Friday, December 24, 2010

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - PUB 004

PUB 004
Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians Album
Media: 33 1/3 Vinyl Record
Year: 1955
Details: Decca Records

Well I believe that this post is fitting for the eve of the biggest holiday of the year. Here is another vinyl 33 1/3 RPM record and is perfect for the Christmas season. This album entitled "'Twas the Night Before Christmas' (DL 8171) is a Christmas record from Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians including the Orchestra, Glee Club, and Soloists. This is the 1955 Decca Records version and has famous Norman Rockwell as the cover illustrator. The record has a variety of songs including 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and apparently this version is the 'definitive' version, better than his 40's and his 60's versions.

The songs it features are:
  • Jingle Bells
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
  • 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
  • Adeste Fideles (O, Come all Ye Faithful)
  • Beautiful Saviour
  • [Medley of:] The First Nowell, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Carol of the Bells
  • Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night)
  • Oh Gathering Clouds
  • Silent Night
The back of the cover has an about section which I will copy here. "Fred Waring says, 'It's been a number of years since we got together with the imaginative and talented Ken Darby on a musical setting for Clement Clarke Moore's delightful old-young ballad, but from the first season we sang it ''Twas the Night Before Christmas' has been the 'most requested' selection not only with our listeners and viewers, but with The Pennsylvanians themselves. It is one of the pieces which is great fun to perform as well as to hear. "The other selections included in this Yuletide album, you will note, are of a variety to fit the many moods and occasions of the whole Christmas season - ranging from a very jolly version of 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' and 'Santa Clause is Comin' to Town' to the majestic 'Adeste Fidelis.'
"Whether the voices and manner of children or the great breadth of the vested choir, Christmas is a time of singing - particularly of group singing. It is quite natural that our own singing organization should have, through the years, gained some traditional recognition for Christmas music. We believe that you will find in this collection - and in its companion album, 'Christmas Time' - the very best of all the Yuletide music we've done - best in selection, in performance and in fidelity of recording."""

Well I think that sums it up quite well. You can learn more about these records at this Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians forum link. And have a happy and safe holiday! To quote the namesake record:

"Merry Christmas to All! And to All a Good Night!"

2 comments:

  1. I've been youtube-ing the title cut this month, and not finding THIS version, which is the one I grew up with. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and Rudolph are the two songs that *really* make it "Christmas" for me. And the rendition of "Jingle Bells" on this album is amazing. Thanks for including this record in your august collection!

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  2. Thanks so much, I'm am always ecstatic that someone is enjoying the collections! So you couldn't find this version on YouTube? When I get back home I'll try and dig it up and record it (it won't be the best of quality but I've been meaning to add up some videos to the Sholesonian YouTube account). Thanks again for sharing your story!

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