. If your stars names were Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, it was especially true! It's hard to imagine but Ross Bagdasarian's Chipmunks kept Liberty solvent for a brief time.

By 1961, Garrett was head of A&R at Liberty. He hired a young producer named Phil Spector to produce songs in New York City while he helped produce major stars in Los Angeles such as Johnny Burdette and Bobby Vee. Several years later, Snuff hired a then unknown Leon Russell to help him with a new band whose first seven singles landed in the top ten. Can you believe it was Gary Lewis & The Playboys? Oh laaaadyyyy...

Around 1966, Garrett wanted to leave Liberty and begin his own label. Helping him was Jimmy Bowen, another legendary producer. They formed Viva Records and began to search for artists, songwriters, producers, ANYTHING that would help keep pace with the music world in the mid-1960s.

Hiring groups like The Midnight String Quartet didn't help.

This album is well-produced, well-arranged, and isn't annoying at all - a nice surprise. At first glance, I thought it would all begin to sound alike (and at times it creeps up to that point). But enter a well placed harpsichord, piano, jingle bells, and it doesn't sound bland at all.

There is one track that rises just a bit over all of them. The only original track on the album - "Christmas Rhapsody" is saved for last. Written by Snuff and Glen Hardin, it's a pleasant tune and quite lush. I couldn't help but wonder if there were words to this one and what would this have sounded like as a pop tune.

This is yet another album to play quietly in the background over Christmas dinner or a family get together. You can't do any worse.

Thanks to the lack of success on the charts, Viva met with little success and eventually Snuff sold the label to Warner Brothers in 1971. Garrett was working less and less in the music business by this time. His last big success was producing several hit Sonny & Cher albums in the mid-1970s when the world only thought of Sonny & Cher as TV variety show hosts.

Snuff Garrett is now retired and living in Arizona. We salute you Snuff!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Midnight String Quartet - Christmas Rhapsodies For Young Lovers

If you haven't visited Bongobells recently, you're missing out on some very interesting finds (a Nelson Eddy Christmas album? Who knew?). Many of these finds will be reviewed here over the next several weeks. This is the first.

Released in 1968 on the Viva label, not much else is known about the Midnight String Quartet other than a one sentence line on the back cover:

"The Midnight String Quartet has now arrived at a position of great prominence among the successful instrumental groups of the world."

Hmmm...

To understand all of this a bit further, let's take a closer look at the Viva label and the person behind it - a legendary record producer who got his nickname from chewing tobacco.

By the age of 15, Snuff Garrett was already working in the music industry as a producer's assistant. Two years later, he was a disk jockey in Lubbock, Texas, hosted an "American Bandstand" type TV show for a time, and moved west to Hollywood to begin work with Liberty Records.

One of Garrett's first job was to help the then shining stars of Liberty Records produce snappy songs while being able to hear the lyrics incredibly well. If your stars names were Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, it was especially true! It's hard to imagine but Ross Bagdasarian's Chipmunks kept Liberty solvent for a brief time.

By 1961, Garrett was head of A&R at Liberty. He hired a young producer named Phil Spector to produce songs in New York City while he helped produce major stars in Los Angeles such as Johnny Burdette and Bobby Vee. Several years later, Snuff hired a then unknown Leon Russell to help him with a new band whose first seven singles landed in the top ten. Can you believe it was Gary Lewis & The Playboys? Oh laaaadyyyy...

Around 1966, Garrett wanted to leave Liberty and begin his own label. Helping him was Jimmy Bowen, another legendary producer. They formed Viva Records and began to search for artists, songwriters, producers, ANYTHING that would help keep pace with the music world in the mid-1960s.

Hiring groups like The Midnight String Quartet didn't help.

This album is well-produced, well-arranged, and isn't annoying at all - a nice surprise. At first glance, I thought it would all begin to sound alike (and at times it creeps up to that point). But enter a well placed harpsichord, piano, jingle bells, and it doesn't sound bland at all.

There is one track that rises just a bit over all of them. The only original track on the album - "Christmas Rhapsody" is saved for last. Written by Snuff and Glen Hardin, it's a pleasant tune and quite lush. I couldn't help but wonder if there were words to this one and what would this have sounded like as a pop tune.

This is yet another album to play quietly in the background over Christmas dinner or a family get together. You can't do any worse.

Thanks to the lack of success on the charts, Viva met with little success and eventually Snuff sold the label to Warner Brothers in 1971. Garrett was working less and less in the music business by this time. His last big success was producing several hit Sonny & Cher albums in the mid-1970s when the world only thought of Sonny & Cher as TV variety show hosts.

Snuff Garrett is now retired and living in Arizona. We salute you Snuff!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Original Music Box Favorites V2

Earlier this year, I found this album in an antique store in the antique town of Pierceton, Indiana. At first glance, I nearly passed over it because of its non-Christmas title. However, the songs were and I added this to my pile of albums that I was preparing for the upcoming holiday season.

Then in July, our friend Bongolong at Bongolong Land offered this album as part of his "Christmas In July" celebration.

Earlier this month, Bongolong decided to create a new Christmas ONLY blog entitled Bongobells and is currently offering this album to download.

In his first three weeks, Bongo has offered 31 different albums with such diverse titles as:

"Ren & Stimpy's Crock O'Christmas"
"Mae West - Wild Christmas"
"Christmas In The Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album"
"Guitars Inc. - Guitars At Christmas"
"Jackie Gleason - Merry Christmas"

This music box album is one of the TWELVE albums I've downloaded from his site (each one of these albums will be reviewed, I promise!).

Now...

Err...

How does one review music boxes? Do I compare alloys from the machine and the discs? Are music boxes made in Switzerland better than the ones you can get at the San Francisco Music Box Co.?

Music boxes and Christmas have long been a tradition thanks in large part to Rita Ford. Ms. Ford's passion for collecting, restoring, and repairing music boxes led her to open her famous store in New York City back in 1947.

In 1961, a clever guy from Columbia Records approached Ford and asked about recording several music boxes for Christmas. A Music Box Christmas was a HUGE smash (you've heard at least one track off this album in your lifetime) and it was followed up in 1962 with "Music Box Wonderland Christmas with Rita Ford's Music Boxes".

Suddenly, the imitation music box LPs began popping up all over the budget labels. One album in particular released by Pickwick Records (the very same label that released the album before you) even claimed the music boxes were from Rita Ford! She quickly disavowed any connection with that album and has done many other times since.

As for this album, it was released by Pickwick in 1980...

And it's chock full of music boxes playing Christmas tunes.






(nervous grin)






That's about it. Bongo, thanks for beating me to the punch with this one!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Original Music Box Favorites V2

Earlier this year, I found this album in an antique store in the antique town of Pierceton, Indiana. At first glance, I nearly passed over it because of its non-Christmas title. However, the songs were and I added this to my pile of albums that I was preparing for the upcoming holiday season.

Then in July, our friend Bongolong at Bongolong Land offered this album as part of his "Christmas In July" celebration.

Earlier this month, Bongolong decided to create a new Christmas ONLY blog entitled Bongobells and is currently offering this album to download.

In his first three weeks, Bongo has offered 31 different albums with such diverse titles as:

"Ren & Stimpy's Crock O'Christmas"
"Mae West - Wild Christmas"
"Christmas In The Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album"
"Guitars Inc. - Guitars At Christmas"
"Jackie Gleason - Merry Christmas"

This music box album is one of the TWELVE albums I've downloaded from his site (each one of these albums will be reviewed, I promise!).

Now...

Err...

How does one review music boxes? Do I compare alloys from the machine and the discs? Are music boxes made in Switzerland better than the ones you can get at the San Francisco Music Box Co.?

Music boxes and Christmas have long been a tradition thanks in large part to Rita Ford. Ms. Ford's passion for collecting, restoring, and repairing music boxes led her to open her famous store in New York City back in 1947.

In 1961, a clever guy from Columbia Records approached Ford and asked about recording several music boxes for Christmas. A Music Box Christmas was a HUGE smash (you've heard at least one track off this album in your lifetime) and it was followed up in 1962 with "Music Box Wonderland Christmas with Rita Ford's Music Boxes".

Suddenly, the imitation music box LPs began popping up all over the budget labels. One album in particular released by Pickwick Records (the very same label that released the album before you) even claimed the music boxes were from Rita Ford! She quickly disavowed any connection with that album and has done many other times since.

As for this album, it was released by Pickwick in 1980...

And it's chock full of music boxes playing Christmas tunes.






(nervous grin)






That's about it. Bongo, thanks for beating me to the punch with this one!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt