The first is the fantastic Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (1963, Decca) performed by Wayne King and His Orchestra & Chorus featuring the Wayne Robinson Singers. I've nabbed two tracks from the album for my annual comps - the free-wheeling ode to Christmas shopping, "Jing-a-ling-a-ling", and a just-dramatic-enough rendition of "Carol of the Bells", with steady rhythm kept by low harp plucks. Much of the album, however is mellow ("The Christmas Song", "Winter Wonderland") -- King, like many bandleaders at the time -- knew how to arrange a tune for maximum listening pleasure. Speaking of which, this is one rare Christmas album that plays well all the way through, making it perfect for merry-making without riding the stereo controls.
I realize this album has been posted on other great Christmas music blogs & websites, but I thought my rip of the stereo LP was too good not to share! You'll have to excuse the cover scan -- scanners don't like shrink wrap.
Link after the jump!
Please enjoy: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Wayne King and His Orchestra & Chorus
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My all time Christmas song favorite! One of the best songs!
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize for posting a beautiful album that may have been posted elsewhere. True Christmas music fans will appreciate any new opportunity to hear such a great record. With the Christmas spirit, sharing is key, and no one that previously posted it should feel possesive of the record. The more, the merrier! Thanks much. Also, thanks for your previous albums as well!
ReplyDeleteI can smell the mistletoe! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a Christmas Gift!! - switching from Rapidshare --their nag-screens and wait-times have become unmanageable. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd Thanx for all your work. This is a terrific blog - I've been a fan for a while now.
Wow! What a lovely Christmas Gift! This is one of the Best and Best song forever. Thank you so much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteSounds beautiful even @ 192, I wish I could see that beautiful cover with no plastic to hide it. But ,I wouldnt touch it either too nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, I'm listening to this version of Winter Wonderland as I type this right now - very nice. It's funny, because I'm generally a stickler for high quality artwork in my iTunes, but I actually kind of like the plastic wave thing it's got going on here, haha!
ReplyDeleteI have some Christmas music I would love to share with you, but I can't find a place to contact you on the site. Shoot me an email and I'll get it to you ASAP! Thanks for are the love you put into the restorations.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for this great album. RonH
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG. You will never know what a gift you have given with this album! This was one my father played when I was growing up. I am crying so hard right now. I never see my father because of his second wife.
ReplyDeleteWould you ever consider doing an album for me? I have the "Christmas with Red Barn" album that used to be sold at the old Red Barn restaurants. I would send it to you and pay you to do it. I paid another guy to do it and the result was awful (off of his album) but your sound quality is fantastic! Please let me know at carecare7@msn.com.
THANK YOU so much for this!
Just found your wonderful site! This album is so special to me. And the sound is incredible! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have the album, but can't play it as I don't have a turntable. Where can I get it in a CD?
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