Carol of the Drum/The Little Drummer Boy. One song, two titles. Here's my 2006 post which explains it all, or at least tries to: Carol of the Little Drummer Boy.
Basically, before it was semi-stolen by Harry Simeone, The Little Drummer Boy was Carol of the Drum. The earliest Drum recording I know of is the Trapp Family Singers' marvelous 1952 performance. (Yes, the Sound of Music people, in real life.) The next-earliest version I'm aware of is the Moody Chorale's on the Word label, which is probably a 1956 recording. I say "probably," because the Moody LP is mentioned in the Jan. 12, 1957 Billboard as a new release, making late 1956 the likely studio date. It appears to predate the 1957 Testor Chorus, Jack Halloran, and St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir sides.
These sides are in today's zip file. Also included is the surprisingly outstanding Peter Pan label knock-off, which we have in both mono (its original 45 rpm issue) and stereo (an LP reissue on the Tiara label). Two more versions complete the playlist.
Notice the three-part harmony on the Trapp Family side, along with the very brisk tempo. Second-fastest is the Peter Pan/Tiara version. The Harry Simeone 1958 recording (not included here) proceeds pretty quickly, too--the Halloran, less so. Finding a pattern here? I'm not!
I believe I have a Tops label knock-off, as well, but the question is where. And the answer is, somewhere in the vastness of the Media Room....
To the drum-athon: Carol of the Drum-athon
CAROL OF THE DRUM (Katherine K. Davis)--Trapp Family Singers, 1952.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--Jack Halloran Singers, 1957.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir, 1957.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--The Testor Chorus, 1957.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--The Moody Chorale, Dir. by Don Hustad, prob. 1956.
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY--Peter Pan Caroleers, prob. 1958.
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY--Same, in stereo.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--Seeburg Background Music Systems, year unknown.
CAROL OF THE DRUM--Capital Chapel Choir, 1968. (Capital Univ., Bexley OH)
Lee
7 comments:
Another great post! Thank you.
Do you have any more details concerning the Trapp Family version?
The earliest reference I could find is an ad in the Dec. 10, 1955 issue of Billboard for the album, "Christmas with the Trapp Family Singers" - Vol 1 (Decca DL 9553). This contains their version of the "Carol of the Drum." Hower, I know that Decca reissued their recordings several times.
Lee, This song has inspired numerous jazz musicians, also. Both Kenny Burrell and the Soulful Strings recorded memorable versions of this song in 1966 and 1968 respectively. On the flip side, Garrison Keillor savaged this song a few years back on "Prairie Home Companion." I admit to having felt both ways about this modern-day Christmas classic. But it sure lends itself to swinging. By the way, I discovered an incredible version of "March of the Toys" by Tommy Dorsey, recorded in 1939. Keep alternating between Christ-mas and Christ-mess. Love your blog.
Aieee!! You would ask me that. (-:
I don't remember the exact details, so I'll give a quick sketch off the top of my noggin. "Carol" was recorded for Deutsche Grammophon between 1951-53, and it appeared in the U.S. on Decca in 1953 on a two-part 45 rpm EP set. I'd bet the farm there was a corresponding 10-inch set of at least two parts. Then, in 1955, came the 12" two-parter.
If you want, I can retrace my steps in greater detail. I do remember nailing the year as 1952 via cross-dating. As you know, Decca reissued "Drum" in 1959, hoping to benefit from the 1958 Simeone rip-off (which in turn was swiped from the 1957 Jack Halloran version!).
Anyway, I have some data stashed away here and there. I keep planning to become better organized....
David,
"Christ-mess"! Excellent.
I've never heard that Dorsey track, but I just know it's terrific. Dorsey was in a class with Paul Whiteman and Freddy Martin when it came to "jazzing" the pop classics. (To use that quaint old term.)
Slim,
Actually, to make life more confusing, Decca DL 9553 appears to have been a 1952 or 1953 issue itself! Meaning, no 10-inch issue--it went right to 12". U.S. Decca had a weird (read: inconsistent) numbering system. Note that the Billboard ad lists both Vols. 1 (Decca CL 9553) & 2 (Decca DL 9689), which may explain the 1955 date.
Several on-line library listings date DL 9553 as either 1952 or "c. 1952."
Hold the press! My copy of Vol. 2 (DL-9689) gives a copyright date of 1953 on the front cover, lower r.h. corner. So, DL-9553 (Vol. 1) would have the same copyright date or earlier. It depends on the source for the 12-inchers--i.e., if they were (as I suspect) reissues of the 45 rpm EP sets, using the same cover designs.
Lee,
Thank you so much for taking the time to check the details for me.
Have a great Sunday!,
Slim
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