Merry Christmas!

My dad had a couple dozen records meant just for this time of year. So I HAD to come back for a Christmas Day music show.

I talked a lot in yesterday's deep dive into the music of the seasonal favorite, The Nutcracker. So we're going to do a lot of listening in this one…and thinking about Christmas dinner pasts.

This four record box set is filled with lots of holiday hits and some songs I’ve never heard before. Its source is one of the most beloved TV hosts and orchestra conductors from my youth.

So get ready to hear that effervescent music from holidays past complete with a longed-for litany of my family’s favorite holiday food items in Volume 252 A Champagne Christmas.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Lawrence Welk And His Champagne Music Makers – Merry Christmas From Lawrence Welk And His Champagne Music Makers Label: Reader's Digest – RDA-07-A Format: 4 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation Box Set Released:1970 Genre: Jazz, Pop, Folk, World, & Country Style: Polka, Easy Listening, Holiday

We will hear 12 songs from the first two records in the box.

Merry Christmas From Our House To Your House 'Twas The Night Before Christmas The Little Drummer Boy Carol Of The Bells The Christmas Song I Wanna Do More Than Whistle High On The Housetop Ho Ho Ho Record Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Here Comes Santa Claus Merry Christmas Day Sleigh Ride

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#merrychristmas #lawrencewelk #champagnemusic

The Nutcracker: Concert Suite vs. Ballet Welcome back and Merry Christmas Eve.

My girlfriend Karen and I partook in a Northcoast Christmas season tradition a week and a half ago for the very first time. And of course, my dad had a record for that.

It’s not a vinyl record, but a shellac album set recorded nearly 100 years ago that probably belonged to my dad’s dad. And it’s filled with music from a US holiday tradition. But if you’ve ever seen the ballet it’s connected to, you’ll notice plenty of music missing.

I’ll tell you why as we go along. In fact, this is going to be a lengthy dive into the difference between the suite and the dance.

So, get ready to hear the most notable themes from a fairytale ballet as Stokowski conducts Tschaikowsky in Volume 251: A Cleveland Ballet Christmas Tradition.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - The Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted By Leopold Stokowski – Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a Label: Victor Red Seal – DM 265 Series: Musical Masterpiece Series Format: 3 x Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Camden Pressing Released: in the mid 1940s, I am not sure of the release of this version. There many of them Genre: Classical Style: Romantic, Ballet

We are listening to all 6 sides of this collection which includes 8 songs.

Overture Miniature Marche Dance Of The Sugar-plum Fairy Russian Dance Arab Dance Chinese Dance Dance Of The Flutes Waltz Of The Flowers

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#nutcracker #christmastradition #tchaikovsky

My Dad's Greatest Hits This will be my last regularly scheduled weekly episode. We’ll talk about that as we go along.

One of the last songs my dad heard in his hospital bed the day he died and the one we played as we wheeled his casket out of the church was the Frank Sinatra song, My Way. It’s how my dad lived his life. And it’s how I will bring this show to a close. I’ll use paraphrased lyrics from the song.

So Yes, the end is near. My friend, I'll say it clear.

Strap in. This is going to be a fun musical ride.

So, get ready to hear 20 songs that had meaning to my father, my family, and me in Volume 250: Fading Out My Way.

Credits and copyrights

Louis Armstrong When The Saints Go Marching In A traditional Tune Opens and Closes (almost) every episode

Lou Monte Pepino The Italian Mouse written by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell Volume 9: Lou Monte and Pepino

Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Whipped Cream Written By – Naomi Neville Volume 98: Whipped Alpert

Henry Mancini Peter Gunn Theme Written by Henry Mancini Volume 242: Mancini's Gunn

Ray Conniff This Is My Song Written By – Charlie Chaplin Volume 76: My Song

Willie Nelson Georgia On My Mind Written By Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell Volume 225: The Standard Stoner

The Sons Of The Pioneers Cool Water written by Bob Nolan Volume 41: Tumbling Tumbleweeds Part 1

Luciano Pavarotti with The National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gian Carlo Chiaramello Torna A Surriento Composed By – Ernesto de Curtis Volume 86: Pavarotti's Greatest Part 1

unknown artist Oh Marie Adapted from Maria Marì written by Eduardo Di Capua, Alfredo Mazzucchi, and Vincenzo Russo Volume 127: Italian Favorites

Roy Meriwether Trio Zipadee Doo Dah composed by Allie Wrubel with lyrics by Ray Gilbert Volume 62: Popcorn and Soul

Kay Kyser And His Orchestra Woody Woodpecker, a Walter Lantz Cartoon With vocal chorus from Gloria Wood. Written by Ramey Idriss, George Tibbles Volume 74: 8 Sides from Columbia

Bing Crosby Running Around in Circles (Getting Nowhere) Written by Irving Berlin Volume 78: Berlin’s Blue Skies

Pete Fountain Farewell Blues written by Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo and Elmer Schoebel Volume 25: Pete Fountain a High Society Fathers Day

Glenn Miller Orchestra Bugle Call Rag Written By – Billy Meyers, Elmer Schoebel, and Jack Pettis Volume 122: Glenn Miller Collection Part 4

Jonah Jones Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White Written By – Louiguy (real name Louis Guglielmi) Volume 210: Jonah Style

Harry James Two O'Clock Jump Written-By – Benny Goodman, Count Basie, and Harry James Volume 4: Harry James Greatest Hits

Al Hirt Holiday For Trumpet Written By – Mario Ruiz Armengol Volume 158: Hirt So Good

Dean Martin Your Other Love Written by Mort Shuman and Doc Pomus Volume 75: Everybody Loves Dean

Sammy Davis Jr. Mr. Bojangles written by Jerry Jeff Walker Volume 136: Sammy Record 1

Frank Sinatra My Way written by Jacques Revaux, Gilles Thibaut, and Claude François English lyrics by Paul Anka

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#dadsrecords #vinyl #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp

Historic Papal Visit We haven't broken away from music for a while, but what have I told you before? My dad has a record for every occasion.

60 years ago yesterday, on October 4, 1965, Pope Paul VI visited the United States for a 14-hour trip that was entirely contained within New York City. The visit marked the first time a pope had visited the U.S. and included addressing the United Nations, meeting with President Lyndon B. Johnson, celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium, and visiting the New York World's Fair.

It is estimated that at least 1 million people saw the pope in person, while 100 million watched his visit on television

This record commemorates that historic day.

So, get ready to hear the voice of a man that met with world leaders looking to find a path to peace among nations in Volume 249: A Pope Visits.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Pope Paul VI – An Historic Occasion: Pope Paul VI Visits New York City October 4, 1965 Label: MGM Records – E-4337-D Format: Vinyl, LP, Mono Released: 1966 Genre: Non-Music Style: Religious, Spoken Word

We will hear 5 of the 8 tracks from this album.

Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, Rome

Kennedy Airport, New York

United Nations Address

Address To United Nations Staff Workers

Kennedy Airport

I do not own the rights to this recording. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#thepope #popepaulVI #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp

TJB South of the Border OK…I was having Tijuana Brass withdrawals.

While I did play plenty of his music in Volume 222: A TJB Concert Rewind earlier this year, that was a special episode shortly after I saw Herb and the gang in concert.

It’s been over a year since I’ve pulled out one of the 11 records my dad had of one of his favorite groups. Since I grew up listening to his music, and have now seen him in concert three times, Alpert has been one of MY favorite artists as well.

So, get ready to hear from this group’s third album that features music from south of the border in Volume 248: Down Mexico Way.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass – South Of The Border Label: A&M Records – LP 108 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono Country: Released: 1964 Genre: Jazz, Latin, Pop Style: Latin Jazz, Mariachi, Easy Listening, Bossa Nova

We will hear 9 of the 12 songs on this album.

South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way) Written-By – Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr

Hello, Dolly! Written-By – Jerry Herman

Up Cherry Street Written-By – Julius Wechter

Angelito (Little Angel usually meant for children) Written-By – Rene Herrera and Rene Ornellas

I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face Written-By – . Songwriting duo of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Better known as just Lerner and Lowe

All My Loving Written-By – Paul McCartney and John Lennon

The Girl From Ipanema Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, and Vinicius De Moraes

El Presidente Written-By – Sol Lake

Mexican Shuffle Written-By – Sol Lake

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#herbalpert #tijuanabrass #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp

Ray Conniff Improvisations

My father must have really loved the music of Ray Conniff. This is the sixth of eight albums from this arranger and orchestra leader in my dad’s collection. This one has a bit of a twist to it. No. Not the dance.

While the title of the album makes it seem like it will be a live album, that is not the nature of the concert here. Several of the songs you hear will be improvisations or interpretations of some pretty popular melodies from throughout time.

So, get ready to hear those lush strings paired with those lyric-less vocals in Volume 247: A Conniff Concert.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Ray Conniff His Orchestra And Chorus* – Concert In Rhythm Volume II Label: Columbia – CL 1415 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono Released: 1960 Genre: Jazz, Classical Style: Listening

We will hear 7 of the 12 songs on this album.

An Improvisation On "Liebestraum" written by Franz Liszt

An Improvisation On The Fibich "Poéme" written by Jacques Larue, Zdeněk Fibich

An Improvisation On Chopin's "Nocturne In E-Flat" written by Frédéric Chopin Adapted By – Ray Conniff

Yours Is My Heart Alone written by Harry B. Smith, Fritz Löhner-Beda, Franz Lehár, and Ludwig Herzer But it actually started life as Dein ist mein ganzes Herz translated back as Yours is my whole heart and first recorded in 1929. Smith added the lyrics about 1931 when the song changes to the English version on Second Hand Songs Dot com.

Favorite Themes From Greig's A Minor Piano Concerto written by Edvard Grieg

Warsaw Concerto written by Richard Addinsell

I'll See You Again From the 1929 operetta Bitter Sweet (thought it was going to be Tequila for a second) written by Noël Coward

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#rayconniff #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp

Real Country and Western Music We are pulling out the 6th record of this seven record set that has really grown on me over the four and a half years of this show. Reader’s Digest has compiled 83 classic country and western songs and arranged them in themes…all completely unabridged, unlike stories we would usually see from that publication.

One side of this record features songs from the dusty trail. The other side features theme songs from Western TV and Movies.

So, get ready to hear what is technically Tumbling Tumbleweeds Part 6 in Volume 246: Western Trails.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Various – Tumbling Tumbleweeds Label: Reader's Digest – RDA-229 / A Format: 7 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation Box Set Released: 1982 Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Country

We are pulling out Record six of this seven record box set and we'll hear eight of the 11 songs on sides K and L.

Al Caiola - Theme From Bonanza written by Ray Evans, Jay Livingston This version was released in 1961 and became a hit song.

Hugo Montenegro - The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo written by Ennio Morricone who first recorded it in 1966 Hugo released his version in December 1967 and it was a hit song.

Roy Rogers (King of the Cowboys) with Orchestra conducted by Perry Botkin - Along The Navajo Trail written by Eddie DeLange, Dick Charles, Larry Markes They released this version in September 1945.

The Sons Of The Pioneers - Along The Santa Fe Trail written by Al Dubin, Hugh Williams, Edwina Coolidge This version was released in 1955, more than 10 years after recording it.

The Sons Of The Pioneers - Twilight On The Trail written by Louis Alter, Sidney D. Mitchell Released in March 1960.

Al Caiola - Theme From The Magnificent Seven written by Elmer Bernstein Released in September 1960.

Warren Barker - Theme From Gunsmoke written by Glenn Spencer, Rex Koury Barker recorded his version in 1959

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Whippoorwills and Orchestra - Happy Trails This was the First recording on April 21, 1952

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#countryandwestern #wevegotbothkinds #oldcountrymusic #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp

Joy from Sammy and Joya Usually I don’t title the episode exactly the same as the album I’m featuring, but this one was just too good not to use. Yes, we will hear the artist I think is the greatest showman who ever lived, but this record is really about Joya.

She is not widely known today, despite her significant contributions, because of a combination of historical and social factors that often affected women and African American artists in jazz.

But the gang at the Design Label teamed her up in 1957 with a fast rising star in Davis Jr to introduce her solo recordings to the world.

So, get ready to hear a voice that brought joy when I saw him on stage and a voice that brought joy when I heard this record in Volume 245: Sammy Jumps With Joya.

For more information about this album, see the Discogs webpage for it.

Credits and copyrights

Sammy Davis Jr., Joya Sherrill – Sammy Jumps With Joya Label: Design Records – DLP 22 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono Released: 1957 Genre: Jazz

We will hear 7 of the 10 songs from this album.

Sammy Davis Jr. backed by Orchestra under the direction of Morton Stevens – The Gypsy In My Soul Recorded in February 1953 written by Clay Boland and Moe Jaffe

Joya Sherrill – Baby Me written by Lou Handman, Archie Gottler, Harry Harris

Joya Sherrill – Easy Street written by Alan Rankin Jones

Joya Sherrill – Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea written by Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler

Joya Sherrill – Thou Swell written by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart

Joya Sherrill – The End Of A Love Affair written by Edward Redding

Sammy Davis Jr. – Chloe written by Gus Kahn, Charles N. Daniels This was also recorded in 1957

I do not own the rights to this music. ASCAP, BMI licenses provided by third-party platforms for music that is not under Public Domain.

#joyasherrill #sammy #sammydavisjr #musichistory #vinylcollecting #vinylrecords #musicalmemories #fyp