Christmas Music

[Late]

2 hours ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

Urbie Green's "A Cool Yuletide" is pretty awesome.

Yes!!

[Late]

A few years back, Real Gone Music had a Christmas album reissue campaign (think Andre Kostelanetz, George Melachrino, Jack Jones)—mainly albums from the 50's and 60's—that brought back vintage holiday music from the Lp days onto compact disc. I've noticed that some of these titles are now out-of-print and going for absurdly high prices on the used market.

What Christmas albums from the 50's and 60's did you listen to back in the day, and what do you recommend? I always liked the Firestone holiday albums, even if some tracks were fairly tepid. I think my family had 2 or 3 of the volumes.

[Ed S]

I fondly remember those Firestone records, and while some of the stuff was pretty lame, the memories I have of those Christmas songs being played at Christmas time as a kid are not.

A few albums I enjoyed then and have CDs of now are the Nat King Cole  - The Christmas Song, Christmas with Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell - That Christmas Feeling, and Harry Belafonte - To Wish You A Merry Christmas.

[mikeweil]

On 11/15/2025 at 5:58 AM, Late said:

 

One of my all-time favorite Christmas albums. Dorothy Ashby is such a badass.

Is there any info about the rhythm section?

Cleveland Eaton on bass? Henry Gibson on congas?

It is really very nice, but copies go for high prices.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

When I was a kid, my parents played Mitch Miller & the Gang's "Holiday Sing Along With Mitch" quite a bit. I remember singing along with my family, although singing might not be the right word... more like screaming along with Mitch.

[Late]

40 minutes ago, mikeweil said:

Is there any info about the rhythm section?

Cleveland Eaton on bass? Henry Gibson on congas?

It is really very nice, but copies go for high prices.

I just read through the liner notes, and there's no designated listing of personnel. That said, certain players are mentioned. They are:

Richard Evans: arranger
Cleveland Eaton: cello (!)
Dorothy Ashby: harp
Phil Upchurch: guitar
Bobby Christian: vibes
Lenard Druss: flute, English horn
Ron Steele: sitar
"Uncredited": drums & conga

(Note: Druss does spell his first name "Lenard" as opposed to the more common "Leonard.")

Full album

Claude Thornhill's "Snowfall" is covered.👌

 

12 hours ago, Ed S said:

I fondly remember those Firestone records...

Me too (from those I've heard). My favorite track was Jack Jones on "This Is That Time of The Year," which (if I'm not mistaken) was written expressly for the Firestone release.