Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas with Waldo de los Rios

Waldo de los Rios, according to Wikipedia, was an Argentine composer, conductor and arranger. He passed away in 1977, just a few years after he recorded and released this album, Christmas with Waldo de los Rios (aka "Navidad Con Waldo de Los Rios") for Hispa-Vox (Capitol in North America). Rios was known for adapting classical music into a contemporary (for the time) easy-listening style and his interpretations here of yuletide classics are no different — soft drums, bass guitar, and whispering flutes (mostly carrying the melody) accompany a soft orchestral sound, all drenched in copious reverb.

The effect is both swank and funky — definitely a departure from albums previous shared here at HFH. Imagine if Johnny Harris had arranged a Christmas album, it might sound something like this!

Before you grab the download be sure to sample "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" below.



Please enjoy: Christmas with Waldo de los Rios

10 comments:

  1. I LOVE this album. It really needs to see a wider re-release. There is a CD that was released somewhere (can't remember if it was Venezuela or Argentina). I keep trying to find myself one of those.

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  2. Hi Chad - there's no vocals, it's purely instrumental.

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  3. Hi Ryan,Thanks for your reply.

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  4. Thanks Ryan! By coincidence, I was scouring the internets for this album just the day before you posted it. I ended up finding it but I'm going to download yours as well because I love the album so much.
    I agree with the King, this needs to see a wide release so more ears can enjoy it's lushness!

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  5. Ryan thanks for the good work you're doing on this site.I have a favor to ask.please, can you provide a chrismas album or collection with the following songs+ Vocal for me?.

    1) O Come, All Ye Faitfull
    2) The First Noel
    3) God Rest Ye Merry,Gentlemen
    4) Angels We Have Heard On High
    5) Silent Night
    6) Deck The Hall
    7) We Wish You A Merry Chrismas
    8) The Twelve Days Of Chrismas
    9) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
    10) Joy To The World
    11) Away In A Manger
    12) We Three Kings Of Orient Are 13) Ding Dong Merrily On High
    14) The Little Drummer Boy
    15) Once In Royal David City
    16) While Sheperds Watch Their Flocks By Night.

    it may not contian all the songs I listed. Will really appreciate it,if you can help.THANKS

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  6. Merry Christmas Ryan!
    Thanks for this very Seasonal effort:)
    I have always wanted to find more lush Christmas music along the lines of Jackie Gleason.
    Waldo fills the bill, and really helps un-fray my nerves:))

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