Member of: Help Forum, The Yule Log.com Message Board

Posted on 01/18/2011 18:03

As always, thanks Chip.

You have both answered my question and strengthened my conviction that the album in question is worth owning, in any form.

Regarding the availability of stereo recordings before 1957, I am always a bit thrown by the fact that RCA Living Stereo LPs were pressed as early as '54--but I believe these were exclusively classical. Your info on the Westrex system clears that up for me.

Once again, let me say what a wonderful resource this board is for collectors as well as for those like me who listened to and watched the Log in the late 70s, early 80s, and never dreamed he could someday own--in ANY form--so many of the records I heard and loved on the broadcast--if only because, before TheYuleLog.com, I'm not sure that any complete listing existed anywhere of all the tracks played.

That not only a listing is available but that such a forum like this one exists, I consider nothing short of a blessing. One I give thanks for every year :)

John

Posted on 01/16/2011 15:34

I am strongly considering a purchase of this LP on eBay. The cover alone--even if the vinyl is in far-from-mint shape--would make a wonderful contribution to my annual display of holiday album covers.

Of course I hope the record itself is at least listenable...and I am wondering whether it was a monaural-only release. I'm about 99% sure it was; but 1956 is a tricky year since stereo technology did, of course, exist. I just want to be sure I'm not potentially missing out on a stereo release of this record.

And yes, I know it isn't the same league as The David Rose Christmas Album, but that one is obviously far rarer and commands far steeper price--and cannot boast as fine (in my opinion) a cover.

John

Posted on 01/06/2011 17:10

Thanks, Chip, for the detailed reply to my inquiry.

I had hoped that the versions were different, since I have considered purchasing both LPs. (And probably on vinyl-- the cover of Wonderland is too great not to have full size, great for display at the holiday season.)

John

Posted on 01/05/2011 18:11

I note that there is a good deal of "cross-over" of titles on the two Kosty albums (Joy to the World and Wonderland of Christmas)... before investing in either, I would like to know whether the versions of a given title (ex: "White Christmas" are the same on both LPs? Or did Mr. K re-record certain titles for Wonderland  ?

Thanks.
John

Posted on 01/04/2011 10:17

Finally, during the dawning hour of the New Year, I completed my mix tape for 2010. Here are the contents:

SIDE A

1.  MEDLEY: We Wish You A Merry Christmas / We Three Kings / It Came Upon A Midnight Clear /
     O Holy Night / Silent Night - The Living Strings

2.  White Christmas - Roger Williams

3.  Christmas Is - Percy Faith

4.  Sleigh Ride - The Ray Conniff Singers

5.  The Holly And The Ivy - The Norman Luboff Choir

6.  Caroling, Caroling - Nat King Cole

7.  MEDLEY: Winter Wonderland / Silver Bells - Henry Mancini

8.  Silent Night - Dinah Shore

9.  Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Ray Conniff Singers

10. The Little Drummer Boy - The Norman Luboff Choir

11. MEDLEY: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Deck The Halls / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing -
     Henry Mancini

12. White Christmas - Andy Williams

13. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Jo Stafford

14. Good Christian Men, Rejoice - Percy Faith

15. O Holy Night - Nat King Cole

16. Carol For Another Christmas - Henry Mancini

 

SIDE B

1.  A Christmas Festival (MEDLEY) - Arthur Fiedler / The Boston Pops Orchestra

2.  Coventry Carol - The Norman Luboff Choir

3.  The Wassail Song - The Norman Luboff Choir

4.  Wintertime And Christmastime - John Gary

5.  Joy To The World - Andre Kostelanetz

6.  Angels We Have Heard On High - Percy Faith

7.  Deck The Halls - Ed Ames

8.  Silver Bells - The Ray Conniff Singers

9.  The First Noel - Roger Williams

10. MEDLEY: Joy To The World / O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Norman Luboff Choir

11. What Child Is This - The Ray Conniff Singers

12. Silver Bells - The Living Strings

13. O Come, All Ye Faithful - Ed Ames

14. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers - Arthur Fiedler / The Boston Pops Orchestra

15. Do You Hear What I Hear - Bing Crosby

16. White Christmas - Henry Mancini

I am already, of course, in planning stages for 2011's :)

 

Posted on 12/02/2010 11:18

Chip,

Thank you for your detailed posts in reply to my initial inquiry.

So, I gather that the billing on the tracks appearing on the LP compilations as "Melachrino Strings" has to do with the fact that Mr. Melachrino had passed away, and the producers (or whoever) felt that crediting a deceased man with the tracks might be a source of confusion for some? Also that the body of musicians formerly under his direction was at the time contemporarily appearing on other LPs released on RCA as Melachrino Strings?

I'm trying to be as certain as possible that, in obtaining certain compilations, I would be hearing the same tracks as appeared on Mr. M's Christmas Joy. The compilation LPs are going for a song compared to stereo versions of the LP on eBay. And until I hear tracks from CJ itself (which I hope to be able to afford next holiday season), I have nothing for comparison.

Thanks again.
John

Posted on 11/18/2010 18:07

My thanks both to Chip for the info and to Mike for further facts on George Melachrino's Christmas discography.

I really must save my money for a copy of Christmas Joy next year. I shall obtain it on LP if only to have the wonderful cover artwork full size, and transfer it to CD for the full listening experience. I'm afraid I have spent my allowance on all the Christmas music I can afford this season already :)

Posted on 11/18/2010 18:04

Thanks to both King and Guru :)

Even since earlier posting this today, I've grown more certain that it means you can't go back. It's perhaps understandable that as a youngster I didn't pick up on that meaning, but I don't know why it's taken me so long to realize that it's a wistful lyric, a longing one that is, finally, more meaningful and touching that way.

Few if any versions I've ever heard include anything but the familiar chorus. I really listened to the verse (of the portion contained in her version) since hearing the achingly lovely Doris Day version, which will seem even more achingly lovely than ever, now that I hear the true meaning conveyed in the lyric.

Not that I am completely convinced that you can't go back, at least in the imagination. But then isn't imagination what that world was always based on? 

Posted on 11/18/2010 10:06

For decades, hearing the lyric in the song "Toyland", I had always heard the line "Once you pass its borders,/You may ne'er return again" as meaning that, once in Toyland, you would enjoy it so much that you would wish never to leave.

But last year, for the first time, I realized that it could be interpreted as meaning that once you have grown and left it, you could never go back, i.e. never return to the land of innocence and childhood, and the lyric thereby becomes much, much sadder. The verse to the song ("When you've grown up, my dears...") seems strongly to support this reading.

I would like to know whether anyone has considered what it means, and how he or she has interpreted that line in particular. Perhaps it has been obvious to everyone but me all these years, and I've resisted because I couldn't accept what the more sad interpretation means.

Thoughts, anybody?

Posted on 11/18/2010 09:58

I have noticed that on a number of LP compilations ("Special Products" released by BF Goodrich, for example) containing selections from RCA artists, there are titles ("White Christmas" among them) credited to 'Melachrino and Strings'. Are these  from the Melachrino album Christmas Joy, or were they recorded by a different body under Mr. Melachrino?

Posted on 10/27/2010 15:23

There seem to have been Jack Jones Christmas LPs released on Kapp, MCA, and RCA labels. And there seem to be a couple of versions of cover art for at least one of them. So how many separate Christmas albums did Jack Jones officially record?

Thanks
John

Posted on 10/26/2010 17:56

Did both the Monophonic and the Stereophonic releases of this album bear the same cover art?

And were there both Mono/Stereo releases of the second version? (Hope that question makes sense.)

Thanks
John

Posted on 01/29/2010 09:34

Or, if it's too difficult to pick just one, list your top 3-5.

I think my number one spot would go to the original artwork for Percy Faith's Music of Christmas (1954), with the little girl clutching the dolly and drowsing next to Dad dressed as Santa. (I'm a sucker for sentiment, what can I say? :D)

I also very much like Leroy Anderson's Christmas Carols (yes, the white kitten cover).

George Melachrino's Christmas Joy would probably round out my top 3. 

Posted on 01/29/2010 09:23

I thank you once again, good sir :)

Actually my options may be wider since I am willing to purchase LPs which may be out of print. The technology to transfer LPs to CD-R has been a personal boon to me and my LP collection.

You have given me a great start on collecting the best of Mr. Faith's non-Christmas albums, Chip. thanks again !

John

Posted on 01/28/2010 09:23

Which 2 or 3 of Percy Faith's non-holiday music LP's are most worth my checking out?

I should add that I do have a certain weakness for string based arrangements of popular standards and movie songs of the 50s and 60s.

Posted on 01/08/2010 17:01

It is possibly a mistake, because I too have purchased from this seller before and I certainly did NOT pay $1000 for the item... and because all of his/her other items up for bid are indeed selling for the same price, including the VHS copy of "Jim Henson's Muppet Family Christmas" :D

Posted on 01/07/2010 09:10

Joseph, I'm afraid my means of doing LP > CD transfers is downright prehistoric compared with yours :)

The ones I've made so far, mainly of classical, pop vocal, and Christmas music, are bass-shy and would probably make you wince at their sonic deficiencies. Nonetheless, the sound is bright and clear and pleases my non-audiophile ears, and I'm nothing short of ecstatic to have the chance to hear music I've not been able to in many years.  Of course, I own dozens of CDs but nothing beats vinyl in the end.

Anyway, yes I find myself already in planning stages for next Christmas. Hope to touch base with you as 2010 wears on and we approach next December. Happy New Year!

Posted on 01/07/2010 08:55

There are two copies of this album up for auction at eBay at the moment.

One is going for $1,000, the other for $5.99. Both are listed as being in VG condition.

Hmmm... let's see, I can plan on sending just one of my kids to college, OR enjoy a classic Christmas LP for about the price of a McDonald's happy meal (exclusive of shipping cost).

More decisions to make :D

Posted on 01/05/2010 08:25

Well it looks as if John Gary and Jack Jones it shall probably be.

Actually that works out well, for, although there is something about vinyl LPs I can't resist--the immediacy of the sound, the large scale artwork on the sleeves, even the occasional snap crackle pop--the Goulet album (Wonderful World of Christmas) is readily available on CD through my local library system and am content to have the selections available to me in that form.

I'm gratified not only for your reply but that the Jones album is included in your first tier. I find him to be a reliable interpreter of standards and have actually ordered a couple of his LPs recently just to have his readings of a few classic tunes. I am now looking even more forward to his Christmas LP knowing you hold it in fairly high regard.

Posted on 01/04/2010 16:46

Well, I am already planning my mix tape for next year... and I would like to include some less familiar (in comparison with Cole, Como, Crosby, Mathis, and Sinatra, at least) male vocal renditions (nothing against the ladies, I shall be considering them soon as well).

I am considering Christmas LPs by the following:

Jack Jones (Kapp)
Ed Ames
Al Martino
Robert Goulet (2nd album)
John Gary

Which two of these should I purchase? I've heard 4-5 cuts from the Goulet and 3 from the Ed Ames. I like Jack Jones in standards, generally. I am borrowing a CD from my local library, The Essential John Gary, tonight.

Anyone with an opinion, in addition to the Guru, is invited to reply. I know that ultimately I shall have to make up my own mind but others' views on these singers' efforts would be appreciated, and taken into consideration...thanks!!!