As the 50's came to a close and the 60's dawned upon the U.S.,
the tradition of popular recording stars producing Christmas
music continued.
I'll begin with a batch of Bobbys . .
B O B B Y V E E
By 1962 Bobby Vee was one of the top recording stars in America.
'62 was also the year he released his Christmas classic,
Merry Christmas From Bobby Vee
The album was a mixture of traditional Christmas favorites and four original Christmas tunes.
ORIGINAL TUNES INCLUDE:
'My Christmas Love'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS9ewKtds6k&feature=share&list=PL5_D80XbMUqdzu26fnGMmsc60nH-nj19v&index=4
'Christmas Vacation'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs0BFmE4A9Q&feature=share&list=PL5_D80XbMUqdzu26fnGMmsc60nH-nj19v&index=6
'Christmas Wish'
http://youtu.be/X0_S-KPtTjE
'Not So Merry Christmas'
http://youtu.be/2WWKM02bsRs
(reminiscent of 'Run To Him')
B O B B Y D A R I N
1960 found Bobby Darin's career in high gear.
His #1 smash, 'Mack The Knife' had been the top selling single of 1959,
and by 1960 he'd racked up 3 additional Top 10 and five Top 40 records.
Darin's contribution to Christmas came in 1960
with the release of The 25th Day of December With Bobby Darin
which consisted of traditional religious Christmas songs and hymns.
Here's a few tracks:
'O Come All Ye Faithful'
'Silent Night'
'Holy Holy Holy'
'Christmas Auld Lang Syne' backed with a swingin' number
called 'Child of God' was released as a single
TO LISTEN TO 'CHRISTMAS AULD LANG SYNE' click here:
TO LISTEN TO 'CHILD OF GOD' click here:
B O B B Y V I N T O N
Bobby Vinton bounded onto the pop music scene in 1962 in a big way, and by
Christmas of 1964 he'd established himself as one of the industry's top stars
with four #1, two Top 10, three Top 20 and four Top 40 records.
A Very Merry Christmas, Vinton's ninth album, was released in October, 1964.
It was a mix of traditional Christmas songs with a few original tunes; most notably
'Dearest Santa' and 'The Bell That Couldn't Jingle;' the latter written by
Burt Bacharach. These two would be paired up and
released as a single.
TO LISTEN TO 'DEAREST SANTA' click here:
TO LISTEN TO 'THE BELL THAT COULDN'T JINGLE' click here:
B O B B Y R Y D E L L
&
C H U B B Y C H E C K E R
November of 1961 found Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker in the studio recording an album together. It was an attempt by their label, Cameo-Parkway, to wring every last drop out of their two top producers and take advantage of the upcoming holiday season.
This album is a rather strange combination of self promotion and Christmas music. The most interesting example of self promotion would have to be an extended track called 'Your Hits and Mine.' It runs over seven minutes and features the two artists singing the 'hits' of the other. It's a fun reminder of just how successful these two young men were at the time.
The opening chorus is says it all:
"Your hits. I wish I had your hits. We'd have a long, long line if we combine your hits and mine."
TO LISTEN TO 'YOUR HITS AND MINE' click here:
http://youtu.be/3rex4y0sCLc
As for the Christmas/holiday numbers; three were released as singles:
The Frank Loesser ballad
'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve'
was covered by the two as a duet with
personal dialogue added.
TO LISTEN TO 'WHAT ARE DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE' click here:
http://youtu.be/_JNC0oJS00Y
'Jingle Bells Imitations' is a fun song that harkens back to Checker's first single called 'The Class' from 1959. On it, the two do impersonations of Elvis, Bobby Darin, Fats Domino and Frank Fontaine. The song wraps up with a parody of Alvin & the Chipmunks.
TO LISTEN TO 'JINGLE BELLS IMITATIONS'
click here:
http://youtu.be/HKYuvbwA-Po
November of 1961 found Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker in the studio recording an album together. It was an attempt by their label, Cameo-Parkway, to wring every last drop out of their two top producers and take advantage of the upcoming holiday season.
This album is a rather strange combination of self promotion and Christmas music. The most interesting example of self promotion would have to be an extended track called 'Your Hits and Mine.' It runs over seven minutes and features the two artists singing the 'hits' of the other. It's a fun reminder of just how successful these two young men were at the time.
The opening chorus is says it all:
"Your hits. I wish I had your hits. We'd have a long, long line if we combine your hits and mine."
TO LISTEN TO 'YOUR HITS AND MINE' click here:
http://youtu.be/3rex4y0sCLc
As for the Christmas/holiday numbers; three were released as singles:
The Frank Loesser ballad
'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve'
was covered by the two as a duet with
personal dialogue added.
TO LISTEN TO 'WHAT ARE DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE' click here:
http://youtu.be/_JNC0oJS00Y
'Jingle Bells Imitations' is a fun song that harkens back to Checker's first single called 'The Class' from 1959. On it, the two do impersonations of Elvis, Bobby Darin, Fats Domino and Frank Fontaine. The song wraps up with a parody of Alvin & the Chipmunks.
TO LISTEN TO 'JINGLE BELLS IMITATIONS'
click here:
http://youtu.be/HKYuvbwA-Po
Speaking of shameless promotion (a Cameo-Parkway specialty), at a couple of points the lyrics are changed from, 'Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock,' to 'Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell twist.'
(Sigh) They just couldn't help themselves . .
The single rose to #21 on the Billboard Charts in December of '61.
TO LISTEN TO 'JINGLE BELL ROCK' click here:
http://youtu.be/76J4LX9jtd4
(Sigh) They just couldn't help themselves . .
The single rose to #21 on the Billboard Charts in December of '61.
TO LISTEN TO 'JINGLE BELL ROCK' click here:
http://youtu.be/76J4LX9jtd4
T H E E V E R L Y B R O T H E R S
The Everly Brothers' star had shown brightly since their single, 'Bye Bye Love' rocketed
to #2 on the Billboard Pop Charts and #1 on the Country Charts in 1957. These two had
been an unstoppable crossover phenomenon for five years when in 1962 they produced
a Christmas album called Christmas With The Everly Brothers
The album was recorded with the 33 member Boys Town Choir and features the Boys
Town Organ from Omaha Nebraska. It's a collection of traditional and sacred Christmas
songs; two of which are sung entirely by the choir.
Don Everly performs 'What Child Is This' as a solo
http://youtu.be/Hn22FPU7r04
Phil Everly performs 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' as a solo
http://youtu.be/WhCMtbsG9OM
T H E 4 S E A S O N S
With two huge number 1 records under their belt ('Sherry' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry') The Four Seasons' released a Christmas album in 1962 called, The 4 Seasons Greetings.
It was a mix of traditional Christmas songs, of which, the most notable would
have to be their rockin' version of 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.'
It was recorded in a style that's unmistakeably/shamelessly reminiscent of their
two big hits - click here to listen:
http://youtu.be/jsj6uqixoyo
T H E S U P R E M E S
By November 1965 The Supremes had placed six singles at the number one position
of the Billboard Pop Charts. It would be that same month that Motown would release
their Christmas album entitled simply, Merry Christmas.
Harvey Fuqua (formerly of The Moonglows) produced the album, and it's worth noting that only Diana Ross' voice is on the album. She's backed by The Andantes (Motown session singers). Neither Mary Wilson nor Florence Ballard are included - an ominous sign of things to come.
There was a single released:
'Children's Christmas Song' backed
with 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Me.'
TO LISTEN TO 'Children's Christmas Song' click here:
http://youtu.be/OUcReuw-mwA
TO LISTEN TO 'TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE ME' click here:
http://youtu.be/j4kMjIvaOoY
T H E B E A C H B O Y S
TO LISTEN TO 'TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE ME' click here:
http://youtu.be/j4kMjIvaOoY
T H E B E A C H B O Y S
The Beach Boys incredible string of hits were well underway when they released
their Christmas album, The Beach Boys' Christmas Album in November of 1964.
It consisted of seven traditional Christmas songs and five original tunes - the most popular
of which would be 'Little Saint Nick' and 'The Man With All The Toys.'
The album proved to be very popular and would go on to receive gold record status.
TO LISTEN TO 'LITTLE SAINT NICK' click here:
http://youtu.be/aSynDh_K0EE
Here's a clip of The Beach Boys performing 'Little Saint Nick' on Shindig
http://youtu.be/P-vAZabkn3U
TO LISTEN TO 'THE MAN WITH ALL THE TOYS' click here:
http://youtu.be/-_vY9S_LCTk
T H E R O Y A L G U A R D S M E N
The Royal Guardsmen struck gold in 1966 when their novelty record
'Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron' rose to the penultimate Billboard Pop Chart position (#2).
In 1967 they released a Christmas follow-up called 'Snoopy's Christmas' which was a
fictional story centered around an amazing true historical event known as 'The Christmas Truce'
which took place in 1914 during WW1.
http://youtu.be/0-hWZGIWe_U
P H I L S P E C T O R ' S M A S T E R P I E C E
I've saved what I consider to be the best, for last . .
Today Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift For You is the stuff of legends, but when it was
released in November 1963 it fell short of expectations. It wasn't due to any fault
on Spector's part or reflective of the work. Tragically the release date was
November 22; the day of Kennedy's assassination. December '63
would not prove to be a good month for up-beat Christmas music.
 | ||
| PHIL SPECTOR 1963 |
Phil Spector was 23 years old when he decided to pull his entire roster of successful recording
artists together to produce the most ambitious 'pop' Christmas album ever attempted.
They were all locked away for weeks inside Los Angeles' Gold Star Studios as the
'boy genius' of pop music strove madly for musical perfection.
The line-up consisted of: The Crystals, The Ronettes, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
and Darlene Love, and it stands today as one of Spector's ultimate 'Wall of Sound' masterpieces.
 | |||
| 17 YEAR OLD CHERILYN (CHER) IN THE CONTROL BOOTH WITH DARLENE LOVE & SPECTOR |
There were also some soon-to-be famous participants as well.
Cherilyn Sarkisian, who would later become Cher; provided backing
vocals while her soon-to-be husband, Sonny Bono, was a percussionist.
Cher would later recall,
‘Phil was insane about the Christmas album; we didn’t go home for six weeks.’
 | ||
| DARLENE LOVE, SPECTOR AND JACK NITZSCHE (ARRANGER) DURING THE RECORDING OF THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM |
The album was made up of 13 songs; 12 traditional Christmas songs and an original track.
 |
| DARLENE LOVE AND SPECTOR DURING XMAS ALBUM RECORDING 1963 |
The one original song was another Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Spector
composition. Barry and Greenwich had written hit records for every one
of Spector's groups and so it's no surprise they were called upon to provide
a single for the Christmas album. The result was the gut-wrenching plea,
'Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)'
http://youtu.be/FKE2vDurA6A
It's been suggested that 'Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)' was
originally intended for The Ronettes, but that lead singer Ronnie Bennett's
voice couldn't provide the necessary emotion that the song called for.
Consequently, it went to Darlene Love who had been plucked out of
Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans and set aside by Spector for a solo career.
The decision has shown over time to have been wise. Darlene Love performs
this song every year at Christmas time on the David Letterman show.
 |
| DARLENE LOVE |
 |
| THE RONETTES WITH SPECTOR DURING THE XMAS ALBUM RECORDING |
and beloved songs were recorded by these three girls from New York City.
They are:
'Frosty The Snowman'
http://youtu.be/76sh1BWCQSc
'Sleigh Ride'
http://youtu.be/Y6rDA2Czz0E
'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'
http://youtu.be/ilLT-ge6Luo
 |
| BENNETT REVIEWS 'FROSTY' LYRICS DURING '63 RECORDING SESSION |
 | ||
| THE CRYSTALS |
A Christmas Gift For You; of all of Spector's acts, The Crystals
were his top producers. They had accumulated six major hits in
the past two years and their three contributions to this album
are also considered classics today.
They are:
'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer'
http://youtu.be/OLptF1HaM9k
'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'
http://youtu.be/H7wD2XKFTZA
'Parade of The Wooden Soldiers'
http://youtu.be/gCvf5UABApg
 |
| LALA BROOKS (LEAD SINGER OF THE CRYSTALS) WITH SPECTOR |
 |
| BOB B. SOXX & THE BLUE JEANS |
Darlene Love and Fanita James. The group had a Top 10 record in 1962
with their cover of 'Zip-a-dee doo-dah' and an additional Top 40 record in '63.
They contributed two songs to this album:
'The Bells of Saint Mary'
http://youtu.be/k1jKvgzIRYs
'Here Comes Santa Claus'
http://youtu.be/4hr2V3gJe8g
 | ||
| BOBBY SHEEN IN STUDIO WITH SPECTOR |
 |
| PROMOTION FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU |
As was generally the case at the time - in the end -
Spector got to have the last word . .
The final track of the album is 'Silent Night.'
It begins beautifully orchestrated then suddenly
Spector's voice emerges with a haunting
monologue that's so very telling of the
enigmatic 23 year old music tycoon:
"Hello, this is Phil Spector.
It is so difficult at this time
to say words that would express my feelings
about the album to which you have just listened.
An album that has been in the planning for many, many months.
First, let me thank all the people who worked so hard with me
in the production of this album and in my endeavor and desire
to bring something new and different to the music of Christmas
and to the recording industry which is so much a part of my life.
Of course, the biggest thanks goes to you
for giving me the opportunity to relate my feelings
of Christmas through the music that I love.
At this moment, I am very proud of all the artists
and on behalf of all of them, The Crystals, The Ronettes
Darlene Love, Bobby Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and myself
may we wish you the very merriest of Christmases
and the happiest of New Years, and thank you so very much
for letting us spend this Christmas with you."
TO LISTEN TO 'SILENT NIGHT' click here:
http://youtu.be/x52eGN-hDGM
.jpg)
The album was re-released in 1972 on Apple Records.
Phil Spector won't be released for another 15 years* * * * * * * * *
Well, there you have it friends . .
Enough 'pop' Christmas music to last a lifetime
May the Lord richly bless you and yours this Christmas Season!
Thanks Ken. Always find these quite enjoyable. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteThank you Bobby! I owe you a phone call. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDelete