They said it couldn't be done. I'm not sure who "they" were, or what "they" said couldn't be done, but I know I did this. "This" being Jingle Bells-athon, Part 4.
(No, I'm not typing this under the influence of sinus meds. Why do you ask?)
Anyway, I have twenty-three versions for your listening overdose. And I'd better upload all photos now, lest they refuse to upload later on in the text:
The Cricket label Jingle Bells (above) turned up in my latest thrift haul, and I figured a listenable file just wasn't going to happen. If you could see the entire, semi-destroyed disc, you'd know what I'm talking about. And, yet, the file came out halfway good. I mean, well.
You gotta love that chintzy label. By which we see that this record was enjoyed in Room 5. Far out.
Pickwick Sales Corporation. One of THE vinyl metaphors for "cheap."
You've seen a couple of the pictures. Now to hear the sounds. Simply click on this link to get to the "Jingle Bells"-athon folder--and Jingle download away. My goal is drive everything stark, raving mad. I'm already there. The melody, I could hear forever, but it's those cursed bells! Those BELLS!! AIEEEEE!!
Just kidding. Can't get enough of them. Anyway, here's the list:
Jingle Bells Medley--The Singing Dogs, 1955. From RCA Victor 45.
Version from The Magnificent Music of Christmas (Westerfield 1006).
Dennis Day. (Pickwick strikes again!)
Frank Sinatra (1946), from Columbia LP.
Frank Sinatra with Gordon Jenkins (1957), from Capitol label.
Japanese 33 and 1/3 EP.
Jim Nabors (from A Christmas Remembrance)
John Eastman (from International Award label LP)
Julie Andrews with Andre Previn Orchestra. From Happy Holidays, Vol. 13 (True Value, 1978).
Kate Smith. (Pickwick)
Kitty Wells and The Jordanaires (1962), from LP.
Lawrence Welk Orchestra (1957), Coral label.
Mills Brothers. (1972 Goodyear comp.)
Norman Luboff Choir (1964), from RCA Victor LP.
Paul Revere and the Raiders (1967) (From various-artists LP, A Rockin' Christmas)
Royale Concert Orchestra, from Golden Tone/Rondo-lette/Whatever label LP.
Santa's Friends (from 7" Cricket 78 in UBR (("used to be a record")) condition)
The Mom and Dads (1972), from LP.
The Roy-Cliffs (from Gateway label 78. Hyper-cheap!)
The Sanborn Singers (courtesy of Amway Corporation), from Sounds of Christmas (Amway, 1974).
The Soulful Strings (1968) (From Cadet label LP)
Usual Lee Wong and Granny (Jerry Thomas), from 45 on Obscurity label.
Jingling Brass, Danny Davis/Nashville Brass. From Goodyear collection.
My favorites from this bunch: Lawrence Welk, Norman Luboff, Singing Dogs, Royale Concert O., Julie Andrews, Santa's Helpers.
Not so favorite: Paul Revere, Granny.
More Christmas sounds to come....
Lee
11 comments:
I knew you could do it, Lee! You continue to amaze me.
I may have enough versions of this tune to make a whole mp3 CD! :)
BTW, there's a neat option to DL all the files as one ZIP file at Box.net which is great and saves me the headache of DLing them individually. I always download all the songs in the folder because if I don't, I find myself wanting the songs next Christmas and then kicking myself for not grabbing them. Makes sense, in my own twisted way. LOL
Hi Lee! Is it me or is the Eastman Music the SAME as the Dennis Day recording ? It is to my ears, and I hear it clear as Dennis Day !
Byron, enjoyin' the Bell-a-Thon.
Stephen and Lynda,
Thanks for the nice words. The zip file option definitely makes sense for posts like this one. I'll have to figure out how to utilize it--should be easy enough.
I'm sure Box.net has made it a snap to use. I mean, a zip.
Lee
Byron,
I don't think it's the same one, but I'll listen back, just to be sure. You may be onto something!
Lee
Lee, glad you're trying to zip. Personally, I've found that zip files are only space saving if there's a lot of redundant info in the file. I've tried zipping some files, and there was a space saving of a whopping One Percent.
And again thanks for the Glen Miller Jingle Bells.
Lee, actually it's quite easy to make a ZIP file of the folder. Box.net does it for you - just click on the little down arrow (or whatever it is) next to the folder's title and a drop down menu will appear. Select the option "Zip folder" and in a few moments, depending on the size, a pop-up window will appear offering you the choice of saving or downloading.
Hi, Lee.
Thanks for sharing your pastime and thoughts with us. Record collectors are such a cultural resource. Too bad record collectors used to have shows on public radio and now so many places they've been replaced by a syndicated "American Roots" show...but I digress.
Your collection of Jingle Bells is a real windfall for me, thanks a ton!
I'm up to about 60 versions of Jingle Bells (got 4 more at the Kiwanis Sale today) and I'm compiling a medley of snippets. I estimate that with 8 bars from some and 4 bars from others it would take around 360 versions of Jingle Bells to go for an hour straight. This is very doable.
Love that Soulful Strings version!
Any chance you could repost the Norman Luboff Choir version of Jingle Bells? I'd love to have this version for Christmas this year.
We have 5 45 records. They look a Christmas selection. Would anyone know what they are worth?
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