1957 is the release year for this LP, but Tops only knows when the tracks themselves were recorded. Frosty, in particular, sounds much earlier. In fact, I just checked, and it's Bud Roman's version, from Tops 309 (c. 1950), which I have on 78. Good job, ears. (Ah, I also have it on a 7" Tops for Tots single.)
Another pre-1957 track is the gloriously tacky Santa Claus Is Riding Through the Sky , which came out on a number of different labels in addition to Tops, including Wonderland, Crown, and Treasure, though the title is usually Santa Claus is Flying Through the Sky. Tops is just keeping us on our toes.
My rip sounds great, if you ask me, and the tracklist just flows along, despite the cobbled-together nature of the collection. Of all the bargain-basement labels of its day, Tops probably had the most conventional looking covers--i.e., covers that resemble those put out by "real" outfits. The snowy-white jacket border, by the way, is my doing, and with Paint software, no less. I enlarged the image as much as the program permitted, and then I cut out the browned edges, leaving a white area.
Wow, I just noticed that Tops sprung for two commas in the jacket playlist--impressive! I hope no one got fired over that....
To the music: Christmas Favorites--Tops O. and Cho.
WHITE CHRISTMAS
SILENT NIGHT
DECK THE HALLS
RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
JOY TO THE WORLD
IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN
WINTER WONDERLAND
O, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
JINGLE BELLS
SANTA CLAUS IS RIDING THROUGH THE SKY
THE FIRST NOEL
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
AWAY IN A MANGER
GOOD KING WENCESLAUS
Christmas Favorites--Tops Orchestra and Choristers (Tops L-1525; 1957)
Lee
Wow, I just noticed that Tops sprung for two commas in the jacket playlist--impressive! I hope no one got fired over that....
To the music: Christmas Favorites--Tops O. and Cho.
WHITE CHRISTMAS
SILENT NIGHT
DECK THE HALLS
RUDOLPH, THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
JOY TO THE WORLD
IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN
WINTER WONDERLAND
O, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
JINGLE BELLS
SANTA CLAUS IS RIDING THROUGH THE SKY
THE FIRST NOEL
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
AWAY IN A MANGER
GOOD KING WENCESLAUS
Christmas Favorites--Tops Orchestra and Choristers (Tops L-1525; 1957)
Lee
5 comments:
You'd be my hero if you could put names to all those anonymous performers on the Tops/Crown/Pickwick/Etc releases.
You have made my 2011 Christmas wish come true with this 1957 Tops album of Christmas tunes. I had this one as a kid, (yes, I am of a certain age) and truly have enjoyed listening to it again.
Happy Holdays!
Same to you!
I just received this album from an ebay auction. Had it as a child and have been looking for it for years. The quality of the LP is excellent and I have copied it onto a CD for more convenient play. There is one song on this record that I've never heard anywhere else in my life -- Santa Claus is Riding Through the Sky. Have not heard that in 50+ years, but the moment it began to play I started singing along word for word. Funny the things that comes back to us. :)
Exactly. We never know what we've got tucked into the far corners of our memory!
Trivia: It's possible Enoch Light produced "Santa Claus is Riding (a.k.a. Flying)." I'm not sure, but I've seen him credited for it. The chances are quite good.
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