This 17th edition of "Chip's Tips" announces the upcoming 2017 Christmas CD releases from Real Gone Music.

This spectacular new batch of Christmas CD releases for 2017, while not as big as last year, includes three albums that I have been working on the longest -- many, many years -- to get back into print and/or properly released.

First among these is the #1 album in my Top 500: Percy Faith's definitive 1959 stereo re-recording of his classic and legendary Christmas album Music Of Christmas. This album has never been out-of-print since it was first released in 1959 (first on LP and now on CD), but it has never had a proper digital remastering. With this glorious new release, that injustice has now finally been corrected. Also, for this special release I added eight magnificent Christmas bonus tracks that I took from several non-Christmas music Percy Faith LPs. In addition, I also personally wrote the liner notes for the CD booklet. For my original earlier announcement from last year of this long-awaited release, and to see the added bonus tracks as well as hear a sampling of some of the standout songs from the album, please click here.

Second on the list is a 2fer CD containing the #5 and #6 albums in my Top 500: Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians' classic and legendary 1955 Christmas albums 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and its companion album Christmas Time. This, unbelievably, is the very first time that these two albums have ever been released on CD. And it wasn't easy, as it was fraught with many obstacles that we had to face along the way; chief among them, dealing with UMG (Universal Music Group), which is never an easy proposition. For my original announcement from earlier this year of this long-awaited release, as well as to hear the complete Side 1 of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, please click here.

It is because of the inordinate time dedicated to these landmark releases that the total number of new Christmas CDs was smaller than usual this year; but it was well worth it and we think you'll agree.

Anyway, rounding out the list this year are expanded reissues of The Ames Brothers 1957 RCA Christmas album and The Supremes 1965 Motown Christmas album, as well as a first-ever reissue on CD of the great Connie Smith's 1975 Columbia Christmas album, and a new reissue of Robert Shaw's second RCA Christmas album from 1952.

So now, without further ado, is the complete list of the Real Gone Music Christmas CD releases for 2017; and under each listing is where the album ranks in my all-time Top 500:

Percy Faith: Music Of Christmas (The definitive 1959 stereo re-recording, Expanded Edition)

*(Top 500; 1st Tier -- Ultra Top 10; #1)*

Fred Waring And The Pennsylvanians: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and Christmas Time (2fer CD)

*(Top 500; 1st Tier -- Ultra Top 10; #5 and #6, respectively)*

The Ames Brothers: There'll Always Be A Christmas (Expanded Edition)

*(Top 500; 1st Tier; #107)*

The Supremes: Merry Christmas (Expanded Edition, 2-CD Set)

*(Top 500; 2nd Tier; #228)*

Connie Smith: Joy To The World (Expanded Edition)

*(Top 500; 2nd Tier; #240)*

The Robert Shaw Chorale: Christmas Hymns And Carols, Volume 2

*(Top 500; 3rd Tier; #251)*

The anticipated street date for the new Real Gone Music Christmas CD releases is November 3, 2017.

Any questions or comments about the new 2017 Real Gone Music releases, please post on message board by clicking here.

Happy autumn everyone, and don't forget to keep the spirit of Christmas all year through!