Member of: The Yule Log.com Message Board

Posted on 05/09/2013 07:41

Thanks so much Chip,

I figured that my album was either a reissue but wasn't thinking "abridged" at the time.  I couldn't remember exactly the situation with Jo Stafford, but now that you have refreshed my memory, I realize my Vocalion copy of her album has a previously unreleased bonus track.

I don't know for sure if I have the reissue of Perry Como or not but I have about 10 Christmas albums from Perry, but they are duplicates because at the time I saw them, I couldn't remember if I already had that particular album or not and didn't want to take a chance that I didn't have it.  One I know I needed to replace, because someone drew glasses and I think a beard on the Perry on the album jacket.

I have the reissue of Peggy Lee's Happy Holidays and have been looking for the original.

I don't remember right now if I have The Living Strings "The Most Beautiful Sounds of Christmas" as I had to put several albums in boxes in my closets because of inspections and with several rows of record albums leaning against front of my TV/VCR stand and stuff, it just would look cluttered to management, so I put them away when we are due for an inspection, though I could leave them out as I have seen other apartments with stuff you had to climb over, but they get told they need to have a clear path throughout the apartment.  Even with the albums leaning against my TV/VCR stand, there is plenty of room, it just looks much nicer without the rows of at least 50 albums side by side leaning against stuff in my living room.

One of my favorite albums that is by The Living Strings/Guitars/Trio, is one I may have mentioned before, and I believe it came out in 1972 and is on RCA's Camden Label and the label on the albums are blue.  It is Fifty Christmas Favorites"  RCA/Camden CXS-9025.  It is a gatefold 2-Record set, and I was an album I would play several times through the years that I know it by heart when listening to it.

The images are not a true copy of the gatefold because I couldn't get it to stay on my scanner while trying to scan each side it 6 sections and then stitch it together, so I just scanned the two sections in 4 parts each and stitched them together.  I also tried to edit out blemishes, but you can see that it didn't come out that great, but it is better than what it was before.  There was yellowing from scotch tape keeping the shrink wrap on it, and where the tape didn't come off very easily, it took the gray from the jacket with it.  But these images are a fair representation of what this jacket looks like.

I thank you again, Chip, for the information and refreshing my memory on Jo Stafford.

{EDITED by Christmas Always to get the images to fit the viewable area of the screen}

Posted on 05/08/2013 17:23

Chip,

I came across an album this weekend on Vocalion Records.  "The Sound of Christmas" but there isn't a year listed, and I searched a few posts and saw one from November 19. 2010 with the initial post in the thread dated November 18, 2010 created by Yuleboy and your response #5 basically you mention that after 1965, that the Orchestra was conducted by Bob Mandell after George Melachrino passed away in 1965.  You did mention that George had passed away, but mentioned something about his songs on Compilation albums being billed under "The Melachrino Strings"

I vaguely remember you telling me once about a Jo Stafford's Christmas album I have and it was on the Vocalion label.  I believe you mentioned that it was released on another label before Vocalion, and I can't remember exactly if you told me that the Vocalion album had a couple extra songs on it or if it was missing a couple from the original release.  I'm not really questioning Jo Stafford's Christmas release, but just mentioned it being it was also on Vocalion Records.

But I was wondering if "The Sound of Christmas" - The Melachrino Strings, was a new release or a reissue?  It is on Vocalion Records VL 3809  I haven't scanned that jacket yet so I can't post a picture, but I would guess you know about this album too.  Is this album worth keeping, if it isn't conducted by George Melachrino, or is from his Christmas Joy Album?   Also what year was this album released?

Posted on 04/25/2013 17:54

Thanks Chip,

I had found "Christmas Magic" in a box of records I received for free, and I knew that Mistletoe Records often reissued previously released albums, but also released some on their own.  But then I saw several of them on eBay at different times and the seller/s were trying to say that it was Mantovani and His Orchestra and people were buying them under the impression that it was conducted by Mantovani.  So the are being mislead.

Posted on 04/25/2013 09:07

Thanks again Chip,

I am my own worst enemy, as I have said before "that you can't trust everything you find on the Internet, but use it more as a general reference"

I had posted the image from Amazon of Glenn Miller as that is what was there for the MP3 of "Sentimental Journey"  I wasn't aware that it was artwork from a CD.  I didn't look that far into Amazon, I had just searched for the song "Sentimental Journey" and it showed the artwork for the MP3 that you could buy and download.

Regarding the song, I knew Les Brown co-wrote the song, but I'm not sure whom he wrote it with, I did know that Doris Day was the bands' lead singer.  I guess I sub-consciously omit certain things that should be elaborated on, but it isn't intentionally, and you also mentioned in the post previous to mine that Les Brown was the co-writer and that Doris Day was the band's lead singer.

I realize that the bands continued after with a new conductor after their leader had passed away, and I had picked up a Christmas LP by Montovani on the "Holiday" label, and had thought that it was an album I didn't have.  I know you know the album I am describing "Christmas Magic" (1980), but if I am correct, it isn't a compilation or reissue of "Original" versions of the songs by Montovani and His Orchestra, but the orchestra doing the album and using his name to make people think it was a new Christmas album.  Most of these albums using the famous orchestra leaders names, don't even contain the original members as in the case of Glenn Miller, the would most likely be all deceased now or to old an frail to play.

I wasn't paying attention to the year on the YouTube video by Glenn Miller because as I mentioned I still had "Rubber Dolly" going through my head.

I agree that that theory of Glenn Miller by that German journalist is a shame. It it basically slanders Glenn's family name and his great legacy.  But we all know even after war, that there is propaganda that comes out and misinformation, to try and stir up controversy.

Thank you for clarifying that they never did recover Glenn Miller's body.

I probably should have left this entire subject alone. but at least we have some "Correct" information from you now.  And I've mentioned I know I may not be 100% accurate being I don't have as much resources and knowledge as you.  I only have what I have picked up over the years including information from you, which has helped me immensely many many times for which I thank you again.

Posted on 04/24/2013 19:25

Chip,

I thought "Sentimental Journey" was recorded by Glenn Miller, and that is why I mentioned "I wasn't 100 % sure", but there were some references online about Glenn Miller doing "Sentimental Journey"  <---Amazon.com MP3 for example is one on many.

This particular listing as well as a few others, didn't mention that it
was "The Glenn Miller Orchestra" after his death.

I was aware that
Doris Day sang the song with Les Brown and His Band of Renown (As I
knew of him), I don't know exactly when he was referred to that way, but
again, I was aware that Doris Day did sing "Sentimental Journey" in 1945.  I wasn't aware of where it charted, being I didn't have access to that information.  I didn't search online recently, but sometime ago, I did write down that Doris Day sang "Sentimental Journey" in 1945, and I also remember watching the movie "Sentimental Journey" (1946) a few times over the years, with John Payne and Maureen O'Hara, before being paired along with Edmund Gwenn for "Miracle on 34th. Street" 1947.  I don't remember what network it was on, but I had recorded "Sentimental Journey" on video tape and watched it at least once a week for the summer a long time ago, but it was one of the video tapes that got destroyed when I had the pipe leaking in the old apartment.  I haven't seen it since and it's been over 20 years now.

I believe I
have a recording of Doris Day singing "Sentimental Journey" on one of my Old time Radio Reel-to-Reel tapes. 
I remember looking at some of the contents that were printed on recipe
sized cards and stuck in the box with the tape and it listed all the
songs or programs that were on that particular tape.

I also have a CD of "Sentimental Journey- Capitol's Great Ladies of Song, Vol. 2"Capitol Records D170336 from 1992,  but Dinah Shore is singing "Sentimental Journey"   There are some great ladies and songs on this CD, and I would love to see what Volume 1 has but right now funds aren't available, though the CD is available on Amazon.com also.  The picture below is from my own scan, but is obviously the same picture in the Amazon link.


As for the contrarian theory about Glenn Miller, I did mention that  I hoped this wasn't true and also that I know that you can't take everything you see in the Internet as being "Gospel Truth"  This theory aside, I don't believe they ever recovered Glenn Millers body or the other people on the plane.

I have mentioned this before, that my knowledge isn't any where near as plentiful as yours and therefore, I an prone to inaccuracies , though unintentional, and I am glad that you are able to set things straight.

I don't have access to all the resources you do, and I believe that I've mentioned before that when I started to really collect records, that I only cared about getting the albums, I wasn't aware about reissues and so on, and also about the producers, album designers etc.

But I would say I am slightly above average in my knowledge, albeit some of it was with your assistance when something isn't accurate, and I am grateful when you correct me, so that others will also have the correct knowledge.

Posted on 04/24/2013 08:24

Chip,

I knew of, pretty much, the other Big Band era artists you mentioned, I just didn't want to list a ton of them, and I couldn't think of most of them at the time because I was trying to thing of Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine", but couldn't get "Rubber Dolly" out of my head and just couldn't remember who else I knew of.

Here is Artie Shaw and His Orchestra's version of this great song from 1938

Getting back to Glenn Miller, isn't he still listed as MIA?  I remember watching "The Glenn Miller Story", (1954) with Jimmy Stewart in the lead role, but also over the years read articles or saw a program on TV and I believe his plane went missing and hasn't been found.  And of course by know, if he did crash and survive, he would be long since deceased.

A couple other favorites of mine by Glenn Miller are "In The Mood" and "Sentimental Journey"  There are others, but too many to list and of course once again we have gotten off-topic.  But that is how it goes sometimes, one thing brings up something else and so on.

I've seen other things online, but you can't believe everything on the Internet as being "Gospel Truth" but there was an article that I saw one time about Glenn Miller not going down in bad weather over The English Channel, but instead he died in Paris in December 1944.  A retired General supposedly came out with the information that "Spies" for Nazi in Eisenhower's Headquarters betrayed Glenn Miller to meet with a member of the Anti-Hitler Forces in Germany to bring an early end to the war.  It also mentioned that l Glenn Miller was found dead in the nude outside a Paris brothel.

I hope this isn't what really happened to the great band leader and that he is MIA somewhere over The English Channel, but I guess we will never know the truth.

Posted on 04/23/2013 13:59

Thanks Chip,

Yes, the 1930's and 1940's Big Band era was such a great period in American Music, a lot of great singers, Male and Female came out of that era.  I may not be 100% accurate, but a few that come to mind are Tony Martin who was married to Cyd Charisse.  Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Dennis Day, Sammy Kaye, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Jim and Tommy Dorsey just to name a few.

I'm surprised that my album is newer than the "Tijuana Christmas" albums, being the design of the back of the jacket seemed to be from the early 1960's, but now at least I know that it was from 1970.

I thank you again.

Posted on 04/23/2013 08:12

Great song Chip!!!!!  Thanks for posting.

While we are on the subject of *Mark 56 Records, I have a Phillips 66 Christmas release Dickens "A Christmas Carol" & Song.  Catalog # 566, I know it came out after "Tijuana Christmas, but not sure if it came before "Tijuana Christmas Volume 2" since I don't know the catalog # for Volume 2.

I had found a listing from *Mark 56 Records online, but it starts in 1968 and I thought it went to the early 1980's, and now I can't find the website, but the "Tijuana Christmas" records and "A Christmas Carol" weren't listed on the website I saw.  As you mentioned, it was mainly vintage radio broadcasts, but I'm sure the website I was on, didn't have the complete "Discography"  I thought I saved the page, but can't seem to find it now.  But in any case, I would guess that my album is from 1968 or 1969.

Posted on 04/22/2013 06:49

Thanks Chip,

So I guess it's "Buyer Beware".  I won't be ordering anything from him even if it is something I've been many many years for until I can find the Vinyl.  Usually I will buy a CD, if it is legally licensed until I can find the original Vinyl, then I will get rid of the CD.  But I won't take a chance on non-licensed/sanctioned record companies.

Posted on 04/21/2013 07:44

Chip,

Being these are CR-Rs, I am curious if he is legally licensed to sell these or not?  I have seen a few things on GEMM.com myself, but I would guess if he was legally licensed to sell these albums,, that they would be on Commercially Produced CD's that are pressed and not burned like CD-Rs.

I have seen other places selling CD-Rs of albums, but they state you need to own the actual vinyl in order to purchase the CD-Rs. 

Posted on 04/19/2013 07:28

I remember back around 1965/1966 that Coca Cola also had a toy truck that was strong enough for a toddler to sit on and ride and to turn, you leaned on the cab on the right to turn right and the left to turn left.  I haven't a clue as to who made the truck.  Also I'm not 100% sure of the year.

Our neighbor who worked for the Coke Bottling Company just down the street from where we lived, had given one to my brother for Christmas.  I would guess that it was at least 24 inches in length, but again, that was a very long time ago and I was just 7 or 8 years old and my brother was 6 or 7.

EDITED  I tried to find the truck I am thinking of, but on eBay from that period, there were a few Tractor Trailers mad by Buddly L, but they were only 4 inches high and 3 1/2 inches wide, and the trailer, you could open and take out little bottles.  So, that isn't the one I am remembering.

It had to be at least 6 - 7 inches wide for a toddler to sit on the trailer, and about 10 inches high, but that is just a guess again, being it was so long ago.

{EDITED by Christmas Always to add more information}

Posted on 04/10/2013 17:25

Thanks Chip, I appreciate it.  As I mentioned, I was and am still in shock and very sad about Annette Funicello's passing, and my thinking wasn't that good.

I was 99% sure that you were familiar with Andy Johns.  I just had this feeling though I can't explain it.  I know that a lot of people only know about the actual groups/singers, but don't know anything about the Producers/Engineers/album cover designers and much more, and I think on the Emmy's, if we watch them, we sometimes see who the writer, producer, musical score, editor etc., are nominated for awards now too, but I'm not sure about the Grammy's.

I don't know a lot, but for my database of my albums, I like to have as much information as possible.

Thanks for clarifying that Andy didn't engineer or produce any Christmas Material.

Posted on 04/10/2013 07:36

Sorry Chip,

I did misunderstand your post.  I guess my mind is still on Annette Funicello's passing, and I wasn't reading things correctly.  I also apologize to other members for any confusion I may have caused.  It wasn't intentional.

Posted on 04/09/2013 19:39

Chip,

I knew there were more movies that weren't Foreign, but in searching Amazon it didn't show many but the 3 movies I mentioned.  Though there are a lot of Classic Movies I like, I don't remember them all and am not anywhere as knowledgeable as you are.  I believe in the news article that it mentioned her being a Foreign Actress and then it mentioned "After limited success in Spain, her career took off in Mexico in the
late 1940s where she featured in successful Spanish language films such
as "Carcel de Mujeres" (Women's Prison)" which was a Spanish language film and filmed in Mexico.

Again, you know more about this area than I do, but I tried to put what I could find in my initial post about her.

Posted on 04/09/2013 19:24

Oh OK, Chip,

I thought it would change when I edited it, but now I remember the post you asked me to edit the topic, I did it a day or so later than when I created the initial post.

Thanks for the explanation.

Posted on 04/09/2013 19:22

Chip,

Thank you for the correction.  I went by the year stated in numerous articles on her passing.  I believe she was an activist for MS Research too.  But I can't say that with certainty.  I do remember when the rumors about her failing health started and she let everyone know that she did have MS.  The press often reports something that is inaccurate, which forces the celebrity to come out with the truth.

I can't believe how many articles have been posted on the Internet about her passing and even on Facebook.  WCBS-FM has been posting things too.

Then members have also been posting or sharing what they have seen posted.

It's still hard to believe she is gone.  I would guess that if she hadn't passed away, that the public wouldn't even remember that she was in a coma for several years.

Posted on 04/09/2013 10:31

Chip,

I started a post about Andy Johns passing, but added a few other people to the post and changed the topic to "More famous people have passed away. but when I come to the Message board, the unread topic shows the original title I created "Producer/Engineer Andy Johns has passed away"

I have looked at it with both Internet Explorer and Firefox and it shows the original topic and then when I click on it, it shows what I changed it to.

I don't know if it is an Aimoo glitch or just the way the message board is set up, but I was able to change the topic title of another post you asked me to change the other day, so I don't know what it wrong.

Posted on 04/09/2013 09:53

I don't know if it is something it the air or what, but Producer/Engineer, Andy Johns has passed away.  He worked with Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen among others.

Chip, I would guess you are familiar with Andy Johns with you being in the industry and all your contacts.

I understand that this isn't Christmas related, but it is with the Recording Industry, and there may have been some Christmas albums he worked on being some Hard Rock Groups did some Christmas songs.  But this is not my area of expertise.

I just can't believe all the recent deaths of Celebrities and other famous people this year alone.  Others have been mentioned in prior posts, but these are just within the last few days.

Former British Prime Minister, Magaret Thatcher passed away.

Spanish Film Star Sara Montiel passed away.  Though she was in several Foreign Films, she was also in other movies, she was in "Serenade" (1956) with Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine, and Vincent Price.  Among her best-known English-language films were "Vera Cruz", a 1954
film that starred Gary Cooper, and 1957 Western "Run of the Arrow",
released as "Yuma" in Spanish, a Sam Fuller movie that also featured
Charles Bronson and Rod Steiger.

I hope there aren't any other Celebrity/Famous people passing away.  It's too much too soon.  And Chip, I apologize that this really isn't Christmas related, but is news worthy.  I would hope other members would remember  Sara Montiel, being there are a few Classic Movie Buff's here.

Posted on 04/09/2013 08:11

I agree, Chip, those were her best songs, and the best of the "Beach" movies.

I had heard on the radio yesterday that she really wasn't well known for her singing, except for the "Beach" movies.

She did "Pineapple Princess" (1960), from the MONO Album "Hawaiiannette" – Vista Records BV-3303, Which peaked at # 38 on The Billboard Charts.  Also, "Pineapple Princess" was the A-side of a 45 and peaked at # 11 on The Billboard Charts in 1960, the B-side was "Luau Cha Cha Cha" – Vista Records 362.

Earlier in 1959 she also sang "Tall Paul" which peaked at #7 on The Billboard Charts and the B-side was "Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me" – Disneyland Records 118.

I would guess that most of us here are old enough to remember the "Beach" movies and the songs/duets that came out of those movies, and that she also appeared in several other movies, not necessarily in a singing capacity.

I also heard on the radio yesterday that she had been in a coma from MS (first diagnosed in 1992) for a several years and that her family was by her side when she was taken off life support.

I apologize if there are any typo's or inaccuracies in this as I am crying while I am typing.  She was a favorite of mine ever since seeing her on The Mickey Mouse Club in Re-Runs when The Disney Channel first started broadcasting.  They were showing the original episodes.  But today's Mickey Mouse Club doesn't come close in comparison to the original.

We will miss  our Dear Annette

Posted on 04/08/2013 15:00

Sadly, Annette Funicello passed away today at the ago of 70.   I tried to find a Christmas Song by her, but apparently, there was this YouTube Video from the Walt Disney Movie "Babes In Toyland.





I wanted to use this video, but it didn't show up under the YouTube icon but it is basically pictures and is probably from the Soundtrack LP and not the movie from which the video clip is from.

Apparently, she had a double-sided recording of 2 Christmas songs:  "(Together We Can Make A) Merry Christmas"/"The Night Before Christmas" – Pacific Star 569 (1981)