VA – On The First Day Of Christmas

First off, let me say that for some reason, I like the cover.  I always have.  I don’t know why.  But when I was looking this up on Discogs.com, they have the edition from 1980 listed, and I REALLY like that cover!  A purple and pink partridge sitting in a yellow to green pear tree.  Very 70’sish.  My experience makes me believe this was a compilation originally released in 1974.  One of the production years on the back of the CD list 1974.  None of the music is newer than 1973.  I’m not sure if the cover from 1980 was the same as the one used in 1974.  But I like it better!

The CD front artwork opens up to a single fold out.  Unfortunately, there is nothing printed on it.  It’s blank.  Bummer.  The back of the fold out lists the CD title, a list of songs and performers in track order.  Then below is some copywrite and publishing information.  The back of the CD is the same as the back of the CD insert.

One thing that IS included amongst the many things that aren’t, are the letters AAD.  This refers to Analog to Analog to Digital.  That means the original recording was done with analog equipment; before digital.  And the remaster was done on an analog mixer.  And that was transferred to digital media, this CD.

Yes, I do love AAD!  ADD is better, but mostly you see AAD.  That means I’m getting classic vintage Christmas songs that were originally recorded before 1985 at the earliest, most way before that.  Then they were remastered, also probably before 1985, but they come in a clean digital format, CDs.  This is not a big deal with music from 1974, but when you’re looking for vintage Christmas songs from 1934, then it makes a big difference.

There are only 10 songs included here.  Bummer #2.

This compilation CD begins with Andy Williams singing O Come All Ye Faithful from his 1974 Christmas album, Christmas Present.  A beautiful rendition of this classic carol with back up by the Mike Sammes Singers.

The second song almost brings me to tears.  What Child Is This?  It’s my favorite Christmas song, carol or hymn, sung by Julie Andrews from 1967.  My favorite version of this song is by Vikki Carr, and I believe this has got to be my second favorite.  After a haunting flute intro, Julie Andrews delivers a slow paced, heartfelt plea.  Absolutely wonderful!

Well, the pace doesn’t stay that way for long.  Track 3 features Oh Holy Night, performed by Peter Nero on piano and the Peter Nero Singers singing in unison, from 1973.  The arrangement is very arpeggio

The oldest song on this magnificent CD is the fourth song, Silent Night, performed by the Lennon Sisters from 1959, with orchestrations by Milt Rogers.  A family group of teen and pre-teen girls, the Lennon Sisters entertained audiences on the Lawrence Welk Show for years.

The 5^th song, Angels We Have Heard On High shows up on a lot of Christmas compilations, even during the album era.  Carol Lawrence & Robert Goulet deliver a vibrant and energetic performance of this beautiful carol from 1973.

Oh, Bobby Vinton!  Track 6 is the Polish Prince delivering a heartfelt Christmas wish for a Christmas Eve In My Hometown.  Bobby Vinton made this song his own in 1973.  Next to Perry Como, Andy Williams and Bing Crosby, Bobby Vinton is just as much Christmas as they are.

Ah, here’s Vikki Carr.  Track 8 features Vikki singing It Came Upon The Midnight Clear from 1971.  I think Vikki Carr has the perfect voice for Christmas music.  Soft, light and soulful.  She sings with a lot of compassion.

Now I remember why I like the cover so much.  Because I love this CD!  And the 9^th song is one of the reasons why.  Carol Burnett, (yes! that Carol Burnett), singing the Mel Torme, Robert Wells classic, The Christmas Song.  Who would have ever thought Carol Burnett would do a Christmas song?  Afterall, she’s known for her comedy.  Unfortunately, it’s the only one I can find for her.  No Christmas album, that I can find, at least.  Is she a great singer, in the likes of Vikki Carr?  No, but she does a fantastic job with this one.  I definitely have it in my list of Top 500 Classic Christmas Recordings.  (Look for that list sometime in this blogs future).  This song is also from 1973.

The final cut is one of my favorite 60’s group singers, the Johnny Mann Singers with We Wish You A Merry Christmas recorded in 1967.  A jubilant, trumpet driven parade of voices.  Very kitschy.

Okay, I’m going to start with the bad news first.  There are ONLY 10 songs here.  (There are no years either, a big thing for me).

But, for a low budget Christmas compilation, this one is terrific!  I looked it up earlier, and over half of the songs on here are in my Top 500 Classic Christmas Recordings.  There is not a bad song on here.  If you like your Christmas music classic 60’s and 70’s, then you should definitely have this one.  Actually, you can find Christmas compilation CDs of this quality with many more songs, but I got this early in my collecting days, and I’m glad I did.

I give this CD :

***1/2*