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The Little Drummer Boy

P

Paige Turner

Guest
Hey everyone, I wasn't really sure where to post this, but it's certainly an oldie, and it's from the '50s. Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting bit of information behind one of our most famous Christmas songs, and thought I'd share it. As a sidenote to something mentioned in this article, I tend to agree with the writer's assessment that the best version was the one by the Ray Conniff Singers. It was actually a medley paired with "Jolly Old St. Nicholas."

If you're interested, you can either read the entire piece below or go to the source at the following website...

http://ernienotbert.blogspot.com/2007/12/no-drumming-allowed.html

Chip Arcuri said...
Ernie, I am not quite certain what you meant by the title of your review of this LP, 'No Drumming Allowed,' and when you said in your commentary, "Be sure and note that there is no song on here called The Little Drummer Boy. It hadn't been written yet."

[EDIT]



[EDIT-post truncated as excerpt exceeds amount permitted under Fair Use.]
 
I guess I wasn't allowed to post the whole thing (Sorry, Board Editors), so here's the gist of it...

It was written in 1941 and originally called "Carol of the Drum." The first recording was not in 1958 by the Harry Simeone Chorale, but by the Jack Halloran Singers the previous year. The record company wouldn't release it as a single, so Harry Simeone used the same singers and added finger cymbals for the classic version we hear today. Here's more by the daughter of Jack Halloran...

http://www.jerryosborne.com/12-10-01.htm
 
As the owner of 2000 Christmas albums (not songs-albums), I can tell you that the Conniff album to which you refer is FABULOUS.

Particularly the just under 5 minute cut that ends w/We Wish you a merry Christmas"

Sorry, but Harry Simeone wins the "best version" of Drummer Boy for me.

I can't wait to hear "Christmas Dream" by Perry Como....the best of them all. Second best is Bing Crosby, "Do You Hear What I Here" - recorded on 11/22/63 - the day Pres. Kennedy was assasinated.
 
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