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Easy Christmas Music

J

John1

For those interested, WOEZ in Knoxville "Easy 88" has already begun playing all Christmas music. The only streaming easy listening station that does all Christmas this early that I know of. It's different from all the other Christmas stations because it is a mix of instrumentals and soft vocals.
Enjoy!
 
How about a discussion of Christmas music?

> For those interested, WOEZ in Knoxville "Easy 88" has
> already begun playing all Christmas music. The only
> streaming easy listening station that does all Christmas
> this early that I know of. It's different from all the
> other Christmas stations because it is a mix of
> instrumentals and soft vocals.
> Enjoy!

We lost our Westwood One affiliate in 2003 (Wilmington DE's WJBR AM-1290). Do they still go all-Christmas starting on Thanksgiving? Some of the songs they would play not heard anywhere else included Boney M's "Mary Boy Child/Oh My Lord," "Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" by the Hollyridge Strings, Perry Como's "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Dream," and "Little Altar Boy" by Vic Dana.

Does Mannheim Steamroller belong on a Soft AC/Standards station? Anybody tired of that sound yet? Their version of Silent Night ("Stille Nacht") from the first album is one of the most beautiful instrumentals ever. The Chip Davis original composition "Traditions of Christmas" and "Still Still Still" from the second album Fresh Aire Christmas deserve to get airplay.

Has anyone heard that voiceover made to sound like God's voice talking to victims of September 11th? It uses Mannheim Steamroller's Stille Nacht in the background. You won't have a dry eye after hearing that one.

Christmas isn't Christmas without Percy Faith and Ray Conniff (and, of course, the Harry Simeone Chorale).

We have some new classics in recent years... "Christmas Canon" Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Josh Groban's "O Holy Night." I'm surprised he hasn't released a Christmas CD yet. On the country side, Alan Jackson's "Let It Be Christmas" is really nice. It deserves to be heard on non-country stations, as does Vince Gill.

Some stuff I miss hearing... "Jingo Jango" Bert Kaempfert, "Christmas Bells" Mantovani, "The Christmas Tree" David Rose, "Jingle Bells" Raymond LeFevre, "Christmas Is A-Comin'" Jack Halloran Singers. These used to be played all the time on beautiful music stations, but are now, sadly, the product of a bygone era.
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

> Has anyone heard that voiceover made to sound like God's
> voice talking to victims of September 11th? It uses
> Mannheim Steamroller's Stille Nacht in the background. You
> won't have a dry eye after hearing that one.

Yes I have. A station I was working at the year it came out was playing it. Put that song back to back with that song about buying mom new shoes so that she looks good when she dies tonight and meets Jesus, and you'll be crying for hours. Although we must admit the latter song (about mamma meeting Jesus tonight) is a bit over the top. Who's the artist on that one again?
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

It's by a Contemporary Christian band...Newsong.

> > Has anyone heard that voiceover made to sound like God's
> > voice talking to victims of September 11th? It uses
> > Mannheim Steamroller's Stille Nacht in the background.
> You
> > won't have a dry eye after hearing that one.
>
> Yes I have. A station I was working at the year it came out
> was playing it. Put that song back to back with that song
> about buying mom new shoes so that she looks good when she
> dies tonight and meets Jesus, and you'll be crying for
> hours. Although we must admit the latter song (about mamma
> meeting Jesus tonight) is a bit over the top. Who's the
> artist on that one again?
>
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

> > For those interested, WOEZ in Knoxville "Easy 88" has
> > already begun playing all Christmas music. The only
> > streaming easy listening station that does all Christmas
> > this early that I know of. It's different from all the
> > other Christmas stations because it is a mix of
> > instrumentals and soft vocals.
> > Enjoy!
>
> We lost our Westwood One affiliate in 2003 (Wilmington DE's
> WJBR AM-1290). Do they still go all-Christmas starting on
> Thanksgiving?


Yes, last year all the WW1 standards stations (formerly known as AM Only) went with all holiday music from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day.

I miss not having either a standards or easy station in my market especially around Xmas. Soft AC stations play SOME of the songs we miss but not all of them. And now here in NYC there's not even oldies WCBS-FM, which also used to go all-Xmas on Dec. 24 and 25.

Luckily back in the 80s I recorded several cassettes of WPAT on Xmas Eve and Xmas Day, since they stopped playing holiday music at midnight Dec. 25. Now I'm glad I have those tapes, which I listen to every year, since there's no more easy listening stations locally. I also have a few WCBS-FM Xmas cassettes too.

If anyone has cassettes of easy listening stations from Christmas times past (or now if you're in the rare market that still has an easy station) and would like to swap, let me know.



Gregg
[email protected]
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

> We lost our Westwood One affiliate in 2003 (Wilmington DE's
> WJBR AM-1290). Do they still go all-Christmas starting on
> Thanksgiving? Some of the songs they would play not heard
> anywhere else included Boney M's "Mary Boy Child/Oh My
> Lord," "Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" by the Hollyridge
> Strings, Perry Como's "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Dream,"
> and "Little Altar Boy" by Vic Dana.
>
> Does Mannheim Steamroller belong on a Soft AC/Standards
> station? Anybody tired of that sound yet? Their version of
> Silent Night ("Stille Nacht") from the first album is one of
> the most beautiful instrumentals ever.

> Christmas isn't Christmas without Percy Faith and Ray
> Conniff (and, of course, the Harry Simeone Chorale).
>
> We have some new classics in recent years... "Christmas
> Canon" Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Josh Groban's "O Holy
> Night." I'm surprised he hasn't released a Christmas CD
> yet. On the country side, Alan Jackson's "Let It Be
> Christmas" is really nice. It deserves to be heard on
> non-country stations, as does Vince Gill.

Hi Blue!

As was noted by someone else, WW1 will indeed be going All-Christmas early in the morning of 11/24. And, our audience can't wait! We are in a traditional, generally conservative God-and-country agricultural area, and they would riot in the streets if we didn't go with this presentation!

And, the phones fall off the wall every time "Mary's Boy Child" airs...as they have for years. I have no idea why that one resonates so well (especially with older folks), but the local Christian bookstores and record stores were begging me to stop playing it a few years ago, because so many people were asking for it, and it wasn't available at the time!

I found your comments very interesting. I agree that Alan Jackson's "Let It Be Christmas" ought to be played, and in fact, I *did* play it on my show last year, even though WW1 did not.

Mannheim Steamroller? Truth be told, I think they went to the well one too many times with the Christmas music. I noticed on the fourth album already that the arranging was getting pretty thin. We are agreed that "Stille Nacht" is the best ever, and if you're going to program M-S, stick with the first two albums.

A couple of newer songs I especially enjoy are "Christmas To Remember" from Amy Grant, "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Point Of Grace, and "Driving Home for Christmas" by Michael Ball.

I have a friend in New England who continues to send me fresh Christmas music from his collection every year, so we weave that into the standard "Feliz Navidad" fare.

Ironically, although I am a Christian, I grew to HATE Christmas music at my first radio jobs! Now, as I've aged (a lot) and mellowed, I've gotten so that I can't wait for the post-season at Wal-Mart so that I can scoop up all the bargain Xmas CDs for use the following year. I scored the remastered Rosemary Clooney CD that way.

You know one of my all time non-religious faves? "Christmas Dreaming" by Frank Sinatra. I never get tired of that one.

One song I cannot seem to get my hands on is Enya's "Silent Night," sung in Gaelic. Utterly haunting and captivating. I have to have it, but I'm not willing to pay the $37 for the import version. Hmm.

Anyway, to sum it up, bring Christmas on! I can't wait!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Regards,
Ken Clark
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

Bobby Darrin's "Christmas Auld Lang Syne" isn't heard very often, but it is a personal favorite.
 
Jim Reeves - Christmas music?

Jim Reeves' "Snowflake" is easily found...I have it on several Christmas compilations. On the other hand, his "An Old Christmas Card" seems to be unattainable. I found it on a Time-Life compilation several years back, but have somehwo mislaid it. That particular series of 3 CD's is apparently no longer available.

"An Old Christmas Card" is a personal favorite (as is Roy Orbison's version "Pretty Paper"), and I'd sure like to find it. Any source suggestions?

If you've not heard "Blue Christmas" by Ann & Nancy Wilson (yes, the Heart sisters), find a copy and listen. It'll work well on most any format.<P ID="signature">______________
Jay Braswell - Moderator
Atlanta/North Florida/South Carolina/Georgia Boards</P>
 
Re: Jim Reeves - Christmas music?

Jim Reeves' "Twelve Songs of Christmas" CD is listed as available on the Barnes & Noble website for $6.98. One of my all time favorite Christmas albums, too.
If it's on their website their store can special order, too. "An Old Christmas Card" is on there. This is not a plug - it's probably available from Amazon, Borders, etc. if you search under music - Jim Reeves. I don't hear any of his music on all-Christmas stations but it would certainly fit with all the other "standards".

> Jim Reeves' "Snowflake" is easily found...I have it on
> several Christmas compilations. On the other hand, his "An
> Old Christmas Card" seems to be unattainable. I found it on
> a Time-Life compilation several years back, but have somehwo
> mislaid it. That particular series of 3 CD's is apparently
> no longer available.
>
> "An Old Christmas Card" is a personal favorite (as is Roy
> Orbison's version "Pretty Paper"), and I'd sure like to find
> it. Any source suggestions?
>
> If you've not heard "Blue Christmas" by Ann & Nancy Wilson
> (yes, the Heart sisters), find a copy and listen. It'll work
> well on most any format.
>
 
Re: Jim Reeves - Christmas music?

> Jim Reeves' "Twelve Songs of Christmas" CD is listed as
> available on the Barnes & Noble website for $6.98. One of
> my all time favorite Christmas albums, too.
> If it's on their website their store can special order, too.
> "An Old Christmas Card" is on there. This is not a plug -
> it's probably available from Amazon, Borders, etc. if you
> search under music - Jim Reeves. I don't hear any of his
> music on all-Christmas stations but it would certainly fit
> with all the other "standards".
>
> > Jim Reeves' "Snowflake" is easily found...I have it on
> > several Christmas compilations. On the other hand, his "An
>
> > Old Christmas Card" seems to be unattainable. I found it
> on
> > a Time-Life compilation several years back, but have
> somehwo
> > mislaid it. That particular series of 3 CD's is apparently
>
> > no longer available.
> >
> > "An Old Christmas Card" is a personal favorite (as is Roy
> > Orbison's version "Pretty Paper"), and I'd sure like to
> find
> > it. Any source suggestions?
> >
> > If you've not heard "Blue Christmas" by Ann & Nancy Wilson
>
> > (yes, the Heart sisters), find a copy and listen. It'll
> work
> > well on most any format.
> >
>
One other site to try:

http://www.purecountrymusic.com

They may not have it but may be able to help you find it or special order it.<P ID="signature">______________
Proudly remembering the days of the hometown "country giant" radio stations now at
http://www.live365.com/stations/alanmccall</P>
 
Re: How about a discussion of Christmas music?

> > For those interested, WOEZ in Knoxville "Easy 88" has
> > already begun playing all Christmas music. The only
> > streaming easy listening station that does all Christmas
> > this early that I know of. It's different from all the
> > other Christmas stations because it is a mix of
> > instrumentals and soft vocals.
> > Enjoy!
>
> We lost our Westwood One affiliate in 2003 (Wilmington DE's
> WJBR AM-1290). Do they still go all-Christmas starting on
> Thanksgiving? Some of the songs they would play not heard
> anywhere else included Boney M's "Mary Boy Child/Oh My
> Lord," "Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" by the Hollyridge
> Strings, Perry Como's "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Dream,"
> and "Little Altar Boy" by Vic Dana.
>
> Does Mannheim Steamroller belong on a Soft AC/Standards
> station? Anybody tired of that sound yet? Their version of
> Silent Night ("Stille Nacht") from the first album is one of
> the most beautiful instrumentals ever. The Chip Davis
> original composition "Traditions of Christmas" and "Still
> Still Still" from the second album Fresh Aire Christmas
> deserve to get airplay.
>
> Has anyone heard that voiceover made to sound like God's
> voice talking to victims of September 11th? It uses
> Mannheim Steamroller's Stille Nacht in the background. You
> won't have a dry eye after hearing that one.
>
> Christmas isn't Christmas without Percy Faith and Ray
> Conniff (and, of course, the Harry Simeone Chorale).
>
> We have some new classics in recent years... "Christmas
> Canon" Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Josh Groban's "O Holy
> Night." I'm surprised he hasn't released a Christmas CD
> yet. On the country side, Alan Jackson's "Let It Be
> Christmas" is really nice. It deserves to be heard on
> non-country stations, as does Vince Gill.
>
> Some stuff I miss hearing... "Jingo Jango" Bert Kaempfert,
> "Christmas Bells" Mantovani, "The Christmas Tree" David
> Rose, "Jingle Bells" Raymond LeFevre, "Christmas Is
> A-Comin'" Jack Halloran Singers. These used to be played
> all the time on beautiful music stations, but are now,
> sadly, the product of a bygone era.
>
Other artist worth mentioning are London Sound 70 I love their music.The Buckingham Strings are also one of my favorites especially their version of Christmas Alphabet anybody familer with that one?Knct is also playing all Christmas.Sunny on Xm is mixing Christmas music with their regular b/ez songs this year and will be increasing it to Christmas Eve.
 
I resurrected this old thread in a desperate attempt to find anyone who has the ability to track down The Buckingham Strings holiday recordings. I own and operate a completely "not for profit" Smooth Jazz Internet radio station 24/7 at www.wavjazz.net. But every Christmas Eve at Noon Eastern, I take a break from Smooth Jazz for 36 hours of nonstop "Beautiful (Christmas) Music," a lot of which has been needle-dropped from the original LPs. Unfortunately, while I have many classics that have not been released on CD, The Buckingham Strings is NOT one of them :'(. I have been on a pilgrimage for 25+ years trying to find their cuts, to no avail. Nonetheless, I do welcome everyone who loves the holiday music of Percy Faith, Mantovani, David Rose, James Last, Bert Kaempfert, and The Living Strings (et al) to tune in!!!

Peace, and Seasons Greetings!!!

Chris
 
publisher said:
http://falalalala.com/

I think he has one or two cuts there.
Click to expand...

Thanks publisher. I am very familiar with The King of Jingaling's website (he posted Let It Snow!, which is a real nice cut). It is a TREMENDOUS resource for this music, as is Chip Arcuri's yulelog.com. I am pleasantly surprised there is such a passionate underground for Beautiful Music this time of the year. I love it. It's all my folks would listen to, and brings back great memories for me. It is also great to see so many classics get reissued on CD, to include Living Strings and Mantovani's 1958 album. But I was disappointed that the Living Strings reissue did NOT include their 1970 release "The Sounds of Christmas," which is a tremendous album. Now, would someone PLEASE reissue Andre Kostelanetz "Wonderland of Christmas," Waldo de los Rios, David Rose's Christmas album, and John Klein's "A Christmas Sound Spectacular" and "Let's Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree." Oh, I might as well ask for the Moon---throw in Geoff Love's 1973 Realistic release "A Christmas Full of Love" as well. :p I have needle-dropped all of these classics, but I would love to have remastered copies.
 
AC Tones said:
Now, would someone PLEASE reissue Andre Kostelanetz "Wonderland of Christmas," Waldo de los Rios, David Rose's Christmas album, and John Klein's "A Christmas Sound Spectacular" and "Let's Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree." Oh, I might as well ask for the Moon---throw in Geoff Love's 1973 Realistic release "A Christmas Full of Love" as well. :p I have needle-dropped all of these classics, but I would love to have remastered copies.
Click to expand...

John Klein's "Christmas Sound Spectacular" (remastered in 2002) is available through Schulmerich Bells:
http://www.schulmerichbells.com/products.php?prod_id=22487

Although not remastered, here's a service that can transfer the Andre Kostelanetz "Wonderland of Christmas" LP to CD (scroll about halfway down the page):
http://www.christmaslpstocd.com/shop/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SingleK

I am not familiar with the Buckingham Strings or Waldo de los Rios, but you are indeed correct about Geoff Love. That would be nice to see on CD. "Ding Dong Merrily On High" is my favorite. "The Christmas Tree" from the David Rose album and Mantovani's "Christmas Bells" are also right up there... and add the Raymond LeFevre album to the CD wish list.
 
Paige Turner said:
AC Tones said:
Now, would someone PLEASE reissue Andre Kostelanetz "Wonderland of Christmas," Waldo de los Rios, David Rose's Christmas album, and John Klein's "A Christmas Sound Spectacular" and "Let's Ring The Bells All Around The Christmas Tree." Oh, I might as well ask for the Moon---throw in Geoff Love's 1973 Realistic release "A Christmas Full of Love" as well. :p I have needle-dropped all of these classics, but I would love to have remastered copies.
Click to expand...

John Klein's "Christmas Sound Spectacular" (remastered in 2002) is available through Schulmerich Bells:
http://www.schulmerichbells.com/products.php?prod_id=22487

Although not remastered, here's a service that can transfer the Andre Kostelanetz "Wonderland of Christmas" LP to CD (scroll about halfway down the page):
http://www.christmaslpstocd.com/shop/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=catshow&ref=SingleK

I am not familiar with the Buckingham Strings or Waldo de los Rios, but you are indeed correct about Geoff Love. That would be nice to see on CD. "Ding Dong Merrily On High" is my favorite. "The Christmas Tree" from the David Rose album and Mantovani's "Christmas Bells" are also right up there... and add the Raymond LeFevre album to the CD wish list.
Click to expand...

Thanks Paige!! I will check out those links. Fortunately, I have been able to needle-drop all of those classics from high quality vinyl, to include Raymond LeFevre's album. But I would sure love to have digital recordings!!! You would know Waldo de los Rios' cuts if you heard them. Very distinct sound, and it is a TREMENDOUS album. Got tons of airplay in the 1970s. It was released around the same time as Geoff Love's album.

By the way, "The 36 Hours of Chistmas" has commenced, so I welcome you to join the party!!

Peace,

Chris
 
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