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| Title: Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! | |
| The_Yule_Log.com_Message_Board > Message Board Categories > NEW & UPCOMING CD RELEASES | Go to subcategory： |
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Christmas Music Guru
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Date Posted：05/09/2014 07:00:16Copy HTML ***THIS IS A YULE LOG.COM EXCLUSIVE***   It is with great pride and joy that I announce here today that Gordon Anderson (Co-President of Real Gone Music) has agreed to release yet another one of my Top Classic Christmas LP recommendations for remastering and re-release on CD.
And this year, for 2014, it is the classic and legendary 1960 album The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas by the great Frank DeVol and his Rainbow Strings Orchestra.
This album, by the way, was my #1 recommendation to Gordon in my Top 7 Christmas LPs that I proposed for release in 2014 (click here). It ranks #14 in my Top 500 of the greatest Christmas albums of all-time. Regarding the Yule Log televised broadcast, there are two medleys from this album on the program’s soundtrack: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas/Toyland (selection #9); and Silent Night/O Little Town Of Bethlehem (selection #16).
Mr. DeVol, for anyone who is not familiar with him, was a popular arranger, composer, conductor -- and even an occasional actor primarily from the 1950s thru the 1980s. He composed the theme songs to several classic TV shows, including My Three Sons, Family Affair and The Brady Bunch. He also composed the music for some classic motion pictures, including The Dirty Dozen, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, Cat Ballou, McLintock, Pillow Talk and The Longest Yard. For the music he composed for motion pictures, he was nominated for an Academy Award four times.
As an actor, he made appearances in half-a-dozen motion pictures and over two-dozen TV shows. Among the recording artists that he wrote arrangements for over the years were Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Tony Bennett and Vic Damone.
One other noteworthy thing to mention about Mr. DeVol is that his second marriage was to the great big band vocalist Helen O'Connell.
The anticipated street (release) date for the new CD is November 2, 2014.
In the mean time, posted below are two YouTube listings: the first is Side 1 of the LP, and the second is Side 2. Enjoy!  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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johnnyelectron
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#1
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/09/2014 12:37:20Copy HTML This is great news Chip - thanks for sharing with us. You know what's still churning in the back of my mind - if this is the year that Columbia/Legacy cuts loose the '59 masters of "Music of Christmas" to Gordon & Company for a proper remastering and release? I also think it would be pretty slick if Real Gone issued their own Christmas album - akin to the various artists LP's of the 60's and early 70's? Maybe they could get 'one song at a time' from Columbia and include it on their VA LP, getting us the songs we love that way? Regards to all, after the worst winter in history along the shores of Lake Erie, spring has sprung, and a Happy Mother's Day to all that it applies. John |
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Get2Me
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#2
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/09/2014 01:58:26Copy HTML This is, indeed, wonderful news, Chip! I've never had the pleasure of listening to The Sweet Old Songs Of Christmas. However, like every vintage Christmas LP, I appreciate and respect the rich history each one has established through the nostalgia they created for countless families who enjoyed them year after year. No other time of year is so closely tied to music and memories like Christmas time.
I wonder what additional Christmas goodies Gordon and the Real Gone Music gang have in store for us in 2014? John, I LOVE the idea of a Christmas various artists comp from Real Gone Music. You're right, it would be a cost effective way to license beloved tracks from impossible-to-license albums and offer a lot of sought-after recordings in one place. Didn't they kind of do this with the Cameo Parkway Christmas comp? That wasn't a straight vintage LP reissue. Was it? Personally, I'd love a Real Gone Music "Ultra-Lounge" type comp with all those great 50s and 60s easy listening/lounge tracks that never appeared on Christmas Cocktails Pts. 1, 2 or 3. I adore those albums for their off-beat sense of humor and often wacky take on Christmas standards. They're a lot of fun to listen to and paint a decidedly different picture of what Christmas was like in mid-century America, offering a nice counterpoint to all the familiar vocal carols that get played each and every year. |
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skooty317
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#3
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/09/2014 02:01:31Copy HTML
Chip.... You are AMAZING!!!!! You might consider changing your name to Father Christmas!!! You made my day.. My grandparents use to play this at their home at Christmastime..Thanks for this ..
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PDMan
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#4
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/09/2014 03:11:44Copy HTML FANTASTIC News Chip! One of my all-time favorite albums. Great work!
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Christmas Music Guru
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#5
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/10/2014 01:00:21Copy HTML John: I'm continually working on the Percy and hopefully, someday, I can finally make it happen. I will never give up on that one. And that compilation idea you alluded to is definitely something to possibly think about for the future.  Peter: As soon as I hear from Gordon in Hollywood, I will post the rest of Real Gone Music's new Christmas CD releases for 2014. The announcement is pending the official clearances from the record companies.  Scott: Glad to hear how much sentimental value the album has for you!  Randy: Glad to hear it's one of your all-time favorites!  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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Christmas Always
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#6
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/10/2014 08:20:07Copy HTML Chip,
I'm glad that you were influential in getting this al bum released on CD for those who don't have the opportunity to listen to it on vinyl. I believe I may have asked this before, but not sure, did Frank DeVol release the theme from "Family Affair" on a single or LP? Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life.
Susan
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jinglero
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#7
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/10/2014 04:53:50Copy HTML
Congratulations, Chip! Will be getting this CD this Christmas :) It will be nice to finally have a stereo copy of this album :) Best of luck in your continued attempts for an upgraded Percy Faith!
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Christmas Music Guru
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#8
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/10/2014 05:50:57Copy HTML Susan: No, Frank DeVol never released a recorded version of his theme to Family Affair on disc; however, in 1966 Lawrence Welk released it as a single and also on his Dot Records LP, Winchester Cathedral.  James: If you've never heard the stereo version of Frank DeVol's The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas, then you're in for a real treat.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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Christmas Always
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#9
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/11/2014 06:36:52Copy HTML Thank you Chip,
I appreciate the Lawrence Welk clip and I might even have this album, but several are still packed in boxes in my closets since I don't have a lot of space to have my albums out. Christmas Isn't Just A Day In December, It's A Way Of Life.
Susan
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jinglero
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#10
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/19/2014 10:24:02Copy HTML Thank you, Chip! I am looking forward to hearing it in glorious stereo :)
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Kringleling
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#11
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/22/2014 07:57:31Copy HTML Terrific job Chip! I can't wait for November! |
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Christmas Music Guru
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#12
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/23/2014 01:00:32Copy HTML Justin, I'm still working on Gordon to release the Living Strings and Living Voices Christmas albums, as well as the Living Trio and Living Guitars. And time is of the essence, as I would really like to get them back in print while my friend Ethel Gabriel (the legendary RCA Records producer who created the "Living" groups and produced all of their albums) is still alive. The main problem is that in 1999, when Gordon was with Collectors' Choice Music, he released a 2fer CD of the Living Strings regular music LP's Music from Camelot and Music of the Sea which didn't sell very well. As a result, he is reticent to reissue more of their material. I have continually assured Gordon that he would have much better results with their Christmas music, but with business conditions being what they are, he is still a little apprehensive. Therefore, getting these albums back in print might take a little more time, but I will certainly continue to persevere. By the way, that Living Strings 2fer CD that I alluded to earlier now goes for big bucks on Amazon: click here. Despite the CD's poor sales, these were 2 classic albums by the Living Strings: Music from Camelot was conducted by the great Hill Bowen; and Music of the Sea was the first Living Strings album conducted by the great Johnny Douglas.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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persimmon
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#13
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/25/2014 03:11:29Copy HTML Thanks Chip!!!
Candy canes and eggnog all around! |
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Christmas Music Guru
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#14
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/25/2014 03:22:54Copy HTML Cheers!   Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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Badgercat
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#15
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/27/2014 10:18:40Copy HTML Chip,
Thanks for fighting the good fight for each of the CDs on your list. You know that for me, the possible compilation of the Living Strings/Voices/Guitars sits at the top. The 1999 CD "two-fer" that you mention may not have sold like Mr. Anderson would have liked, yet I wonder how the 2009 Dulcima Records CD (The Spirit of Christmas) sold in comparison? Perhaps you've covered that, yet I apologize if I missed it. I can't imagine that it did not outsell the aforementioned 1999 Music from Camelot and Music of the Sea CD. I know they're different companies, but it would seem to me that a compilation during the Christmas season being advertised here and elsewhere would do fairly well in comparison. Heck, it's been 15 years since the '99 CD did poorly. It's time to try another Living Strings/Voices combo Gordon... ;) Then again, I know nothing about the record business. As I began this post - I'll repeat myself - thanks for fighting the good fight, Chip!
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Christmas Music Guru
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#16
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/28/2014 07:25:23Copy HTML Bob, The Dulcima Records Living Strings/Voices Christmas CD has sold well. In fact, all of the Living Strings/Voices CDs that Norma (Camby) has released of her father's (Johnny Douglas) work have sold well. Notwithstanding, the earlier poor sales performance of CCM's 1999 Living Strings Music from Camelot/Music of the Sea CD still makes Gordon apprehensive to take another chance. But like I said earlier, it's just going to take a little more time and cajoling on my part. But bear in mind that this process takes time. Case in point: Frank DeVol, which I first proposed to Gordon in July of 2008 and have been working on ever since. Now, six years later, it is finally coming to fruition. So patience and perseverance are an absolute must in this process.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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johnnyelectron
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#17
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/28/2014 03:33:20Copy HTML Chip, I'll be adding the DeVol LP CD to my collection this fall; his instrumental version of "Toyland" is my 2nd favorite arrangement right after the version by the Living Strings version, so that would be great if they can 'take a leap of faith' on The Living Strings too. Greetings to all, John |
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Christmas Music Guru
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#18
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：05/28/2014 11:10:37Copy HTML I really hope Gordon will eventually take that leap of faith too, John; but this one has been a tough nut to crack. Like the Frank Devol LP, among other LPs that I first proposed for release to Gordon back in July of 2008 were the Living Strings1963 LP The Spirit Of Christmas and their 1970 LP The Sound Of Christmas. Then, the very next year, in 2009, Norma (Camby) snapped up from RCA the rights to release The Spirit Of Christmas on her Dulcima Records label, along with the other two Christmas albums that her father, Johnny Douglas, arranged and conducted for the Living Strings and Voices: 1968's White Christmas and 1974's A Christmas Songbook. Norma has done quite well with the release; but the trick now is convincing Gordon that he will do the same. I have told Gordon many times that among the emails that I receive via my website, as well as posts filed on my message board, the Living Strings and Living Voices Christmas albums are among the most requested for release on CD. However, the more you folks can chime in to let him know as well, the better chance that I have at selling it to him. I can't give out Gordon's direct email address as it is proprietary, but you can send him a message directly via his website by clicking here.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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rbanders
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#19
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：06/05/2014 01:38:08Copy HTML Chip...Thank you for your passion in getting these Christmas classics to CD. We all benefit from your work. DeVol was on my list to get.
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Christmas Music Guru
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#20
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：06/05/2014 05:01:02Copy HTML My pleasure, Brent.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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johnnyelectron
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#21
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：08/29/2014 12:55:14Copy HTML Hi Chip, Thanks for today's update that there will be SEVEN, yes 7, Real Gone Christmas-theme releases in 2014. I am floored by the quantity. I expected maybe another CD to go along with Frank DeVol, but wow, what an offering this year. After issuing the complete Andy Williams Columbia Records Christmas CD set last year, I see RG is offering the 1970 LP that Andy cut with his brothers, which features a real finger-snapping version of the "Holiday Season", which is among my favorite tracks. Thanks for the great news and please pass-along our thanks to Gordon and the Real Gone crew. Warm Regards, John |
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Christmas Music Guru
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#22
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：08/30/2014 03:30:49Copy HTML My pleasure, John. I'll pass along your thanks to Gordon as well.  Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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Christmas Music Guru
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#23
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：10/24/2014 08:00:58Copy HTML The new Frank DeVol Christmas CD and all of this year's Real Gone Music Christmas CD releases are now available for pre-order on the Real Gone Music website. I just received my advance copy of the Frank DeVol CD and it is outstanding. Gordon did a great job on production and Maria Triana at Sony Music's Battery Mastering Studios here in New York did a superb job remastering the recording.   Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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RichD
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#24
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：11/01/2014 05:47:50Copy HTML Chip - I totally agree !! The Frank DeVol CD sounds amazing !! I'm listening to it now - just beautifully done....and the liner notes aren't too shabby either !!!!!
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donherring
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#25
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：11/09/2014 01:56:26Copy HTML I just received my copy today and I have to say it is magnificent. Punchy with sweet luscious strings with no harshness that sometimes plagues old recordings that have been sitting on a shelf for decades. This one turns the clock back decades and you're sitting in a recording studio and imagining Frank up there doing his thing. Truly remarkable. Liner notes are biographical and professionally done. All in all, a wonderful effort. Thank you Chip. Keep up your remarkable efforts.
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Christmas Music Guru
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#26
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Re：Frank DeVol's 1960 Christmas album to be released on CD! Date Posted：11/09/2014 03:14:20Copy HTML Thank you, both Rich and Don for the kind words. Glad to hear how much you both like the new DeVol CD.  
Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri
Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com
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