Danny Thomas - An Evening with Danny Thomas (196?)

Here's an album in my "celebrity vocal" category that I've had for quite awhile but just got around to digitizing. I couldn't find the release year on this one and my celebrity vocals book just says "196?", so that's all I know. There was an earlier 10" version of this album released in 1954 on MGM, but this is a 12" later release on Columbia which was a promotion by Post Cereals. Danny Thomas sings the songs, music is by the Spencer-Hagen Orchestra featuring Walter Popp at the piano, and Danny's TV family (Marjorie Lord, Rusty Hamer, and Angela Cartwright) are all on hand. I never saw "Make Room for Daddy" (the name of the show the first three years) or "The Danny Thomas Show", so I'm not familiar with any of the characters, but I know that Marjorie was "Kathy", Rusty was "Russ", and Angela was "Linda". So, I'm wondering who is the "Terry" that speaks at the beginning of "Daddy's Little Girl" - is it Danny's real-life daughter, Terry? And if it is, then why didn't Marlo participate in this record? Gosh, I hope these questions don't make me lose sleep tonight (because I'm the kind of person that would). Hope you like it!

Track listing for An Evening with Danny Thomas:

Side 1:
1. Danny Thomas Theme and My Blue Heaven - has a skip in it
2. Linda's Wedding Day
3. It All Depends on You
4. Daddy's Little Girl
5. But Beautiful
6. When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along

Side 2:
1. Glory of Love
2. September Song
3. My Funny Valentine - has a skip in it
4. You Make Me Feel So Young
5. Violets for Your Furs
6. Scarlet Ribbons
7. Love In A Home

The Serendipity Singers - The Many Sides of the Serendipity Singers (1964)

I love the Serendipity Singers and this album! What fun it is! I just really like choral groups and this type of folk music. The melodies and harmonies are great, and the songs are just fun. I have three favorites on this album - "Let Me Fly", "Beans In My Ears", and "Movin' In My Heart". I think I really like that third one because the Osmonds performed it in a medley on their live album back in the 1970s (I had not heard that song until they performed it). All the songs are great and I think you'll enjoy this album! Plus - how can you not like an album with a banjo???

Track listing for The Many Sides of the Serendipity Singers:

Side 1:
1. Let Me Fly (Zion)
2. Beans In My Ears
3. Soon It's Gonna Rain
4. Mill Girls Don't Sing or Dance
5. Look Away Over Yondro
6. The New Frankie and Johnny Song

Side 2:
1. You Don't Know
2. Down Where the Winds Blow
3. Movin' In My Heart
4. Six Foot Six
5. Hi-Lili-Hi-Lo
6. Fast Freight

Here's a vintage clip of The Serendipity Singers on Hollywood-A-Go-Go:

Nelson Riddle - Sing a Song With Riddle (1959)

Here's a treat for those of you who like karaoke. This album by Nelson Riddle has the background music for several hit songs from back in the day, and all it needs is your voice to sing along! The album itself even has the sheet music and lyrics for each of the songs. I tried to sing along but the songs are all in keys that are a little high for me (my vocal range is more like Diana Krall's), but maybe y'all will have better luck. I bought this many years ago and it's the hi-fi version. So, if anyone has the stereo version, I would love it if you shared it! I absolutely love Nelson Riddle!

Track listing for Sing a Song With Riddle:

Side 1:
1. Little White Lies
2. Darn That Dream
3. Near You
4. Day In-Day Out
5. The More I See You
6. My Baby Just Cares for Me

Side 2:
1. Everywhere You Go
2. I Had the Craziest Dream
3. Fools Rush In
4. You Make Me Feel So Young
5. It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
6. You're Driving Me Crazy

Patti Page - Patti Page's Greatest Hits (1966)

I love the Singing Rage, Miss Patti Page! "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" was one of my favorite songs growing up. I've shared a couple of other records by Patti Page, so I'll try to not repeat myself as to what I say here. I generally stay away from greatest hits albums if I have all or most of the artist's albums. Usually I only buy them if I just want the most well-known songs by an artist. When I bought this album, I didn't have any other Patti Page records, so it was fine to have this one. But for those of you who are familiar with her recordings, you'll notice that these songs don't sound like the songs you've heard so many times. That's because Patti re-recorded them for this album, which is on the Columbia label (she was on the Mercury label when she had all those hits). Maybe Columbia just wanted a new "take" on the songs, since the arrangements are all different. "Tennessee Waltz" is quite different, so you may or may not like it. "Old Cape Cod" is my favorite (besides "Doggie"), and I like this version fine.

Track listing for Patti Page's Greatest Hits:

Side 1:
1. Mockin' Bird Hill
2. (How Much is That) Doggie in the Window
3. Cross Over the Bridge
4. Detour
5. Mister and Mississippi
6. Old Cape Cod

Side 2:
1. I Went to Your Wedding
2. Tennessee Waltz
3. With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming
4. Changing Partners
5. Allegheny Moon

Eddie Osborn - Fabulous Eddie, Vol. 2, at the Replica Wurlitzer

I love organ music so when I saw this album last year I went ahead and bought it. I thought the artwork was pretty cute, too. Well, it's not exactly the kind of organ music I like (I was expecting more loungey stuff), but it's certainly very nostalgic. When I listen to it, I feel like I'm at a baseball game and someone should be coming around to sell me some peanuts. Or, that I should be at an old-time theatre watching a silent movie. It's that kind of organ music. Still, the history of the Replica Wurlitzer is quite interesting, and you can read about it here. You can see a cool picture of the organ on that page - very impressive. I couldn't find a release date on this record, but by reading about the Replica Wurlitzer ("made" around 1955) and that Replica Records was liquidated in the late 1950s, I'm guessing that this album was made in the late 1950s.

Track listing for Fabulous Eddie, Vol. 2, at the Replica Wurlitzer:

Side 1:
1. McNamera's Band March
2. Medley: September Song and September in the Rain
3. Sleepy Lagoon
4. Oh, You Beautiful Doll
5. In A Little Spanish Town
6. Five Foot Two
7. Pop Goes the Weasel

Side 2:
1. Waiting for the Robert E. Lee
2. You're the Cream in My Coffee
3. It All Depends on You
4. Moonglow
5. Smiles Medley
6. Toot, Toot, Tootsie
7. Tuxedo Junction

The Main St. Singers - Takin' the Shade

I couldn't resist buying this album the other day at the little resale shop down the street - and I love it! I think it was the groovy outfits that they're all wearing - so 1970s! And those aren't really tuxes - they're jumpsuits over the ruffly tuxedo shirts. I remember that my dance instructors would wear outfits like that at my ballroom dance competitions. Not very flattering. I've never heard of this group and I think it was probably a group that played local hotels (label says Sacramento) and cruises (it says they composed "Greek Odyssey" for a European cruise). It says on the back that they recorded this album "for all their fans and friends". Oh, another big reason I bought this is that all the singers and musicians autographed the album on the back! Hey, this may be worth big bucks! There is no release year on this, but by the stylish outfits, I'm guessing early to mid 1970s. For those of you who are dying to know who these people are, they are: Betty Speegle, Lynn Elder, Robert Speegle, Fernando Rio, Rick Elder, Ted Skorman, Rich Leppanen, Don "Mult" Jones, and Scott Wilcox. (I think I have a crush on the guy standing under the tree between the two girls - wonder whatever happened to him.) You've heard all these songs, except for the two written by one of the members of the group and unfortunately, several of the songs have some skips. So, if anyone out there is lucky enough to have a copy of this record and it doesn't skip, please do share! :-) BTW, if anyone has any information on any of these musicians, I would love an update!

Track listing for Takin' the Shade with the Main St. Singers:

Side 1:
1. You've Got a Friend - Solos by Rick Elder and Lynn Elder (has a skip or two)
2. Easy Come, Easy Go - Solo by Robert Speegle
3. Yours - Solo by Fernando Rio
4. Have You Met "Mult" Jones - Trombone solos by Don "Mult" Jones
5. Impossible Dream - Solo by Rick Elder

Side 2:
1. For the Good Times - Solo by Rick Elder (has several skips)
2. Super Star - Trombone solo by Don Jones
3. Mama Gets High - Solo by Robert Speegle (has a skip or two)
4. Greek Odyssey
5. Tradition
6. Sabbeth Prayer (has a skip or two)

Herbie Lane & His Orchestra - Music to Remember You By (1955)

I don't know what it is about the budget labels, but I just love buying the albums on those old budget labels! Most of the time, I find that the covers were just much more fun. You could almost always count on a pretty girl on the cover (the "cheesecake" covers), as this album illustrates, although this one is probably less "cheesecake" than others. This particular album is by Herbie Lane, with whom I am not familiar at all. But it's a pleasant enough record with all familiar pop standards. I think it was worth the 50 cents or $1 that I paid for it. :-)

Track listing for Herbie Lane - Music to Remember You By:

Side 1:
1. The Song Is You
2. Lisbon Antigua
3. Just One of Those Things
4. You Go to My Head
5. The Theme from Picnic
6. Moonlight Serenade

Side 2:
1. Yesterdays
2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
3. Autumn Leaves
4. The Nearness of You
5. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

Wayne King - Our Language of Love (1965)

If you like to ballroom dance, or would like to learn how, then any album by Wayne King should be in your collection. It seems that his albums were made for just that. I remember dancing to many songs by Wayne King when I was learning how to ballroom dance. Plus, every Friday we would have a dance for all the students, and the Wayne King songs were very popular. Not only are the songs familiar and pleasant, but the rhythm is very easy to dance to for beginners. This particular album has mostly fox trots, several waltzes, and a beguine (don't know what that is - didn't learn that one). So put on your dancing shoes and dance to the music of Wayne King!

Track listing for Wayne King - Our Language of Love:

Side 1:
1. Dear Heart - Waltz
2. Among My Souvenirs - Fox Trot
3. Our Language of Love - Beguine
4. Whispering - Fox Trot
5. San Antonio Rose - Fox Trot
6. Everybody Loves Somebody - Fox Trot

Side 2:
1. Emily - Waltz
2. Margie - Fox Trot
3. Embassy Waltz - Waltz
4. People - Fox Trot
5. Twelfth Street Rag - Fox Trot
6. Lazy River - Fox Trot

Jon Hall - Jon Hall Brings Music from Hawaii

Here's another album from my Hawaiian category and celebrity category. It's in my celebrity category because Jon Hall was an actor - he starred in "The Hurricane" with Dorothy Lamour, and in the TV series, "Ramar of the Jungle". And it's obvious why it's in my Hawaiian category. Well, Jon Hall does not sing on this album. According to the liner notes, he went into a Hawaiian village pub, set up his own recording equipment, and recorded "a genuine Hawaiian Mardi Gras". So, it's a "live" album, but there's no credit given to the musicians anywhere on the record. It's also not like the other Hawaiian albums I have - it doesn't have the usual, typical songs on it. This one still has to grow on me - the jury is still out on this one. Oh, and I couldn't find a release date on this album.

Track listing for Jon Hall Brings Music from Hawaii:

Side 1:
1. Sweet Leilani (a skip at the end of the song)
2. Minoi Minoi E
3. Fish and Poi
4. Hawaiian Hospitality

Side 2:
1. My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii
2. Hula O Maki
3. Que Linda
4. Tematangi

Jackie Gleason - Music to Change Her Mind (1956)

Here's another of my Jackie Gleason albums. As always, it's very pleasing mood music and the songs are all familiar. Add Bobby Hackett on trumpet and you can't miss. Enjoy!

Track listing for Jackie Gleason - Music to Change Her Mind:

Side 1:
1. You've Changed
2. Coquette
3. Did I Remember
4. Guilty
5. It's the Talk of the Town
6. My Sin
7. It Was So Beautiful
8. You're My Greatest Love

Side 2:
1. She's Funny That Way
2. All By Myself
3. I'm Glad There is You
4. You and the Night and the Music
5. Dancing In the Dark
6. You Call It Madness
7. Take Me In Your Arms

The Fantastic Strings of Felix Slatkin - Paradise Found (1960)

It's cold here in Dallas and I just don't do well in cold weather (my hats off to those of you who live in really cold climates!). So, in order to make it a little more tolerable, I chose this lovely album of Hawaiian music. Ah, if only to be relaxing on a white sandy beach in Hawaii, listening to the roar of the waves, watching the surfers and sipping on a cold drink while someone plays the ukelele nearby... sigh. See? I feel warmer already!

Well, I found this little gem sometime late last year at the little resale shop down the street. Anytime I see a cover that says "Hawaii", I have to buy the record. I don't care if it's someone I never heard of, or if it's the same songs over and over again. I just have to have it! So, this cover definitely called to me, especially the cut-out and the pages inside. Unfortunately, the inside pages had some water damage and were stuck together, and when I went to pull them apart, they tore, even though I was doing it ever so slowly and carefully. :-( But, the record itself was in excellent condition and thoroughly enjoyable! Oh, and it was recorded in Hawaii!

Track listing for The Fantastic Strings of Felix Slatkin - Paradise Found:

Side 1:
1. Moon of Manakoora
2. My Little Grass Shack
3. My Isle of Golden Dreams
4. Hawaiian Wedding Song
5. The Hukilau Song
6. To You Sweetheart, Aloha

Side 2:
1. Sweet Leilani
2. Little Brown Gal
3. Paradise Found
4. Hiilawe
5. Beyond the Reef
6. Aloha Oe

Vincent Edwards - Sings (1962)

Here's a record from my celebrity genre, which I found in the HPB bargain bin for only 50 cents. Vince Edwards recorded this during the height of his "Ben Casey" fame. I never saw the show, and I really don't remember Vince Edwards, although I'm sure I've seen him in some old movies or as a guest star on a TV show. Based on his dark rugged looks, I expected his voice to be deep, low, and maybe gruff; I did not expect to hear a tenor. And I think I read someplace that he was discovered by Bing Crosby. All in all, a pleasant record full of the familiar standards. Hmmm... I just realized that I've posted records by several TV doctors - Richard Chamberlain (Young Dr. Kildare), Chad Everett (Medical Center), and now Vince Edwards. I have to say that my favorite is Chad Everett (since he's the only one of the three I remember), but my favorite TV doctor of all time was... Marcus Welby! Too bad Robert Young didn't record an album.

Track listing for Vincent Edwards - Sings:

Side 1:
1. I'll Walk Alone
2. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
3. When I Fall In Love
4. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
5. Try a Little Tenderness
6. How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)

Side 2:
1. Lonesome Road
2. Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)
3. As Time Goes By
4. And Now
5. Unchained Melody
6. Everybody's Got a Home But Me

Cliff Deegan and His Western Riders - Cowboy Favorites

I love, love, LOVE this album cover! That is really the main reason I bought this album. I want a cowgirl outfit like the girl on the cover! I'm planning a dude ranch vacation this year and I think an outfit like that would make me very popular - maybe even catch me a rugged cowboy! I didn't really expect much from the album itself - figured it was just one of those low-budget so-so records. But I really enjoyed it and found myself singing along with the songs I knew. Unfortunately, the song I was really looking forward to hearing has some skips ("Pistol Packin' Mama"), but "A Cowboy Has to Sing" and "El Rancho Grande" make up for it. After listening to "A Cowboy Has to Sing", I just want to yodel. (Anyone have some good yodeling records to share?) And since I speak Spanish fluently and know the words to "El Rancho Grande", listening to this version just cracks me up. Oh, I couldn't find a release date on this, but I'm figuring late 1950s or early 1960s. Gosh, I just can't get enough of that cover! It is definitely going up on my wall - LOVE it! So, I hope you get as much enjoyment from this as I did! (BTW, if anyone can give me some recommendations of some good dude ranches, I'd appreciate it!)

Track listing for Cliff Deegan and His Western Riders - Cowboy Favorites:

Side 1:
1. When Payday Rolls Around
2. Ridin' Down the Canyon
3. Pistol Packin' Mama (contains several skips)
4. Cool Water
5. Tumbling Tumbleweeds
6. Deep In the Heart of Texas (a favorite, of course!)

Side 2:
1. Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle
2. Home On the Range
3. Beside the Rio Grande
4. A Cowboy Has to Sing
5. Red River Valley
6. El Rancho Grande

The Ray Charles Singers - Something Special for Young Lovers (1964)

Here's one of my favorite choral groups - the Ray Charles Singers. Lately I just haven't been able to get enough of the different choral groups - there just isn't enough time in the day to listen to all the records I want to hear! Besides the fact that this record is by the Ray Charles Singers, I bought it for the cover art, and because it's by Command Records. I don't have too many of the Command Records, but I find that I'm starting to look out for these more and more. One thing I did find puzzling about this particular record is that both the cover and the label say "Stereo", but when I recorded it I didn't see that there were two different tracks. And in some of the songs, the men's voices sound kind of "distant". I'm wondering if maybe the record could have been mislabeled. Odd. Anyway, I still enjoyed this album, especially "Quiet Nights", which is one of my all-time favorite songs. And any album that has "Dominique" on it is fine by me!


1/25/2011 UPDATE: I found the problem with one of my sound settings (don't know how I changed it) and rerecorded this album. It is now in stereo, the way it's supposed to be.

Track listing for Ray Charles Singers - Something Special for Young Lovers:

Side 1:
1. This Could Be the Start of Something
2. I Left My Heart in San Francisco
3. More
4. There! I've Said It Again
5. This Is All I Ask
6. Dominique

Side 2:
1. Hello, Dolly!
2. Quiet Nights
3. Love Me With All Your Heart
4. Charade
5. What Kind of Fool Am I? (contains a skip)
6. Sweet Little Mountain Bird

Herschel Bernardi - Sings Fiddler On the Roof (1966)

"Fiddler On the Roof" is one of my favorite musicals. I have the movie (on VHS - need to burn it to DVD) and the movie soundtrack (will post at a later date). There are so many songs that I absolutely love - it's hard to pick just one favorite. I have never seen it on the stage, but hope to some day. When I found this record (at my favorite little resale shop down the street), I almost passed it over until I saw that it was Herschel Bernardi. I remember his TV show, "Arnie", and that he was the voice of Charlie the Tuna, but I did not know that he had played Tevye in the stage production. Since I love "celebrity" records, I had to buy this - and at 50 cents, how could I go wrong? Well, the record sounded great and I loved the songs. He introduces each song with a little monologue as "Tevye". Which is your favorite song?

Track listing from Herschel Bernardi - Sings Fiddler On the Roof:

Side 1:
1. Tradition
2. Matchmaker, Matchmaker
3. If I Were a Rich Man
4. Sabbath Prayer
5. Miracle of Miracles

Side 2:
1. To Life
2. Sunrise, Sunset
3. When Messiah Comes
4. Anatevka
5. Fiddler On the Roof

Steve Allen - Around the World (1959)

Happy New Year, everyone! Here's wishing you a happy, prosperous, and healthy 2011!

One of my New Year resolutions is to get back to posting on a regular basis - twice a week (except when I'm on vacation). I had to work a lot of overtime (paid, thankfully) last year, so I was unable to post as much as I would have liked to, but my new job is great and seems like there will be overtime just once in awhile. So, I'm hoping to have more time to dedicate to digitizing my record collection, scanning tons of old negatives, and tending to all my other interests.

So, to start off 2011, I offer you this little gem that I bought last month at my favorite little resale shop down the street (I also bought two Christmas albums, which I'll share during the next Christmas season). It was the cover art that first grabbed my attention to this album (it'll be framed and hanging in my entryway in the next few days), but I also enjoy listening to Steve Allen. I've already posted my two other Steve Allen albums, and I find them very enjoyable and relaxing. Steve takes us on a trip around the world to places such as Mexico, Spain, France, Japan, Germany, and others. So, if you're already planning your vacation for 2011 (I am), give a listen to this album for some ideas as to where you'd like to go.

Track listing for Steve Allen - Around the World:

Side 1:
1. Adios (Mexico)
2. Madre (Spain)
3. When the World Was Young (France)
4. Fight for the Land (England)
5. Danny Boy (Ireland)
6. Auf Wiedersehn (Germany)

Side 2:
1. Holiday in Brussels (Belgium)
2. Non Dimenticar (Italy)
3. Song of India (India)
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream (Japan)
5. The Peanut Vendor (Cuba)
6. U.S.A. (The United States)

Cool Yule Tunes 2010 - A Stax o' Wax Compilation

Have you all finished your Christmas shopping yet? Have you started? ;-)

I braved the crowds this last weekend before Christmas and did my shopping for my family. So, this is my last Christmas post for the year as I'll be visiting my family and friends back in my hometown for the Christmas holiday. But before I sign off for the year, I have to post my annual Christmas compilation! So, I've put together a compilation of some favorite Christmas songs for this year's Cool Yule Tunes 2010. This is just a little token of my appreciation to all of you for visiting my blog and sharing in my love of this type of music and the nostalgia of glorious vinyl.

There's a little bit of everything here and I hope you enjoy the songs I've picked. And, if you don't already have them, click on the "Cool Yule Tunes" label to see the previous three Christmas compilations and download them to have a complete collection!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you get to spend it with those you love. I also wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year! See you back here after the New Year!

Track listing for Cool Yule Tunes 2010 - A Stax o' Wax Compilation:

1. Christmas All Over the World - Jim Nabors
2. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town - The Three Suns
3. It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas - Kate Smith
4. Sleigh Ride - Al Caiola & Riz Ortolani
5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Ed Ames
6. The Bell That Couldn't Jingle - Burt Bacharach
7. The Christmas Song - Carol Burnett
8. Winter Wonderland - Anne Murray
9. Joy to the World - Mannheim Steamroller
10. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
11. Santa's Got a Brand New Bag - The Hollyridge Strings
12. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Felix Slatkin
13. Christmas Island - Cyril Stapleton & His Orchestra with Children's Chorus
14. Mele Kalikimaka - Haleloke, featuring Arthur Godfrey on the ukelele
15. Holiday for Bells - Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra
16. Frosty the Snow Man - Vaughan Monroe & His Orchestra
17. Merry, Merry Christmas Baby - Dodie Stevens
18. Deck the Halls - Danny Kaye
19. Silver Bells - Pat Boone
20. White Christmas - Lana Cantrell
21. The Christmas Waltz - Nancy Wilson
22. The Night Before Christmas Song - Gisele MacKenzie
23. Jingle Bells - Sammy Davis Jr.
24. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers - Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
25. Blue Christmas - Ernest Tubbs
26. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Warner Brothers Stars
27. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Ramsey Lewis
28. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus - Jimmy Osmond

Boots Randolph - Boots and Stockings (1969)

I got this one from the HPB bargain bin either last year or the year before. I loved the title, "Boots and Stockings", and I also love the sax. I took up alto sax in the late 1980s, but had to quit when I got braces for the second time (I had them as a kid, then again as an adult). By the time I got the braces off, I had put the sax in storage (still haven't found it), so I don't play it anymore. Anyway, I do enjoy this album, and I hope you do, too!

Track listing for Boots Randolph - Boots and Stockings:

Side 1:
1. Medley: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town/ Jolly Old St. Nick/ Here Comes Santa Claus
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
3. Jingle Bells
4. Frosty the Snow Man
5. Sleigh Ride

Side 2:
1. White Christmas
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
4. Silver Bells
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. Greensleeves

Gisele MacKenzie - Christmas with Gisele (1959)

I found this little gem last year at my favorite little resale store nearby. I bought it because I just loved the cover. I have never heard of Gisele MacKenzie, but one of my coworkers had and he liked her. I did like the album once I listened to it, and here are a few of the liner notes:

In this album, the Canadian-born songstress sings a collection of Christmas songs gathered from all parts of the world.... Gisele is a bewitching combination of gamin and grand lady.

I just love that description of Gisele! Now I have to find other albums by her!


Track listing for Gisele MacKenzie - Christmas with Gisele:

Side 1:
1. Silent Night; God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen; The Coventry Carol
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
3. Dans Cette Etable (In This Stable); Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes (The Angels in Our Fields); La Marche Des Rois (The March of the Kings)
4. White Christmas
5. We Three Kings of Orient Are; Good King Wenceslas; Gesu Bambino
6. The Christmas Song

Side 2:
1. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
2. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
3. The Night Before Christmas Song
4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
5. Too Fat for the Chimney
6. Jingle Bells


Click here to go see a video of Gisele singing "White Christmas"! (It wouldn't let me embed the video.)

Percy Faith - Music of Christmas (1959)

Christmas just would not be Christmas without listening to one of my mom's Christmas albums. My mother was an elementary school teacher for 48 years (she retired in 1985) and was either in charge of or helped with her school's annual Christmas pageant. (Are public schools even allowed to have Christmas pageants anymore???) So, she had a nice collection of Christmas albums which she would use for the pageants. I only have one memory - and it's pretty vague - of one of the pageants and it is of a little girl lip-syncing to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus". I was probably only 5 or 6 years old at the time, and I thought she was really singing and was very impressed. The only other thing I remember is that it was cold (December in South Texas can be 70 degrees or 50 degrees), and that my father and I had to stand at the back of the auditorium because there were no available chairs. Oh, and my mom also played the piano for some of the Christmas carols. Anyway, this is one of the few Christmas albums that I have that belonged to my mom because some were destroyed in Hurricane Beulah (1967) and some others were stolen from her classroom. I'm glad this one has survived all these years because it's by Percy Faith and his orchestra, which is probably the orchestra that most reminds me of my mom. Enjoy!

Track listing for Percy Faith - Music of Christmas:

Side 1:
1. Joy to the World
2. Silent Night, Holy Night
3. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly
4. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
5. Good King Wenceslas
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Side 2:
1. The First Noel
2. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming; O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. O Holy Night
4. The Holly and The Ivy; Here We Go A-Caroling
5. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
6. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)