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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/16/2009 12:17)
I'd love to see Monty's 1958 "Christmas Carols" album released on CD! Another holiday chestnut that ranks with Percy Faith's "Music of Christmas". This re-release is long overdue! Any chance it could happen for the 2009 holiday season?
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Christmas Music Guru 
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Lawrence F. Arcuri Owner/Webmaster of TheYuleLog.com
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/16/2009 14:31)
Yes Frank, that's what Gordon is shooting for.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/17/2009 07:19)
Chip, I e-mailed Gordon and requested the 2 Mantovani Christmas albums along with the 2 David Rose Christmas albums. I also mentioned some other Christmas albums by George Melanchrino, Andre Kostelanetz (Wonderland of Christmas), Mitch Miller And The Gang (I requested the complete 13 track Christmas Sing Along With Mitch album and not the edited down 10 track out of print CD version) and some other albums. Who knows? Maybe we'll get a few great CD releases from CCM this holiday season like last year.
Finally, Chip, just in case CCM doesn't release Mantovani on CD this year, I had ordered a new copy of the Dutton-Vocalion Mantovani Christmas CD from an Amazon.co.uk merchant in the U.K. I look forward to receiving it in the next couple of weeks.
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/17/2009 15:03)
Thanks Jerry, I hope everyone on this board follows suit and contacts Gordon Anderson. The bottom line here is that it's the power of the people. And in this case, the "people" are us -- the folks who hold dear these great artists and their classic Christmas music. The only way we'll ever see the return of many of these great albums is to keep the pressure on these folks. I can't stress enough how important it is to make our voices heard. Last year's release of the Hollyridge Strings CD is bona fide proof that we can make a difference -- especially the members of this message board. It is the myriad of requests that Gordon Anderson received from our members in particular that encouraged him to reissue it. And now, as a result of our collective effort, this great album is back in print and available to folks all over the country -- and for that matter, with the internet, all over the world!
There are very few record companies who dedicate themselves to LP reissues like Collectors' Choice Music. And what's more, CCM prides itself on its exclusive releases; if it wasn't for them, so many of these great LPs would never have been released on CD. Other great examples of this are the 2 Christmas albums by the New Christy Minstrels, which CCM released as a double CD in 2001.
I hope everyone will be inspired to contact Gordon Anderson. The time is especially critical now that he is considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's Christmas LPs on CD. This is a call to arms, gang -- Let's not fail.
By the way Jerry, in my original list to Gordon last year I had mentioned the Andre Kostelanetz and David Rose LPs. If more folks mention these albums as well, we might get Gordon to bite. As for the Mitch Miller, unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely CCM will get the rights to reissue this album since it is still being printed by Columbia/Sony. But hey, it never hurts to ask!
Thanks again, Jerry, for taking the time to contact Gordon Anderson. For anyone else who'd like to contact him as well -- and I strongly encourage it, here is his email address: gordona@ccmusic.com
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/25/2009 21:23)
Hello Chip,
I just sent Mr. Anderson an email requesting the reissue of these albums on CD. I hope, like you, that he will respond with a resounding "YES!!!".
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/26/2009 02:17)
Thanks Armando for sending an email to Gordon Anderson; I knew I could count on you, buddy.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:07/30/2009 21:04)
Just a quick update to let everyone know that Gordon has submitted his request to UMG for the Mantovani LPs and is awaiting their reply; let's keep our fingers crossed.
As soon as I know anything, I'll post it here on this thread.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/04/2009 03:19)
Important update: Gordon Anderson (Sr. VP/GM of Collectors' Choice Music) sent me an email asking for detailed information on the 1958 Stereo release of Mantovani's Christmas Carols LP. I'm very glad he asked, because there is a slight difference in the track listing between the 1953 Mono LP and the re-recorded 1958 Stereo LP. Now that he knows the difference, it will insure that he doesn't get stuck with the 1953 Mono master.
Collectors' Choice Music is currently negotiating with UMG to release the album by itself as a single CD. I had told Gordon in a previous email that if they did pursue Monty's Christmas Carols LP, to go for the 1958 Stereo recording, as it is superior to the 1953 Mono recording both technologically and artistically, and I am extremely happy that he heeded my advice.
I also told him that if they did manage to land this deal with UMG, it will be the first ever complete release on CD of the 1958 Stereo recording of Monty's Christmas Carols LP, which would be quite a coup for CCM!
Lastly, I let him know that a big part of the charm of these classic Christmas LPs is the original album artwork. So, in my reply email, I included a picture of the original London Records album cover and told him that I hoped UMG will give them permission to use it.
This album is very important to me: after 36 years of collecting, it has the high honor of being in the Top 10 of my "Top Play" (the greatest 300 Christmas albums in my entire collection). Mantovani is one of the precious few all-time great mega superstars of Christmas music. In fact, he is second only to the King of Christmas music, the great Percy Faith.
When it comes to instrumental Christmas music, Number 1 is Percy Faith, a close Number 2 is Mantovani, and everybody else follows far behind. That's just the way it is, folks.
By the way, I previously talked about the difference between the 1953 Mono recording and the 1958 Stereo recording of Monty's Christmas Carols LP on the message board. For those who don't recall, here's an excerpt from a post that I filed on September 1, 2006:
The only major difference between the original 1953 Mono version and the later 1958 Stereo version of Mantovani's Christmas Carols LP, is that on Side one of the 1953 version The First Noel is the first song and Adeste Fideles is the last song; on the 1958 version it's just the opposite: Adeste Fideles is the first song and The First Noel is the last song -- and I couldn't agree with that change more. When I was a kid in the 1960's (already a Christmas music junkie) and I'd listen to my mother's original Mono recording of this album that she had bought in the early 1950s, I always thought to myself how great it would have been if they had reversed the order of these two songs -- never realizing that when the 1958 Stereo version was recorded and released several years later (after she had bought her original Mono copy) they did exactly just that!
If you are not familiar with Monty's great version of Adeste Fideles, you will not be able to understand why it was so appropriate for them to make this change and start the album this way. The song was a paradigmatic example of his great signature sound: his technique of cascading, soaring and especially tumbling violins. It literally brings tears to your eyes. As for his version of The First Noel, Monty's arrangement for this song made it a perfect song to complete Side one of the album, again it was quintessential Mantovani.
Mantovani's music brilliantly reflected something his father taught him as a child: he said to him, "Put feeling into your music, my boy -- music without feeling is little more than a noise." Well, as a result of his unequivocal success, we are now left with a legacy of a lot of great music with a hell of a lot of feeling.
Mantovani ranks second, only to Percy Faith, in producing the greatest instrumental Christmas music ever recorded. In fact, in the original "classic" 3-hour presentation of the Yule Log, when most artists were represented by 1 or 2 songs, he had an impressive 4 songs. This was again, second only to the master, Percy Faith, who had an astounding and unprecedented 10 songs -- and deservedly so, I might add.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/07/2009 23:23)
Hello Chip, This is very encouraging news! Let's all continue sending in those emails and keep our fingers crossed. Just to update everybody, I sent Mr. Anderson an email on July 25, 2009. I asked that he consider releasing Monty's 1958 Christmas Carols and the 1963 LP Christmas Greetings from Montovani. I also asked that he consider Kostelanetz' Wonderland of Christmas. He replied two days later. Here it is:
Armando—thanks for the suggestions!
Gordon Let's keep our fingers crossed and keep it up! Chip, thanks for all you do!!
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/08/2009 03:05)
Thanks Armando, for sharing your response from Gordon Anderson; I appreciate it.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/10/2009 05:38)
You're very welcome Chip. Please keep doing what you do. It is very much appreciated!! 
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/23/2009 16:21)
I have just e-mailed Gordon Anderson at CC Music regarding the reissue of the two Mantovani Christmas classics. Last year, the Percy Faith "Music of Christmas" made its way back to my home. I hope that the two Mantovani masterpieces, "Christmas Carols" (1958 version) and "Christmas Greetings from Mantovani" (1963) can do likewise this year.
Thanks again Chip for everything! I'm glad to lend some help!
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:08/23/2009 19:32)
Thanks Frank, for contacting Gordon; I appreciate it.
As soon as I hear from Gordon as to how he made out with Universal Music regarding the Mantovani release, I'll let everyone know.
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Andy, thanks for making Christmas special
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/05/2009 21:18)
I plan on pestering Gordon to also remaster and release Percy Faith's "Music of Christmas", David Rose's Christmas LP (that has "The Christmas Tree" song on it), Glen Campbell's "That Christmas Feeling" and Mantovani's Xmas LP (one of the best selling LP's in the day).
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/06/2009 04:51)
Good choices, John. And yes, as you say, Mantovani's Christmas album, Christmas Carols, was one of the best selling LPs in the day; but for the record, I must point out that it was eclipsed by Percy Faith's Music Of Christmas. And unlike Mantovani's LP, Mr. Faith's LP has never been out of print since its original release half a century ago, and it has sold far more copies.
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/18/2009 13:29)
I heartily applaud Chip's attempts to get CCM to release Mantovani's first Christmas album. I have found from my own experience that even just one voice can make a difference. Case in point:
When I was a small child my favorite Christmas album was Robert Rheims' Merry Christmas in Carols, an organ and chimes record that was released in 1959 and subsequently reissued on many budget labels up until the 1980s. In 2002 I was desperate to get this album released on CD, so I contacted a number of reissue companies including Collectors' Choice Music, Collectables, Taragon, and finally the Good Music Company whose interest I had piqued. A gentleman there by the name of Bob Morgan tracked down the album's final resting place--EMI (Capitol Records). He requested a listening copy, liked what he heard, and had EMI hunt for the master tapes to prepare a September release that year. Then the bad news hit: at the last minute EMI's lawyers discovered that their rights had expired and had reverted to the Rheims family. The family declined to grant permission, probably feeling that there wasn't much of a market anymore for organ and chimes music. I had no other recourse than to find a fresh copy of the record and have it transferred to CD.
Despite the set back, the point is this: ONE PERSON got a record company to move! Don't hesitate to call, write, and e-mail companies to release the precious musical treasures they have stashed away, possibly never to see the light of day again unless we ask for them. I'm being optimistic that CCM will be successful in its negotiations with Universal. Here's hoping that in a month or two we'll all be listening to the very beautiful Christmas music of the original Mantovani Orchestra in its remastered glory!
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/18/2009 17:38)
Way to go, Tommy; that's the right attitude. 
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/21/2009 20:41)
That's a great story. I wonder why the Rheims family wouldn't give permission. Did you ever follow up with them? You would think they would be ok with their father's work getting a rebirth of sorts.
As for the Mantovani cd, I hope Gordon had a backup plan in case UMG doesn't come through on this. End of September is coming up rapidly..
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/21/2009 21:13)
No backup plan Justin, either it happens or it doesn't. I'll keep everyone posted.
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Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
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Get2Me
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/23/2009 00:00)
No back up plan? That is distressing news, indeed, since CCM seems to reissue two Christmas/holiday albums per year and if there's no Mantovani then all we have to look forward to is the King Family LP on CD from CCM for 2009. I always anticipate their seasonal releases - over the years, CCM has rescued some amazing gems from death by neglect in a vault. By the way, that Robert Rheims' Merry Christmas in Carols organ and chimes album sounds right up my alley. I wonder if I can find a vinyl copy somewhere. I'd love to hear it!  Peace, Peter
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/23/2009 19:25)
Peter, you can get the Robert Rheims' Merry Christmas in Carols on eBay pratically anytime. He recorded three Christmas albums, with the other two having studio singers and unbelievably bad arrangements. His instrumental album, however, is the loveliest of this type I've ever heard. Mr. Rheims plays a Wurlitzer pipe organ with each pipe chamber as well as the cathedral chimes separately miked. The result is a beautiful, ringing tone that sounds like real bells instead of electronic effects. Gorgeous!
Just so you won'te get this album mixed up with his others, the songs are O Holy Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, From Every Spire on Christmas Eve, The First Noel, Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, The Christmas Chimes Are Pealing, Away in a Manger, I Saw Three Ships, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Good King Wenceslas, Angels We Have Heard on High, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, O Christmas Tree, We Three Kings, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, and Adeste Fideles.
You can order an album on line or have a CD made. I ordered my CD ready-made from Vinyl Revolution.com, which specializes in LP to CD transfers. It was made from a double album (one of which has the horrific arrangements mentioned above). You'll probably get a better pressing made on better vinyl if you buy a copy on the Rheims/Liberty/Choreims label (they were often pressed in red see-through material), Liberty Sunset, or United Artists labels. After these labels were history, the album was released on Mistletoe and other budget labels where quality vinyl was generally used.
Tom
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xmaslover1960
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/25/2009 12:56)
I love "Monty"'s Christmas Lp's! I have the 1977 London/Polygram Cassette "Mantovani's Christmas Favorites,Vol.1",which only means a Reissue of his First Christmas Lp,Re-Titled by the new company,plain and simplely put..I never got "Vol.2" Which was the '60's follow-up Lp..My cassette copy's getting badly worn,so,this would nicely replace it! Can't wait to see if Gordon follows-up on this..It'll be nice to own again! THANX,Chip,for suggesting these now Hard-To-Get Lp's! Michael Boyce
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Michael Boyce
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RE:CCM considering my suggestion to release Mantovani's LPs
(Date Posted:09/26/2009 00:59)
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