Alcoa Singers: An old-fashioned Christmas

Tonight's share is an interesting one, and one that I was thrilled to acquire from a local record store in the process of closing up shop (the owner was retiring, and all stock [except for a few that he was holding back to sell on Discogs] was 70% off on the day I found this).  

The Alcoa Singers, a choral group of employees of Alcoa, was first formed in 1961, according to  internet resources.  This album, "An old-fashioned Christmas", features 11 Christmas favorites performed by the chorus.  However, the headlining songs are eight numbers from "The Stingiest Man in Town".  

Alcoa has a long history with "The Stingiest Man in Town".  In 1956, Alcoa was the presenting sponsor of a television presentation of "The Stingiest Man in Town", starring Basil Rathbone as Scrooge, and also featuring Vic Damone and the Four Lads.  This was the first musical adaption of "A Christmas Carol", and also a very early color television broadcast (probably before there were many television sets that were capable of color reception).

Alcoa kept ties with "The Stingiest Man in Town" over the years, and songs from the production became staples of the Alcoa Singers' repertoire.  In 1979, this album was released, featuring the Singers' performances of highlights from the musical, and the collection of other holiday favorites.  

I had no idea that "The Stingiest Man in Town" had a life before Rankin-Bass.  We never stop learning about our Christmas musical history!

Please enjoy The Alcoa Singers "An old-fashioned Christmas"

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