HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Wish I had New Year's Eve music, but I do not. Not that I expect anyone is tuning in to this blog seeking sounds for Dec. 31/Jan. 1. No one is saying, "It's just not the old year turning into the new year without some music from Lee's blog."

At least, I hope no one is saying that.

With the arrival of 2012, let us all strive to, um.... I don't know.

I just removed a previous post, which in turn linked to a "text" blog piece about Chris Rodda and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation--a cynical piece, to be sure, and written without nearly enough background on the organization and its goals. I ran off half-cocked. (No, not literally, har, har.) Something I don't do very often, unless once a day is your definition of "very often."

Not all organizations standing up for religious freedom are using that phrase to shield frivolous litigation. Whatever I think of the MRFF's methods--and I don't know enough to judge--, they're responding to very real and serious matters. Which is more than I'm doing by questioning their sincerity.

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR! And look for Sunday Morning Gospel to return, bright and early, on (let's see) the 8th of January! Meanwhile, the twelve days of Christmas are still happening.

Lee

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite in Dance Tempo (1942)

On the seventh day of Christmas, I posted Tchai-kov-sky....

This Freddy Martin EP set first saw life on this blog in Christmas of 2008. And here it is again, with a new rip and a new scan. In fact, the previous image was a photo, so this baby is really stepping up in the blogosphere. I have no idea what I just typed.

Fabulous Ray Austin arrangements of Tchaikovsky's wonderful ballet suite--a suite which remains as masterful and imaginative as when we first heard it 80,000 times ago. And it really shines in this dance band treatment. Heck, it would sound musical played on a rubber-band-and-shoe-box banjo. Arena-rock treatments, however....

Download without delay: Nutcracker Suite in Dance Tempo--Freddy Martin and His Orch.

OVERTURE MINIATURE
MARCH
DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
RUSSIAN DANCE
ARAB DANCE
CHINESE DANCE
DANCE OF THE REED FLUTES
WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS

(RCA EP-3052; Orig. recorded in 1942.)


Lee

The fourth day of Christmas, Pt. 2: Gilbert Girard as Santa Claus (1918)

From my 12" 78 rpm copy. Cool sound effects. Unlike later recordings of this type, these Gilbert Girard-narrated sides don't feature a traditional narration; instead, they're made to sound like real-time audio documents. An odd but charming approach. Now, in case you want these two files to sound more like the Internet norm, simply load them into audio software and max the noise filter until you've got the proper metallic, gurgly, sonar-return effect. I'm always thrilled when someone swipes my shellac rips and destroys them in that manner, and I'm perfectly okay with the lack of credit, since I wouldn't want my name anyplace near the results. Merry Christmas!

To the descriptive specialties with imitations:

Santa Claus Talks About His Toy Shop (Girard)--Gilbert Girard (Victor 35679; 1918)

Santa Claus Gives Away His Toys (Girard)--Same.


Lee

Christmas Medley, 2011

On the fourth day of Christmas, I posted this for thee: Christmas Medley...

Me on the Casio WK-3800, using a variety of voices, with:

Good King Wenceslas
Carol of the Bells
The Holly the Ivy
I Saw Three Ships
O Come, Little Children
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Gather Around
Deck the Hall
Glad Christmas Bells
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
The One Horse Open Sleigh

Click here to hear: Christmas Medley, 2011--Lee Hartsfeld on the Casio

Lee