Search - Various Artists :: Big Band Christmas

Swinging Christmas

Irving Parke-Rhode | Chicago, IL USA | 11/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had this for a few years now and it's one I play often. I enjoy it so much I researched the tracks since there aren't any liner notes. Here's some background on this great disc:

The Christmas Song-Les Brown & Doris Day, this 8/29/46 recording went to #12 on the charts in 1947.

I Want You For Christmas-Russ Morgan, this Brunswick recording dates from 10/20/37.

I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm-Red Norvo & Mildred Bailey, this Brunswick single was recorded 1/8/37 and went to #11 on the charts.

There's Frost on the Moon-Artie Shaw & Peg La Centra, another Brunswick release, recorded 10/30/36, hit #10 on the charts.

White Christmas-Harry James & Marion Morgan. This dates from 10/22/46.

Winter Weather-Benny Goodman with Peggy Lee & Art Lund, recorded 11/27/41. Climbed to #24 on the charts in 1942.

Little Jack Frost Get Lost-Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes, recorded in 1947.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer-Lester Lanin & His Orchestra. Lanin was a leading bandleader for NY/East Coast society affairs. This recording is from his 1959 "Christmas Dance Party" LP for the Epic label.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town-Sammy Kaye & the Kaydets, this dates from 1952.

Sleigh Ride-Tex Beneke, this is from a recording made by the alumni of the Glenn Miller band in 1965. Beneke, Ray Eberle and The Modernaires with Paula Kelly all participated, and the album was called "Christmas Serenade in the Glenn Miller Style."

Christmas Night in Harlem-Lester Lanin, another cut from his 1959 album.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Tex Beneke, another track from the 1965 album.

Happy Holidays-Elliot & Cathy Lewis with Ray Noble, probably the least likely track to make it to CD. This comes from a 78 album called "Happy Holidays: A Musical Story" recorded in 1947 but not released until 1949. An early concept album it told the story of a couple's romance over the course of 8 sides on a 4

(78rpm) record set. Elliot Lewis was a major player in radio-actor, producer, director & writer. CBS dubbed him "Mr. Radio." Cathy was his wife, a well known actress herself.

A good companion disc to this is Christmas on the Bandstand, and that one DOES come with liner notes."

A "Must Have" Big Band Christmas CD

KJC | Columbus, OH USA | 07/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You won't find any "overplayed" selections on this CD. However, because most of the songs are holiday favorites, you will feel the coziness of home at Christmas time. A recent liking to winter weather songs earned "There's Frost On The Moon," "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Little Jack Frost Get Lost" and of course "Winter Weather" favorite positions. If you like big band or vintage Christmas melodies, then this is a "must have" holiday CD. One negative aspect of the CD - no liner notes - was taken care of by another reviewer when he posted the recording dates. In addition, although there are no sacred songs, the festive sounds certainly make up for it. If you can purchase this CD for $10 or less, you won't be disappointed! A good bottle of scotch, a roaring fire and this CD will warm you on a chilly winter's night."