A & P and Organ and Chimes

Two more for you today on the 22nd.

First up is "Christmas Greetings" from A&P (volume 3).  A&P was (is?) a grocery chain that, like so many grocery and department stores back in the day, released Christmas record collections featuring various artists.  Volume 3 is a 1972 release featuring some really great songs.  Per Tim Neely's book, there were 4 A&P records from 1970-1973.  A&P was not around in my part of the country, so in these parts this record is a rather unusual find.  I'm sure that in other parts of the country it's pretty common.

What caught my attention with this record is the closing song "Here's To You" by Cary Grant.  "Here's To You" was the B-side of "Christmas Lullaby", Cary Grant's 1967 single, and only Chrismas music performance.  "Here's To You", again per Tim Neely, has appeared only on the single and in this A&P collection.

Also catching my attention was "The Christmas Song" performed by Carol Burnett.  It has also appeared on two other collections, but is not something you see or hear every day.

Other great performances round out the record, including tracks by Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, and Lynn Anderson.  Also included is a track by Barbra Streisand.  Barbra doesn't do a thing for me, Christmas music-wise or otherwise, but she has her fans out there.  Der Bingle just isn't one of them. 

A note on the cover art - the repeating Santa motif threw my image stitch application for a loop, so I had to do some manual cutting and pasting to get a workable cover image.  Apologies for poor color blends and other sub-par details in the artwork.

So, please enjoy the terrific collection A&P Christmas Greetings Vol 3.  download link

Next up is "Merry Christmas Carols with Organ and Chimes", performed on the Original Grand Wurlitzer Pipe Organ of Radio City Music Hall.  Now, Der Bingle loves Radio City Music Hall and all Christmassy things related.  So, I like this record a lot.  Generally, I hit a limit on organ/chime carols pretty quick before needing a break.  But this is a pretty good set of 17 songs.  No info on the performer.  Maybe the organ and chimes played themselves at night, ala "Night at the Museum".

Your Radio City fix for the day:  download link

A Side B Surprise

When I was recording this record for sharing, there was an interesting little surprise on side B.  Side A was as expected, following the track list on the label and on the album cover.  Norman Roye playing some quite enjoyable Christmas standards on the organ.  Pretty good stuff. 

Then, on to Side B.

I noticed that the listing on the record label didn't match the album list, but, stranger things have happened.  Then, instead of organ music, there was a male tenor singing Christmas songs.   Hmmm, interesting.  And then came the end of the record.  A little outro by Jack Benny!  The singer, I then identified as Dennis Day.

Side B of this record is the same Side B as on the record "Dennis Day Sings Christmas for the Family", previously shared out by Ernie (link).  Dennis Day is a fine singer, and Jack Benny's bits on the record are very amusing.

Interestingly enough, on the back of the Norman Roye record is a plug for "Christmas for the Family", with the advice "If this isn't in your Christmas album collection, we'd advise getting it now...".  I guess they meant "Hey!  Half of it IS in your Christmas record collection now - you just don't know it yet".

I don't know the story of the record, whether this was a mis-pressing in the factory, or a little joke by the label, or what, but it certainly was a surprise.  A pleasant one, at that.  If anyone does know any details, please share in the comments.

So, please enjoy Side A of Norman Roye and Side B of Dennis Day, plus outro by the great Jack Benny

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Ken Griffin for Friday Morning

Happy Friday!  Before I settle into work today, I thought I'd post out a share to start the day.  Here is a 10" record of fine tunes by Ken Griffin on the organ and chimes.  I like finding these 10" records, and can definitely see why they are the focus over at Buster's place. 

Here are 8 songs performed by Ken Griffin:

Joy to the World
Silent Night
Away in a Manger
The First Nowell
Adeste Fideles
O Little Town of Bethlehem
I'll Be Home for Christmas
White Christmas

Please enjoy "Christmas Carols" by Ken Griffin

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Christmas in July

Here we are, past June 25, closer to Christmas 2011 than Christmas 2010.  At nearly 100 degrees outside in Kansas City, it doesn't feel too Christmassy right now.  But, in the Christmas in July spirit that is present on so many places on the Internet, I have a share or two for you.

First up is an album of Organ and Chimes Music, starring the Original Wurlitzer from Radio City Music Hall.  There's not much information about the album - no artists credited, no orchestras.  Just organ and chimes music from the Radio City Music Hall organ.

There is a lot of organ Christmas music out there, and when it's just the organ, I'm kind of so-so about it.  However, the chimes on these arrangements add a lot to the music, as well as the song selections.  One of my favorite Christmas songs is "The Cherry Tree Carol", so I was glad to see it on this album.  The medley of carols that closes the record is very nice too.

So, please enjoy the unknown musicians on chimes and organ on "Merry Christmas Carols with Organ and Chimes".

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