Big Balls of Holly

Western Christmas

Big Balls of Holly proudly presents for your enjoyment, Western Christmas! This is one of the great Christmas records. Here again, as in my most recent share, the best track may be The Night Before Christmas Song.  There are some songs here that are not really Christmas songs but they continue the festive mood just the same. One of the songs is new to me, Wait For The Wagon (On Christmas Day). You will have to let me know what you think of that one. Will it be added to your playlist, downloaded to your iPod, included in your podcast? Speaking of podcasting, BBOH received a comment from HellBound Alleee and she has an interesting podcast. Here is the new share: 

Western Christmas

 

 

Christmas With The Caroleers

This weeks Christmas record share is Christmas With The Caroleers. The King, or Ernie, had posted the album cover on Flikr, but the wrong record was in the sleeve, so I do not believe this has been shared. The Caroleers were a group of talented vocalists who did not normally receive recognition by name on records. They recorded in many different styles and, as such, this isn't really a cohesive album, but it does shine on a few tracks. You will not be downloading the entire record. You are getting all of side A. Side B was too far gone to salvage, and to be frank, the songs on the b side are nothing special. That being said, there is one fantastic track on side B, The Night Before Christmas.I did work at length to clean that one up for you. It's not perfect but, man, that's a great song! Listen to that track now, then download the share.

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas With The Caroleers

Christmas Songs For Young Hearts

Here is a new Christmas share called Christmas Songs For Young Hearts. The singer is listed as Gene Martin and the band as The Arthur Carre Orchestra. Many of the Caroleer Records releases were intended to sound like popular artists on the major labels. This is clearly a Dean Martin and I think it does sound like him. It's a pretty cool record, quite enjoyable. I wish I had been around in those days to try and trick people by using names similar to famous people. I think I would put out a Bang Crosby and maybe a Maryrose Clooney! What fake names would you have used? Please post some ideas.   

Christmas Songs For Young Hearts

The Lundstrom's Wilderness Christmas

Many of you may remember The Lundstrom Family. Headed by the Lowell Lundstrom they traveled around the country on a gospel tour. They traveled 300 days per year for 40 years. No, doesn't ring a bell? Not with me either. They also had a radio show and television specials. Lowell Lundstrom produced more than 60 records. What's relevant here is that they produced a record in support of their Wilderness Christmas television special, and that's what I am sharing. This one is of interest because Lowell and his family speak on the record and even the young children "sing". This isn't really my cup of tea but I have received email from a couple of readers who listen to Christmas music with their grandchildren. This may be just perfect for children to listen along with. In my opinion, this record includes possibly the worst Christmas song that I have ever heard, and I am literally surrounded by bad Christmas music! I will let you judge. Please come back after you listen and let me know what you think. These are not broken into tracks, just sides, this way you can hear the record as intended with all of the family chatter. 

The Lundstrom's Wilderness Christmas

Happy Candlemas!

Did you think I was going to say Happy Groundhog Day? Today is February 2nd, and that means that Punxsutawney Phil comes outside to tell us whether we will have 6 more weeks of winter. Sounds really American doesn't it? Well, it comes from Germany, like much of our Christmas tradition. Candlemas is a Catholic holiday that comes 40 days after Christmas and marks the end of the Christmas season. Why 40 days later, you ask? This is the Feast of the Purification of The Virgin. According to Jewish law the Mother of a "man child" is considered unclean for 7 days, and she remains for 3 and 30 days "in the blood of her purification." Sheesh, no wonder we don't hear much about this. As the name implies, this is also the day that Catholics, and Orthodox Christians, have their candles blessed for use in the home.

More relevant to we American Christmas fans, Candlemas Eve marks the date to remove all greenery. It is said that each remaining piece of greenery after this date represents a goblin you will encounter during the year! If you keep your Christmas tree up throughout January and your friends and neighbors scoff at you, let them no that everything stays up 'till Candlemas Eve!

So, what's up with the Groundhog thing? Well, back in old Germany, Catholics have a tradition of watching for the hedgehogs shadow as a prognosticator of winter's end. They brought that tradition along with Christmas trees and candles and Christmas carols, etc. Just like with those other German traditions the Americans added the fireworks and hoopla.

Christmas Eve Favorites

Hello everybody and special thanks to my wife for getting me the perfect turntable for Christmas. So here we have Christmas Eve Favorites from The Longines Symphonette Society. LSS released a lot of music, often times without much info, and I don't see much being offered for share. I am sharing a good one here. Montovani is credited as the musical director and we can assume that means that he is conducting the orchestra, maybe even his own orchestra? This is a beautiful record and I am particularly interested in who the singers might be. When I heard the second track, Mister Santa, I thought immediately of the Mike Sammes Singers. I know at least one of you out there is wondering, why I think so.

So here goes... the Mike Sammes Chorus, sang background vocals in the U.K. in the 60s. They also recorded with Montovani in the States, including the album for Kismet, and a set of Christmas songs in 1963. The Christmas release was called Christmas Greetings From Montovani And His Orchestra, it was re-released in 1979. Kismet was released in 64. None of the songs from the 63 release, (aside form DTH), appear on the one I am sharing. It makes sense that either they recorded the others at the time or got together at a later date specifically for LSS. So here we may have a record that is not credited to Mike Sammes Singers but sure sounds like them to me. This is certainly not Mike Sammes Singers music, so it is difficult to compare, but if you have heard them over at FaLaLaLaLa let me know what you think of my hypothesis.

Christmas Eve Favorites

The Sound Of Children At Christmas

So, now, here is my first official share. As I have mentioned in an earlier post, I bought this record for the cover. When I go hunting for Christmas records I am looking for a few different things. Those things include, artists, songs, specific albums, covers and condition of the vinyl. Rarely do I find "that perfect" record. I bought this for the cover and I do not normally like child choirs. I will post them because I know some people really like this sort of thing. There are some nice surprises on this record. First, I actually enjoy listening to this, not every track, but it would indeed be rare for me to like every track on a record. The other great thing here for me is the song The Sleigh. I had never heard it before I put this on the turntable, and currently, The Sleigh is my favorite Christmas song. Enjoy, and please come back as I will be posting at least one new record each week throughout the year.

The Sound Of Children At Christmas

Rest In Peace

Hello dear friends, I hope that you have all had a Merry Christmas season. If you have returned to Big Balls Of Holly to hear a vintage Christmas record, I have no record to post today. Sadly, on December 22 my friend Jim lost his mother, Catherine. Today I am writing to Jim.

Jim, I feel your sorrow. Though I have never met your mother, I know her well. I know her because we have been friends these many years. I know her because we have shared gaiety and grief, laughter and silence, prelude and crescendo. I knew her when we traded jokes in Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop in Old New Orleans. I knew her when we played pinball in Chicago during prohibition. I know her because I have listened to you sing, because I have heard her songs, because you sculpt with your father's hands and with your mother's clay. Without your mother there is no photo on the album cover. Without your mother there are no phones in Metairie, Louisiana! Without your mother I am just pouring my tea onto the table.

Jim, your next Christmas will be your first Christmas. Christmas will be a time of reflection, when you thoughts will dwell on your mother and your loss, but does that make Christmas a time for sadness? It is my wish for you that what is important at Christmas come more sharply into focus and what is less important fade away and that your memories of your mother bring joy to you always.

Merry Christmas!

What's that, you say? It isn't Christmas yet here in the States? Well, It is noon on Christmas Day in Japan. Merry Christmas Jason and Asami. Do you know that Santa Kurohsu has eyes on the back of his head for watching how children behave? Perhaps Daikoku or Hotei-osho will bring you luck! Today I am posting a few links to fun Christmas sites. The first is called Is It Christmas? If you have been visiting this site you know that the excitement is building! Here is a Xmas tree made entirely of Mountain Dew cans. Next, cool photos of Xmas lights being used in more personal ways. Here is a neat link to a hand bell game, try to keep up with the tune, play with your kids. Here is an astonishing light show coordinated to music, (when will someone put one of these together without completely ruining the song), still cool though. And, finally, a big thank you to my wife for finding this website, The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely. Lord Likely reminds me that I have not posted a link to my favorite non-Christmas website, boasting the most extensive collection of images and information on Victorian-era robots.   

Christmas Record Cover Art... The Spirit Of Christmas

Here is another cover that I want to share with everyone. I gotta say, that does look like the Spirit of Christmas, doesn't it. The beautiful golden haired mother, with perfect skin, aiding her cherubic daughter in fastening the fresh cut fir to the young girl's sled. Oh, you know they are singing as they pull together through the birch and conifer woodlands, back to the old family farmhouse where grand mama has put out the bread sticks wrapped in bacon. Gaily singing Winter Wonderland and I Wonder As I Wander. Here is a different version of The Sleigh, not from the album with that little choral girl but since I've never heard it I wanted to post it for listening.

The Sleigh

Christmas Record Cover Art... Christmas With McGriff

Here's the next cover that I want to share. Now, let me go back and talk about the previous one. The song The Sleigh is awesome and that record is my new favorite child choir record. Of course, I don't normally like child choir records, so that may not be saying much. Anywho, the song sounded Russian to me, and turns out, it is. I am sure that all of the choral pros are laughing at my ignorance. Written in 1926, it's a choral standard. The old download is no good but here is a link to an old post on Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else. As for the record pictured here, I will let the back art scan speak for itself, amazing...

Christmas Record Cover Art

I am sharing some of my favorite Christmas album covers with you. Some time in January when I get my new equipment I will start posting Christmas music for sharing through the magic of digital download. I am going to share this record of children's music, but I just had to get the image up on the blog. Isn't that just the most darling Christmas choir girl? What song was she singing when the photo was snapped, looks like she singing "La", doesn't it? Probably Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la? I gotta say that blowing out the candles was smart, never get the camera to focus with those things burning. Also, who the heck are Hugo and Luigi, famous composers, a pair of studio execs at RCA who love Christmas music? Now, I like to think that I know a lot of Christmas song titles, maybe even the majority of them, but there is a song here called "The Sleigh". I don't know that one and it's cool to get a surprise. I will play it after I post this. Like Ernie often says, "I bought this one for the cover art." I guess I will find out now, and you can find out in January if it's worth listening to. Oh yes, I said January, my plan is to post at least one record for share each week of the year. I do hope to see a lot of you around throughout the year. 

Christmas Giving

Happy Holidays everyone! This is a special post today. You see, because I'm crazy for Christmas, people like to ask; "Danatello, what do you need for Christmas?" The truth is I found everything that I need in life the day that I met Amanda, December 19, 2000. Today I want to tell you about a couple of special websites. I learned about them from 2 BBOH readers; my friend Sheila in Brooklyn, and Uncle Dan in Illinois.

First, Uncle Dan wrote to tell me about a super cool website for disabled folks. In our family we have both mental and physical disabilities. The website is called Ouch! I am embarrassed to admit that I had not considered that disabled people may be visiting this blog, for shame! I am linking to the Christmas page, but be sure to read the about page also, thanks.

Sheila writes to tell me the sad tale of her friend's son Liam. Liam, along with hundreds of kids per year in the U.S., has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. That's a form of pediatric cancer. Historically funding for pediatric cancer research has been low. This year the parents have gotten together and baked 8,000 dozen cookies in order to fund research. As I write this, all the cookies have been sold! (Darn, I have to learn to type faster.) Selling all of those cookies was incredible, but there is still more to do. Please visit the Cookies For Kids' Cancer website and learn more about how you can help. Here is a link to Liam's blog. Here's a song for Liam, Merry Christmas.

Little Drummer Boy, Living Strings Living Voices

Early Christmas Recordings

I put together a compilation of some of the earliest Christmas recordings. These all date to before 1920 and were recorded on the Edison Wax Cylinders. They are available on-line, but for those of you who have not searched the databases of cylinder recordings I am making it easy on you. I have these in iTunes but I do not put them into rotatio on my iPod. They really, really, really slow things down. But, I will tell you, it is a lot of fun to sit around and listen to these altogether. This should give you a feeling of what Christmas was like in Edwardian America. The download is an ice file again for compressing purposes, but I have left the individual song files as mp3's. Hopefully, you will have an easier time opening these. Let me know. Oh, and the information should all be there as far as song title, performer and cylinder number. If not, I will post the info.

Early Christmas Recordings

Track List

Angels From The Realms OF Glory Auld lang Syne Christmas, Christmas, Blessed, Blessed Day God Rest You Merry Gentlemen Night Before Christmas (recital) O Come All Ye Faithful Ring Out The Bells For Christmas Santa Claus Song The First Nowell We Three Kings Of Orient Are

Santa-Gram (1953)

Speaking of eBay, here is something unusual I picked up last week? It looks like a 7" 45 rpm record, but is actually a 6" 78 rpm record. It's pretty neat. It's a record of Santa Claus delivering a personal Christmas wish, in this case, to someone named Ralphie. On the record Santa actually says Hello Ralphie! At the end of the record Santa must get on with his business but he sings and asks all listening to sing along to Jingle Bells. I don't know when I will be able to share it but here are the scans. The record is one-sided. The other side has the Zodiac signs? Soooo nifty! Does anyone know more about them? King? Ernie? Captain? Anybody?

 

eBay Alert!... Spincraft Heirloom Treestand

I realize that I am putting this alert out a bit late, but let's talk about this anyway. The Spincraft Company in New Berlin, Wisconsin manufactured these items in the 50s and 60s. I will get the exact dates and add them later in an update. There are tree stands that rotate and there are tree stands that play music, but the marquis product is the "Heirloom Treestand". It rotates a full 360 so that you and your neighbors can see all of the trimmings. It also plays a Silent Night and Jingle Bells through a Swiss music box. To ensure your lights do not get tangled there are 3 outlets on the top of the stand equally spaced. When they are shiny and glittery they sell for more than 300 smackers. The one up for bid right now is cool, but not great. None the less, should sell right at about $200. In July this one would be half that. So, if you are following these alerts, and actually buying these items you are getting close to being able to host a proper mid-century Christmas party. You have your aluminum tree in your Heirloom rotating stand hung with bubble lights and mercury glass ornaments. You have a rotating color wheel changing the color of the aluminum as your tree spins and you are listening to old records through your iPod, which has the Yule Log screensaver. Out front you have your 1968 Empire blow mold Santa or Frosty.

Link to Auction: Current price: $167.50 Final $228.01

Gloucestershire Wassail

Wassail! wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
With the wassailing bowl , we'll drink to thee.

Here's to our horse, and to his right ear,
God send our master a happy new year:
A happy new year as e'er he did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek
Pray God send our master a good piece of beef
And a good piece of beef that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

Here's to our mare, and to her right eye,
God send our mistress a good Christmas pie;
A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

So here is to Broad Mary and to her broad horn
May God send our master a good crop of corn
And a good crop of corn that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear
Pray God send our master a happy New Year
And a happy New Year as e'er he did see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

Here's to our cow , and to her long tail,
God send our master us never may fail
Of a cup of good beer : I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.

Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best
Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest
But if you do draw us a bowl of the small
Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.

Be here any maids? I suppose here be some;
Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone!
Sing hey O, maids! come trole back the pin,
And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.

Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock
Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin
For to let these jolly wassailers in.

Gloucestershire Wassail, The Boston Camerata

ADVENTure In Downloading

I first discovered that there were people who love Christmas music the way that I do when I came across a website a couple of years ago. That website is called Falalalala.com. I found all kinds of downloads there, and I noticed something interesting. The author, The King of Jingaling, was converting record albums and making them available for download. Well, now, here I am, embarking on a digital journey of my own. Today I am posting my first compilation for download. For the past 3 years the King has been posting a compilation of his seasonal downloads. He calls those comps ADVENTure In Carols. In order to test my ability I am posting a, um, well, I'm posting a compilation of my favorite songs from the King's compilations. I hope he thinks that's cool, and not actionable.

My Favorite Songs From ADVENTure In Carols

Track List

Deck The Halls - The Glad Singers, Santa's Coffee - Billy Beau, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Hiltonaires with The Tony Mansell Singers, Winter Wonderland - Peter Woods Singers, Be A Santa - Living Voices, Santa's Birthday - Caroleer Singers & Orchestra, Space Age Santa - Hal Bradley Ochestra, The Christmas Song - The Ray Bloch Singers, Santa's On His Way - The Town Pipers, A Ride On Santa's Sleigh - Peter Wood Singers and Orchestra, What A Land Santa Land - Don Elliott Orchestra, Ho Ho Ho - Lawrence Welk And His Champaigne Orchestra, Jing-A-Ling-A-Ling - Wayne King And His Orchestra, Little Stowaway On Santa's Sleigh - The Golden Orchestra, Christmas Rush - The Ambassador Chorale And Players

Featured Blog!... Hi-Fi Holiday

There are lot of great sharity blogs that I need to feature. Hi-Fi Holiday recently shared The John Gary Christmas Album. Three songs from that share are going onto my year round iPod mix. Hi-Fi is also sharing Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer And Rudolph's Second Christmas. When you go to Hi-Fi Holiday make sure you read about the talent on the Rudolph record. Hi-Fi always posts something interesting, this is quality if not quantity.

Featured Blog!... bongobells

bongobells is another great Christmas music sharity site. This week there are a couple of cool things happening over there. First, bongolong puts together compilations and I love it when someone takes the time to put together something like that. Pictured at the left is the new comp which features 21 versions of Sleigh Ride. Now, I realize that I refer to a lot of songs as being one of my favorites, but Sleigh Ride is one of my favorites. bogolong did not include a couple of versions that I really enjoy so I will post them here for you to listen to. The Mel Torme includes all that crazy scat stuff and the voice of Andy Williams, as President Reagan said, is a national treasure.  The second cool thing happening at bongobells is The Cinnamon Bear! That's what Christmas entertainment is all about. Families used to gather around the radio to listen to a special show that had a continuing story from Thanksgiving right up till Christmas. Here's a link to the Cinnamon Bear page at Radio Archives so you can read more if you like.

Sleigh Ride, Andy Williams

Sleigh Ride, Mel Torme