Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Title: Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014
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Date Posted：05/10/2013 04:45:18Copy HTML

Posted below are my Top 7 Christmas LP recommendations to Gordon Anderson (Co-President of Real Gone Music) for release on CD for next year, Christmas 2014.

As a result of the current difficulty in dealing with UMG (Universal Music Group), I am now concentrating exclusively on titles for reissue that are the properties of either SME (Sony Music Entertainment) or WMG (Warner Music Group). As I said in my Chip's Tips column last month (Click here), even though the Frank DeVol is a Sony-owned property, for this year 2013, it's just a matter of bad timing as Gordon already has two projects going with Sony right now and just can't take on another one at this time. However, the good news is that there is an excellent chance for its release next year for Christmas 2014! And the prospects are also good for other Sony-owned titles as well.

Please note: #5 on my list, 1962's Sing Christmas Music by the Living Voices, was originally released in 1959 as Christmas Surprises by the Ralph Hunter Choir, and that is how the album is represented in my Top 300 (album #95). However, for my proposal to Gordon, I am recommending the 1962 reissue for release on CD only because of my marketing suggestion to him that he package the album for release on a multi-CD set that includes the other two Living Strings/Living Voices albums on my list (#6 and #7).

Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed to Real Gone Music for release on CD in 2014:

#1) The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas - Frank DeVol (Columbia Records - 1960)

#2) I Want To Wish You A Merry Christmas - Sammy Kaye (Columbia Records - 1957)

#3) Swing Bells! - The Glad Singers (Columbia Records - 1965)

#4) A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas - The Three Suns (RCA Records - 1959)

#5) Sing Christmas Music - The Living Voices (RCA Camden Records - 1962)

#6) The Little Drummer Boy - The Living Voices (RCA Camden Records - 1965)

#7) The Sound Of Christmas - The Living Strings (RCA Camden Records - 1970)

Edited 05/15/14 to add the following update:

Gordon has agreed to release my recommendation #1, Frank DeVol, for Christmas 2014! Click here.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/10/2013 11:28:01Copy HTML

Chip- great list. #7 I've been trying to find in digital form to replace a worn-out LP!
Also, #1; I have found some cuts from #1 on 'greatest hits' type sets from CBS, but you have to buy a 5 CD set just to get 2 of the songs.

PS: Happy Mother's Day to all list members where it would apply!
John

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/10/2013 02:48:05Copy HTML

Should there be a seperate list for releases that got screwed up the first time and need to be re-done?  The Percy Faith Music Of Christmas saga is a good example of justice finally prevailing; I propose another one: 'The Spirit of Christmas' by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It has been available on a Sony budget line release for a while, but whoever did it pulled a whopper: he used a stereo master for the side one tracks and a mono master for side two!  How that came to pass I will never know.  But the sound on the original stereo is so sweet that it deserves a second attempt, with true digital remastering.   Remember, the whole western world knows 'Carol of the Bells' primarily because of the performance on this album.  Real Gone Music - help us!

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/10/2013 06:53:43Copy HTML

Thanks for the great list Chip!   And thanks for making me a happy man by adding "The Little Drummer Boy" (The Living Voices) to the list!   This record in my opinion SAYS Christmas the minute the first note is heard and I think their rendtition of "Do You Hear What I Hear" is the most touching version of the song!

Keeping my fingers crossed it happens!  I would order it immediately of announced!

Merry Christmas to all!  (a bit early but we need a little Christmas now!)

Bob

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/11/2013 07:18:16Copy HTML

Johnny:

Glad you like the list. 

Jay:

The only re-do that I am concerned about right now is the Percy Faith. Unfortunately, Sony will not relinquish the licensing rights to another company. The only hope is to try and persuade them to properly remaster it themselves. Perhaps, someday, we will finally succeed. All of the albums that I work to get back into print or properly remastered (like the Percy Faith) reside in the 1st Tier of my Top 300.

Bob:

The Living Voices album has always been on my list, but just not in the Top select few that I was concentrating on. However, as a result of the removal of the Universal-owned albums from my list, it has opened the door for this album and others as well.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/12/2013 12:55:52Copy HTML

Hey Chip.  I like the selections.  Is there any chance of The Living Guitars - The Joy Of Christmas being part of that Living set since it is only like 20 min long?

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/12/2013 02:32:22Copy HTML

Chip, thanks for  sharing the list of what you're proposing and pushing for.  The Rainbow Strings selection at #1 is great and I hope it comes to fruition.  I know it's been on your list for some time now.
Numbers 5, 6 & 7 would be GREAT, IMO.  The Little Drummer Boy was one of my two favorite Christmas LPs as a child, and I've come to appreciate the Living Strings since your efforts yielded the double CD set back in '09.  Yes, I understand that that the Sounds of Christmas is not a Johnny Douglas-led orchestra, but I do look forward to it.   Same with the possibility of the The Little Drummer Boy and the Living Voices Sing Christmas Music.  I have the "Ralph Hunter" LP with the cover that includes the "jack in the box" Santa Claus's.

Again, thank for your efforts to get all seven of these released some day!

http://forum1.aimoo.com/theyulelog/IN-THE-SPOTLIGHT/The-Ralph-Hunter-Choir-The-Living-Voices-Latin-Lullaby-1-1938374.html

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/13/2013 05:00:19Copy HTML

Jeff:

The Living Guitars' 1969 Christmas LP, The Joy Of Christmas, is an album that I eventually want to be packaged with The Living Trio's 1967 Christmas LP, I'll Be Home For Christmas. It will make a great 2fer CD. But my first priority right now is the three Living Voices/Strings albums that are still out-of-print (albums #5, #6 and #7 on my above list). With the exception of The Living Voices Sing Christmas Music LP, all of these albums were produced by the legendary RCA Records producer Ethel Gabriel, with whom I am extremely proud to call my friend. My goal is to get all of these albums back in print while she is still alive.

Bob:

The conductor for The Living 
Strings' 1970 Christmas LP, The Sound Of Christmas, was Geraldo. It was arranged 
by Geraldo and Bernard Ebbinghouse. Although not quite as good as 1963's The Spirit Of Christmas by Johnny Douglas (album #16 in my Top 300), this is still a great LP and deservedly resides in the 1st Tier of my Top 300, coming in at #33.

There were a total of 9 different maestros that Ethel hired over the years to conduct The Living Strings:
 Johnny Douglas, Hill Bowen, Geraldo, Chucho Zarzosa, Mario 
Ruiz Armengol, Al Nevins, Bob Sharples, D'Artega and Henri Rene. The one she hired the most was Johnny Douglas, who conducted and 
arranged about half of all The Living Strings LPs.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/13/2013 11:45:34Copy HTML

Great to see that #4 Ding Dong Dandy Christmas by The Three Suns will be released again. 
One song Jingle Bells was included on the B.F. Goodrich album "For a musical Merry Christmas, Volume 4 released in 1967.
It had a cool, jazzy sound that everyone in our family loved!
Here it is on YouTube Jingle Bells by The Three Suns.
Thanks, Chip for helping to get it released.

Sorry about that, Chief. My eyes saw B.F. Goodrich but my fingers typed Firestone. I even have that album.

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：05/14/2013 01:48:38Copy HTML

Sure thing, Joseph. One quick correction from your previous post: that album you were alluding to, For A Musical Merry Christmas, Volume 4, was released by B.F. Goodrich, not Firestone.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/26/2013 07:41:03Copy HTML

Hey Chip
Any updates on 2014 hopes for "The Little Drummer Boy" (The Living Voices)?  Also who would own the rights to the A&P record that was sold in the A&P stores that featured tracks by Johnny Cash, Steve and Edie, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Mathis etc?   Also any hopes of seeing the old Goodyear records being released?
Best and warmest regards,
Bob
Please ask everyone to join my facebook page "The Big Parade History Project"
 
 

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/27/2013 01:09:43Copy HTML

Bob,

Columbia Records (Sony Music) owns the rights to the music and A&P
 owns the rights to the actual LP releases. But don't look for any of 
these old retail store compilation LPs (by A&P, Goodyear, Goodrich, 
Firestone, etc.) to ever be released on CD, as they were limited edition offerings only -- even in their day.

As
 for the 3 Living Voices and Living Strings Christmas LPs that are part 
of the 7 albums that I recommended to Gordon for release in 2014 (click here), he is a little reticent, as the Living Strings Camelot/Music Of The Sea twofer CD that he released at Collectors' Choice Music in 1999 didn't sell very well. However, I guarantee him that he'd have much better results with their Christmas music.

At
 this point in time, though, he is most keen on the Top 4 albums that I 
recommended by Frank DeVol, Sammy Kaye, The Glad Singers and The Three 
Suns. I'll post an update on all this in early 2014.

And yes, if anyone hasn't already discovered your Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Facebook page, I encourage you to check it out; click here. 

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

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Thanks Chip for the info and linking the parade page! 

I would grab the Devol release if it happens, I have the LP can you believe we got it at "S. Kleins" that was a great department store!  We got the Percy Faith Album the reissue with the Christmas greenery and Christmas balls and on the cover and also the Andre Kostelanatz album too at the same time - I think each was $5.98!!!!!!!    Andre Kostelanatz's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" always was played over the ending credits for "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" it remains a great version! I'll keep my fingers crossed too the the LV "Little Drummer Boy" amazing that Gordon does not realize their Christmas music remains popular and sadly neglected.

You should do a FB page too for your great site!

Bob

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/28/2013 06:50:24Copy HTML

I do have a Facebook page, Bob; but I rarely use it. Instead, I use my Twitter page to make announcements about the program, website and message board; click here. 

As for André Kostelanetz's version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; yes, it
was indeed used as the musical backdrop every year at the finale of the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, when good old Santa made his way into
Herald Square to officially usher in the Christmas season. And it was quite sad when Macy's ended this custom, which was a tradition for so many years.
As I've previously said in the past, it's just another one of the many great Christmas traditions
that has now gone to pot. 

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/29/2013 01:08:12Copy HTML

Thanks Chip - I will check out your FB page!     Yes so many great holiday traditions seem to be forgotten.   A couple of questions - 
Do you know why the re-issue of "O Bambino - The Little Drummer Boy" by Harry Simeone that was re-issued on cassette and cd a few years back is missing one track do you know why?    Also do you remember years ago in the late 1960's one of the networks aired a tv presentation of "The Nutcracker" hosted by Eddie Albert of Green Acres - I think it was repeated a few years - it was for a short time another tradition that we loved!

Also Thanksgiving Day on WPIX when they would air "March of The Wooden Soldiers" at 12 noon followed by "Hans Christian Anderson" and then "Simba the White Lion"  (I think that was the cartoon they aired) this line-up was the mid 1970's to late 1970's I think.   At that time the station had the rights to the Goldwyn films "The Pride of The Yankees," "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "Hans Christian Anderson"  and in fact WPIX aired "The Bishop's Wife" well into the 1980's and even on weeknights at the 8pm hour in the weeks leading up to Xmas!   Plus of course they aired it on Xmas Eve too usually around 6pm after the airings of "The Adventures of Superman" if Christmas Eve was on a weeknight!

Best regards,
Bob

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/29/2013 01:31:42Copy HTML

Chip, those proposals are spot on! Especially:

#1) The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas - Frank DeVol (Columbia Records - 1960)

#3) Swing Bells! - The Glad Singers (Columbia Records - 1965)

#4) A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas - The Three Suns (RCA Records - 1959)

I would GLADLY welcome any or all of these into my Christmas music CD collection! Love the old Columbia album art and to have even just one of these titles properly remastered on a legit, commercially pressed CD (NO CD-R, please!) would be a Christmas dream come true! Frank DeVol's music is SERIOUSLY underrated! And no one records music (Christmas or otherwise) like The Three Suns anymore!

I'd forgotten how much CLASSIC Christmas music was released on Columbia records in the 1950s and 60s. I'd always thought Capitol records was the king of mid-century Christmas LPs but Columbia definitely had their share of winners right along side Capitol! And I simply can't get enough of vintage Christmas album cover graphics! Columbia certainly was no slouch in the art department!

Here's hoping something from your list sees the light of day for Christmas 2014!

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

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Bob,

When that Harry Simeone reissue CD was released in 1995, it was during a time when MCA Records had a penchant for releasing many titles in their library in an abridged form. Other records companies did this too, but not in the scope that MCA did. I had spoken to MCA back then and asked them about this practice. They claimed they did it to be able to offer these reissue CDs at budget prices. That basically was bull; they pretty much did it to save money.

As for that TV presentation of The Nutcracker with Eddie Albert that you were referring to; it premiered in West Germany in 1964, and then here in the United States on CBS-TV in 1965. And no, it didn't air for very long; however, in 2009 it was released on DVD; click here.

Peter,

Yes, Frank DeVol's Christmas album has indeed always been underrated and under-appreciated. This great, classic album not only resides in the 1st Tier of my Top 500, but in my all-time Top 15, coming in at #14.

As for which record company (or companies) had the lion's share of the great, classic and legendary Christmas albums from Christmas music's Golden Age of the 1950s and '60s, by far and away it was pretty much split between the country's two oldest, biggest, and most prestigious record companies: Columbia and RCA Victor. The "Big Two" were followed by Decca and Capitol.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

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I have a lot of Christmas albums, though nothing I'm sure like Chip's collection, I believe I have about 500 of them.  I'm amazed that I have never seen either the Sammy Kaye, Glad Singers or 3 Suns LPs as pictured in this thread.  What great covers and I'm sure the albums are great, too.  I especially love the 3 Suns.

My question to Chip is, was the 3 Suns LP later repackaged as their "Sound of Christmas" on the Camden label, and if so, was it an abridged version of the "Ding Dong Dandy" LP?

Also, based on Chip's recommendation, I went right to Ebay and found a nice copy of the Frank De Vol album, which I have seen before but didn't have, for which the seller accepted my offer of $6!  Seems like a great bargain to me, and I can't wait to hear it!

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/30/2013 05:59:54Copy HTML

No Dave, that 1963 Camden LP was a reissue of their 1955 LP by the same name (catalog 
#LPM-1132).

The original LP was released on the RCA label with two different covers; the first picture below is the original 1955 cover, and the second is the 1959 cover. The third picture is the 1963 reissue on the Camden label (catalog #CAL-633).

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/31/2013 01:46:11Copy HTML

Thanks for letting me know, Chip.  Wow, another LP to search for then!

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

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Dave,

If you want to buy the 1955 LP on CD, it was released this year as part of a double CD set by Jasmine Records: click here (the Three Suns LP is on the second disc).

By the way, 9 of the 20 songs on the 1955 LP were taken from the Three Suns two prior 10" LPs from the early 1950s. Those two 10" LPs were 1951's Christmas Favorites (catalog #LPM-52); and 1952's Christmas Party (catalog #LPM-3056). **The former was originally released in 1949 as 78-rpm 3-record set.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

Date Posted：10/31/2013 01:28:39Copy HTML

Thanks Chip.  I have a few Jasmine CDs and think their mastering is pretty decent, not up to par with Ace/Kent or some other reissue labels, but listenable and usually free of noticeable flaws and glitches.  I appreciate the link.  I'd seen that CD briefly but didn't even notice the 3 Suns were on it, as for some reason they're not even pictured on the cover!  Thanks again.

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Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014

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Yes, when it came to the cover art for the CD, Jasmine really blew it. And I mean big time. What's more, the albums by the Three Suns and the Four Aces should have been released as standalone CDs with their complete respective original LP artworks, or perhaps even a twofer with both original LP artworks on the front of the CD. The other artists appearing on the compilation should have been issued as a separate CD.

Since Jasmine is a British label, I'm still hoping that these LPs by the Four Aces and the Three Suns will eventually get a proper domestic CD release here in the United States.

It's really a shame that it took a foreign label to finally release these two American Christmas LPs on CD.

Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster | The Yule Log.com

Christmas Music Guru
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Date Posted：05/10/2013 04:45:18Copy HTML Posted below are my Top 7 Christmas LP recommendations to Gordon Anderson (Co-President of Real Gone Music) for release on CD for next year, Christmas 2014. As a result of the current difficulty in dealing with UMG (Universal Music Group), I am now concentrating exclusively on titles for reissue that are the properties of either SME (Sony Music Entertainment) or WMG (Warner Music Group). As I said in my Chip's Tips column last month (Click here), even though the Frank DeVol is a Sony-owned property, for this year 2013, it's just a matter of bad timing as Gordon already has two projects going with Sony right now and just can't take on another one at this time. However, the good news is that there is an excellent chance for its release next year for Christmas 2014! And the prospects are also good for other Sony-owned titles as well. Please note: #5 on my list, 1962's Sing Christmas Music by the Living Voices, was originally released in 1959 as Christmas Surprises by the Ralph Hunter Choir, and that is how the album is represented in my Top 300 (album #95). However, for my proposal to Gordon, I am recommending the 1962 reissue for release on CD only because of my marketing suggestion to him that he package the album for release on a multi-CD set that includes the other two Living Strings/Living Voices albums on my list (#6 and #7). Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed to Real Gone Music for release on CD in 2014: #1) The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas - Frank DeVol (Columbia Records - 1960) #2) I Want To Wish You A Merry Christmas - Sammy Kaye (Columbia Records - 1957) #3) Swing Bells! - The Glad Singers (Columbia Records - 1965) #4) A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas - The Three Suns (RCA Records - 1959) #5) Sing Christmas Music - The Living Voices (RCA Camden Records - 1962) #6) The Little Drummer Boy - The Living Voices (RCA Camden Records - 1965) #7) *The Sound Of Christmas* - The Living Strings (RCA Camden Records - 1970) Edited 05/15/14 to add the following update: Gordon has agreed to release my recommendation #1, Frank DeVol, for Christmas 2014! Click here. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
johnnyelectron	Share to: #1
Rank：Gold Posts：199 From：USA Register：11/17/2008 07:33:50	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/10/2013 11:28:01Copy HTML Chip- great list. #7 I've been trying to find in digital form to replace a worn-out LP! Also, #1; I have found some cuts from #1 on 'greatest hits' type sets from CBS, but you have to buy a 5 CD set just to get 2 of the songs. PS: Happy Mother's Day to all list members where it would apply! John
boojidad	Share to: #2
Rank：Bronze Posts：13 From：USA Register：12/03/2010 03:08:05	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/10/2013 02:48:05Copy HTML Should there be a seperate list for releases that got screwed up the first time and need to be re-done? The Percy Faith Music Of Christmas saga is a good example of justice finally prevailing; I propose another one: 'The Spirit of Christmas' by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It has been available on a Sony budget line release for a while, but whoever did it pulled a whopper: he used a stereo master for the side one tracks and a mono master for side two! How that came to pass I will never know. But the sound on the original stereo is so sweet that it deserves a second attempt, with true digital remastering. Remember, the whole western world knows 'Carol of the Bells' primarily because of the performance on this album. Real Gone Music - help us!
maxx151	Share to: #3
Rank：Silver Posts：73 From：USA Register：02/21/2010 04:11:04	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/10/2013 06:53:43Copy HTML Thanks for the great list Chip! And thanks for making me a happy man by adding "The Little Drummer Boy" (The Living Voices) to the list! This record in my opinion SAYS Christmas the minute the first note is heard and I think their rendtition of "Do You Hear What I Hear" is the most touching version of the song! Keeping my fingers crossed it happens! I would order it immediately of announced! Merry Christmas to all! (a bit early but we need a little Christmas now!) Bob
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Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/11/2013 07:18:16Copy HTML Johnny: Glad you like the list. Jay: The only re-do that I am concerned about right now is the Percy Faith. Unfortunately, Sony will not relinquish the licensing rights to another company. The only hope is to try and persuade them to properly remaster it themselves. Perhaps, someday, we will finally succeed. All of the albums that I work to get back into print or properly remastered (like the Percy Faith) reside in the 1st Tier of my Top 300. Bob: The Living Voices album has always been on my list, but just not in the Top select few that I was concentrating on. However, as a result of the removal of the Universal-owned albums from my list, it has opened the door for this album and others as well. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
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Rank：Bronze Posts：15 From：USA Register：11/08/2011 09:25:35	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/12/2013 12:55:52Copy HTML Hey Chip. I like the selections. Is there any chance of The Living Guitars - The Joy Of Christmas being part of that Living set since it is only like 20 min long?
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Rank：Bronze Posts：18 From：USA Register：10/21/2009 12:59:18	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/12/2013 02:32:22Copy HTML Chip, thanks for sharing the list of what you're proposing and pushing for. The Rainbow Strings selection at #1 is great and I hope it comes to fruition. I know it's been on your list for some time now. Numbers 5, 6 & 7 would be GREAT, IMO. The Little Drummer Boy was one of my two favorite Christmas LPs as a child, and I've come to appreciate the Living Strings since your efforts yielded the double CD set back in '09. Yes, I understand that that the Sounds of Christmas is not a Johnny Douglas-led orchestra, but I do look forward to it. Same with the possibility of the The Little Drummer Boy and the Living Voices Sing Christmas Music. I have the "Ralph Hunter" LP with the cover that includes the "jack in the box" Santa Claus's. Again, thank for your efforts to get all seven of these released some day! http://forum1.aimoo.com/theyulelog/IN-THE-SPOTLIGHT/The-Ralph-Hunter-Choir-The-Living-Voices-Latin-Lullaby-1-1938374.html
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #7
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/13/2013 05:00:19Copy HTML Jeff: The Living Guitars' 1969 Christmas LP, The Joy Of Christmas, is an album that I eventually want to be packaged with The Living Trio's 1967 Christmas LP, I'll Be Home For Christmas. It will make a great 2fer CD. But my first priority right now is the three Living Voices/Strings albums that are still out-of-print (albums #5, #6 and #7 on my above list). With the exception of The Living Voices Sing Christmas Music LP, all of these albums were produced by the legendary RCA Records producer Ethel Gabriel, with whom I am extremely proud to call my friend. My goal is to get all of these albums back in print while she is still alive. Bob: The conductor for The Living Strings' 1970 Christmas LP, The Sound Of Christmas, was Geraldo. It was arranged by Geraldo and Bernard Ebbinghouse. Although not quite as good as 1963's The Spirit Of Christmas by Johnny Douglas (album #16 in my Top 300), this is still a great LP and deservedly resides in the 1st Tier of my Top 300, coming in at #33. There were a total of 9 different maestros that Ethel hired over the years to conduct The Living Strings: Johnny Douglas, Hill Bowen, Geraldo, Chucho Zarzosa, Mario Ruiz Armengol, Al Nevins, Bob Sharples, D'Artega and Henri Rene. The one she hired the most was Johnny Douglas, who conducted and arranged about half of all The Living Strings LPs. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
Yulelights	Share to: #8
Rank：Bronze Posts：21 From：USA Register：11/18/2009 04:17:56	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/13/2013 11:45:34Copy HTML Great to see that #4 Ding Dong Dandy Christmas by The Three Suns will be released again. One song Jingle Bells was included on the B.F. Goodrich album "For a musical Merry Christmas, Volume 4 released in 1967. It had a cool, jazzy sound that everyone in our family loved! Here it is on YouTube Jingle Bells by The Three Suns. Thanks, Chip for helping to get it released. Sorry about that, Chief. My eyes saw B.F. Goodrich but my fingers typed Firestone. I even have that album.
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #9
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：05/14/2013 01:48:38Copy HTML Sure thing, Joseph. One quick correction from your previous post: that album you were alluding to, For A Musical Merry Christmas, Volume 4, was released by B.F. Goodrich, not Firestone. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
maxx151	Share to: #10
Rank：Silver Posts：73 From：USA Register：02/21/2010 04:11:04	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/26/2013 07:41:03Copy HTML Hey Chip Any updates on 2014 hopes for "The Little Drummer Boy" (The Living Voices)? Also who would own the rights to the A&P record that was sold in the A&P stores that featured tracks by Johnny Cash, Steve and Edie, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Mathis etc? Also any hopes of seeing the old Goodyear records being released? Best and warmest regards, Bob Please ask everyone to join my facebook page "The Big Parade History Project"
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #11
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/27/2013 01:09:43Copy HTML Bob, Columbia Records (Sony Music) owns the rights to the music and A&P owns the rights to the actual LP releases. But don't look for any of these old retail store compilation LPs (by A&P, Goodyear, Goodrich, Firestone, etc.) to ever be released on CD, as they were limited edition offerings only -- even in their day. As for the 3 Living Voices and Living Strings Christmas LPs that are part of the 7 albums that I recommended to Gordon for release in 2014 (click here), he is a little reticent, as the Living Strings Camelot/Music Of The Sea twofer CD that he released at Collectors' Choice Music in 1999 didn't sell very well. However, I guarantee him that he'd have much better results with their Christmas music. At this point in time, though, he is most keen on the Top 4 albums that I recommended by Frank DeVol, Sammy Kaye, The Glad Singers and The Three Suns. I'll post an update on all this in early 2014. And yes, if anyone hasn't already discovered your Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Facebook page, I encourage you to check it out; click here. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
maxx151	Share to: #12
Rank：Silver Posts：73 From：USA Register：02/21/2010 04:11:04	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/28/2013 04:01:17Copy HTML Thanks Chip for the info and linking the parade page! I would grab the Devol release if it happens, I have the LP can you believe we got it at "S. Kleins" that was a great department store! We got the Percy Faith Album the reissue with the Christmas greenery and Christmas balls and on the cover and also the Andre Kostelanatz album too at the same time - I think each was $5.98!!!!!!! Andre Kostelanatz's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" always was played over the ending credits for "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" it remains a great version! I'll keep my fingers crossed too the the LV "Little Drummer Boy" amazing that Gordon does not realize their Christmas music remains popular and sadly neglected. You should do a FB page too for your great site! Bob
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #13
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/28/2013 06:50:24Copy HTML I do have a Facebook page, Bob; but I rarely use it. Instead, I use my Twitter page to make announcements about the program, website and message board; click here. As for André Kostelanetz's version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; yes, it was indeed used as the musical backdrop every year at the finale of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, when good old Santa made his way into Herald Square to officially usher in the Christmas season. And it was quite sad when Macy's ended this custom, which was a tradition for so many years. As I've previously said in the past, it's just another one of the many great Christmas traditions that has now gone to pot. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
maxx151	Share to: #14
Rank：Silver Posts：73 From：USA Register：02/21/2010 04:11:04	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/29/2013 01:08:12Copy HTML Thanks Chip - I will check out your FB page! Yes so many great holiday traditions seem to be forgotten. A couple of questions - Do you know why the re-issue of "O Bambino - The Little Drummer Boy" by Harry Simeone that was re-issued on cassette and cd a few years back is missing one track do you know why? Also do you remember years ago in the late 1960's one of the networks aired a tv presentation of "The Nutcracker" hosted by Eddie Albert of Green Acres - I think it was repeated a few years - it was for a short time another tradition that we loved! Also Thanksgiving Day on WPIX when they would air "March of The Wooden Soldiers" at 12 noon followed by "Hans Christian Anderson" and then "Simba the White Lion" (I think that was the cartoon they aired) this line-up was the mid 1970's to late 1970's I think. At that time the station had the rights to the Goldwyn films "The Pride of The Yankees," "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "Hans Christian Anderson" and in fact WPIX aired "The Bishop's Wife" well into the 1980's and even on weeknights at the 8pm hour in the weeks leading up to Xmas! Plus of course they aired it on Xmas Eve too usually around 6pm after the airings of "The Adventures of Superman" if Christmas Eve was on a weeknight! Best regards, Bob
Get2Me	Share to: #15
Rank：Silver Posts：56 From：USA Register：10/04/2008 03:09:21	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/29/2013 01:31:42Copy HTML Chip, those proposals are spot on! Especially: #1) The Old Sweet Songs Of Christmas - Frank DeVol (Columbia Records - 1960) #3) Swing Bells! - The Glad Singers (Columbia Records - 1965) #4) A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas - The Three Suns (RCA Records - 1959) I would GLADLY welcome any or all of these into my Christmas music CD collection! Love the old Columbia album art and to have even just one of these titles properly remastered on a legit, commercially pressed CD (NO CD-R, please!) would be a Christmas dream come true! Frank DeVol's music is SERIOUSLY underrated! And no one records music (Christmas or otherwise) like The Three Suns anymore! I'd forgotten how much CLASSIC Christmas music was released on Columbia records in the 1950s and 60s. I'd always thought Capitol records was the king of mid-century Christmas LPs but Columbia definitely had their share of winners right along side Capitol! And I simply can't get enough of vintage Christmas album cover graphics! Columbia certainly was no slouch in the art department! Here's hoping something from your list sees the light of day for Christmas 2014!
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #16
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/30/2013 05:08:30Copy HTML Bob, When that Harry Simeone reissue CD was released in 1995, it was during a time when MCA Records had a penchant for releasing many titles in their library in an abridged form. Other records companies did this too, but not in the scope that MCA did. I had spoken to MCA back then and asked them about this practice. They claimed they did it to be able to offer these reissue CDs at budget prices. That basically was bull; they pretty much did it to save money. As for that TV presentation of The Nutcracker with Eddie Albert that you were referring to; it premiered in West Germany in 1964, and then here in the United States on CBS-TV in 1965. And no, it didn't air for very long; however, in 2009 it was released on DVD; click here. Peter, Yes, Frank DeVol's Christmas album has indeed always been underrated and under-appreciated. This great, classic album not only resides in the 1st Tier of my Top 500, but in my all-time Top 15, coming in at #14. As for which record company (or companies) had the lion's share of the great, classic and legendary Christmas albums from Christmas music's Golden Age of the 1950s and '60s, by far and away it was pretty much split between the country's two oldest, biggest, and most prestigious record companies: Columbia and RCA Victor. The "Big Two" were followed by Decca and Capitol. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
davet1	Share to: #17
Rank：Bronze Posts：17 From：USA Register：10/16/2011 02:01:47	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/30/2013 05:14:54Copy HTML I have a lot of Christmas albums, though nothing I'm sure like Chip's collection, I believe I have about 500 of them. I'm amazed that I have never seen either the Sammy Kaye, Glad Singers or 3 Suns LPs as pictured in this thread. What great covers and I'm sure the albums are great, too. I especially love the 3 Suns. My question to Chip is, was the 3 Suns LP later repackaged as their "Sound of Christmas" on the Camden label, and if so, was it an abridged version of the "Ding Dong Dandy" LP? Also, based on Chip's recommendation, I went right to Ebay and found a nice copy of the Frank De Vol album, which I have seen before but didn't have, for which the seller accepted my offer of $6! Seems like a great bargain to me, and I can't wait to hear it!
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #18
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/30/2013 05:59:54Copy HTML No Dave, that 1963 Camden LP was a reissue of their 1955 LP by the same name (catalog #LPM-1132). The original LP was released on the RCA label with two different covers; the first picture below is the original 1955 cover, and the second is the 1959 cover. The third picture is the 1963 reissue on the Camden label (catalog #CAL-633). Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
davet1	Share to: #19
Rank：Bronze Posts：17 From：USA Register：10/16/2011 02:01:47	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/31/2013 01:46:11Copy HTML Thanks for letting me know, Chip. Wow, another LP to search for then!
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #20
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/31/2013 06:12:16Copy HTML Dave, If you want to buy the 1955 LP on CD, it was released this year as part of a double CD set by Jasmine Records: click here (the Three Suns LP is on the second disc). By the way, 9 of the 20 songs on the 1955 LP were taken from the Three Suns two prior 10" LPs from the early 1950s. Those two 10" LPs were 1951's Christmas Favorites (catalog #LPM-52); and 1952's Christmas Party (catalog #LPM-3056). **The former was originally released in 1949 as 78-rpm 3-record set. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com
davet1	Share to: #21
Rank：Bronze Posts：17 From：USA Register：10/16/2011 02:01:47	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/31/2013 01:28:39Copy HTML Thanks Chip. I have a few Jasmine CDs and think their mastering is pretty decent, not up to par with Ace/Kent or some other reissue labels, but listenable and usually free of noticeable flaws and glitches. I appreciate the link. I'd seen that CD briefly but didn't even notice the 3 Suns were on it, as for some reason they're not even pictured on the cover! Thanks again.
Christmas Music Guru	Share to: #22
Rank：Honorary Member Posts：3897 From：USA Register：09/07/2005 11:04:22	Re：Top 7 Christmas LPs proposed for release on CD for 2014 Date Posted：10/31/2013 06:10:28Copy HTML Yes, when it came to the cover art for the CD, Jasmine really blew it. And I mean big time. What's more, the albums by the Three Suns and the Four Aces should have been released as standalone CDs with their complete respective original LP artworks, or perhaps even a twofer with both original LP artworks on the front of the CD. The other artists appearing on the compilation should have been issued as a separate CD. Since Jasmine is a British label, I'm still hoping that these LPs by the Four Aces and the Three Suns will eventually get a proper domestic CD release here in the United States. It's really a shame that it took a foreign label to finally release these two American Christmas LPs on CD. Lawrence F. "Chip" Arcuri Owner/Webmaster \| The Yule Log.com