John Gary wishes you a Merry Christmas! How do I know that? It says so, right on the back of this LP!
Who is John Gary? He was a versatile vocalist (3 whoppin' octaves), born in 1932 who passed away in 1998. While he never achieved the mainstream status of many of his contemporaries, he recorded 23 albums for RCA Victor (see more at Wikipedia), including this gem, The John Gary Christmas Album.
Featuring the soothing vocals of one John Gary, orchestra arranged by Peter Matz and background vocalists, this is a wholly enjoyable little Christmas album. Straight laced, and timeless in that early 1960s mode. All of the standards are here, with a few lesser-known titles like "Little Snow Girl" and "Sweet Little Jesus Boy", beautifully rendered by our new tree-gazing music friend, John Gary.
But wait! Wasn't this released on CD, you ask? It was. In 2000 on Restart Records and now languishing out-of-print. Plus, the version I've uploaded is in Mono (RCA also issued a stereo LP). Consider this the best way to hear this album without taking away sales of an album no longer on sale... (Got that?)
Please enjoy: The John Gary Christmas Album
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8 comments:
Fantastic! Thanks so much.
Hope your Christmas in July is as Merry as mine has been.
Thank you for this album. My mom had this record and I grew up listening to it every Christmas. It brings back wonderful memories.
I"ve never heard this LP, but I grew up with a W. T. Grant's Compilation LP that has him singing "Sweet Little Jesus Boy". It is one of my fondest memories of Christmas music from the 60's listening to my Dad's Lps. Thanks for sharing.
Dave
hey, hi-fi, I am just sitting down to write a post about you and I got to tell you that 3 John Gary songs are going onto my year round ipod mix, thanks.
THANK YOU! Yes, i also grew up with this every Christmas. Dad liked good jazz (yeah!) and Mom liked John Gary, Andy Williams, etc... That said, i have NEVER heard anyone do "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" like John Gary (probably plying guitar for himself) -- a nice mix of jazz-inspired chords and not-too-sentimental strings. Kudos -- and all done both in the spirit and letter of the law!
it would not be christmas without listening to the john gary christmas album it means so much to me to hear little snow girl and sweet little jesus boy.it really makes the season for me.NOTHING brings me back to my childhood christmas quite like this album,this year my dad had it on the record player for me when i got home. thanks sooo much
I just stumbled across your site and I am hooked! To my surprise I see that you have the John Gary Christmas Album! This was a fav of my late Mom. i grew up listening to this album every year. Thank you for the download. I have been searching for this in CD format and have been unsuccessful, sadly. Thank for making this a fabulous Christmas!!
I still have the original album, albeit a bit on the worn and torn side. Thanks to you, I've got a clean sounding memory of footed, winter pj outfits and staring at the tinsel twinkling noble fir. Cheers!
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