Sunday, December 21, 2025

Holidays with Skitch

Today's share is Winter Holiday by Skitch Henderson with the New York Philharmonic.  Skitch Henderson had a long, renowned career as a pianist, composer, and conductor of pops-style orchestras, including the house orchestra for NBC's Today Show and The Tonight Show, during both the Steve Allen and Johnny Carson eras (preceding Milton DeLugg and Doc Severinsen).



Winter Holiday is an excellent recording, and one could add a 'wink wink' to 'Winter', as the album's sides are songs for a snow holiday (side A) and a sun holiday (side B).  The Snow side includes old favorites "Winter Wonderland", "Moonlight in Vermont", and "Sleigh Ride", and two by Prokofiev, "Winter Holiday" and "Troika". 

Flip to the Sun side for "Caribbean Polka", "Macarenas" (no, not that), "Never On Sunday", and four others.  What a creative approach to a Winter Holiday album!



For our Christmas song enjoyment, the Snow Holiday tracks are exceptional, particularly "Sleigh Ride".  Skitch arranges and conducts expertly, and the New York Philharmonic performs exceptionally.  This is a fine album for your holiday enjoyment.

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