Wednesday, December 14, 2016

A Big Christmas Album for Merv Griffin & TV Family

Merry Christmas 2016! I'm excited to return with a new album to share. The good news I've already matched my output from the each of the past three years — with a single album!

I think this is a good one to do it with too — A Big Christmas Album for Merv Griffin & TV Family (MGM Records SE-4401 / Stereo / 1966), a.k.a. "And a sled.. and a catcher's mitt... and a puppy... and a popgun... and a big Christmas Album for Merv Griffin & TV Family".

This is like Merv Griffin's Christmas Circus of the Musical Stars, with a varied cast of performers include Arthur Treacher ("Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"), David Soul ("Children Go Where I Send Thee"), Gilbert Price ("O Holy Night"), Pat Marand ("Silver Bells") and little Frankie Michaels ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus".) Griffin joins in on several tracks, with the whole thing arranged and conducted by Mort Lindsay, who served as musical director for the Merv Griffin Show from 1962 to 1986.

The album plays quite well with a mix of tempos and tones, from the impish "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", to Arthur Treacher's bleary rendition of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town",  to the rollicking "Children Go Where I Sent Thee". There's something here for every kind of playlist.

While researching the availability of this title I was unable to find any CD or digital release, so go right ahead and grab this one in time for Christmas!

And if I don't see you until next year, Merry Christmas — again!

Enjoy: A Big Christmas Album for Merv Griffin & TV Family

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