Our Christmas Vinyl Collection

The Christmas Vinyl Collection 2012

By Kristin Battestella

Another year, another look at the state of the ever-growing collection of Yule on Vinyl here at I Think, Therefore I Review! Here’s a quick list of all the snap, crackle, and pop holiday essays, conveniently in one non-scratchable location at last.

The Abbey Choir Little Drummer Boy

Barbra Streisand Christmas Album

Bing Crosby White Christmas (record and CD)

Charles Dickens Classics: A Christmas Carol and Mr. Pickwick’s Christmas 

The Christmas Song Nat King Cole

Christmas Through the Years Holiday Box Set

Christmas with George Beverly Shea

Christmas with Kate Smith

Elvis’ Christmas Album (record and CD)

Elvis' Christmas Album (Pickwick Issue)

Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas

Favorite Christmas Carols from the Voices of Firestone Volume 1

George Beverly Shea Christmas Hymns

Give Me Your Love for Christmas Johnny Mathis

Hark the Herald Angels Sings George Beverly Shea

A Henry Mancini Christmas

Holiday Sing Along with Mitch Miller

Jackie Gleason White Christmas

John Lanchbery Conducts Tchaikovsky’sThe Nutcracker

Joyous Christmas Volume 4

Luciano Pavarotti O Holy Night

Merry Christmas with Johnny Mathis (record and CD)

O Come All Ye Faithful Kate Smith

Seasons Greetings from Perry Como

Silent Night Christmas Carols and Holiday Strings

Silent Night George Beverly Shea

Sing We Now of Christmas: The Harry Simeone Chorale

The Star Carol Tennessee Ernie Ford

A Tennessee Ernie Ford Christmas Special Double LP

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 1

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 2

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 5

And lastly, the only remaining Christmas records I own and have not reviewed thus far are the 10 album Great Songs of Christmas Goodyear series. Whew!

For more fun reference, you can also visit the 2009 Christmas Vinyl Assessment or use the Christmas tags, labels, and search options. Most of these reviews and posts have shopping links or album cover photos where available, as heck, not all of this turntable material is available digitally or even that easy to find and identify via checking the musty attic or searching the messy thrift shop.  So, if anyone has further questions on clarifications or specifications, please feel free to inquire in the Comments Section any time. And as always, whatever You and Yours celebrate this holiday season, may you be warmed, well fed, and abundantly blessed!

A Few Religious Biographies

A Trio of Religious Treats

By Kristin Battestella

Even during Holy Week ahead of Easter and Passover, it seems increasingly tougher to find quality religious documentaries, debates, and films on television anymore.  Here’s a quick trio of Christian biographies to tide the spiritual over this April.

Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador – I thought this would be a little 45-minute biography with all the evangelist fixtures and staple speakers, but no.  This 2-hour 2006 special hosted by David Frost begins with Graham’s humble childhood- full of baseball, Tarzan, and a lack of academics- and continues through his early ministry along with the romance with his late wife Ruth Bell Graham. The founding principles of The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are discussed as well, as are later massive revivals and the ups and downs of global politics.  Great archival photographs and footage anchor the narration along with interviews with family, George Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows, and the famed such as George H.W. Bush.  Wow, it is so surprising to see early color video of Graham, and the subtitles go far for those who can’t quite understand those thick North Carolina sounds.  There’s also a lovely score throughout the piece that I must say adds a very bittersweet, rousing little touch. Though long, the show is divided into chapters, presenting a streamlined approach useful for a classroom or study group discussion.  New interviews with the titular man himself would have added a more personal or insightful angle, and some sensitive politics with US presidents aren’t too heavily touched upon either. However, with such a vast life and religious issues to discuss, God’s Ambassador balances the individual faith, the missions against communism, and evangelism in foreign lands through the decades quite well.  Lengthy bonus features from Bill Gaither, Frost, and Franklin Graham are also included on the video, offering more great music, crusade footage, and insightful interviews to cap off the set.

Joan of Arc – Looking more lovely than ever, Oscar Winner Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Spellbound, Anastasia) battled for this 1948 biopic with director Victor Fleming (Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind) and co-star Jose Ferrer (Cyrano de Bergerac)- only to have her personal scandals overshadow the finely spiritual here.  Along for the spectacle ride is a huge ensemble including John Ireland (Red River), Ward Bond (Wagon Train), and Gene Lockhart (Miracle on 34^th Street).  Although the colorful sets are a touch towards forties fakery, angelic choirs, lofty candles, big church art, fancy scrolls, and Cecil B.- esque narration add to the grandiose scope. The costumes are also a little plain, with lots of veils and hennins, and some sequences are too slow and dry with a windblown feeling to it all. And let’s not forget, a 33 year old Bergman is just a bit too old to play a teenage saint.  Thankfully, she’s in Best Actress nominee form of course.  The battle scenes are also well played and paced, and the newly released unedited version is a must for the full appreciation of the picture.  I wouldn’t normally applaud the poorly chopped up 100 minute edition, but this shorter version might also be worthy for a classroom analysis. Now, one might notice similarities to 1999’s The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc. We have the same person of interest, sure, and there’s a modern, fast-paced gore and action vibe tying the latter all together- unlike the reverent and somber feeling here. However, some of the scenes from Milla Jovovich and Luc Besson’s recent biopic seem more than just homage.  I’ve researched, but there doesn’t seem to be any evidence of a connection or any official or unintentional remaking of the Joan of Lorraine source play.  Bergman fans or Joan enthusiasts, however, might enjoy a study or comparison and revisit.  

The Song of Bernadette – Best Actress winner Jennifer Jones (Duel in the Sun) leads this inspirational 1943 tale alongside Charles Bickford (The Big Country), Anne Revere (A Place in the Sun), and Vincent Price (The Pit and the Pendulum).  My Mom swears by this movie, and despite my ongoing dislike of Jones, this is indeed her best work.  Youthful and innocent, Jones holds her own against the young suave and skeptical legalese of Imperial Prosecutor Price and more nasty adults with her soft honesty and subtle words. Even if Jones is also too old and doe eyed, we believe in Bernadette’s purity- and it’s ironic Jones had a behind the scenes’ scandal as well.  We’re slow to start with repetitive dialogue and it all feels overlong at just over two and a half hours, but the lovely little story here is well filmed with beautiful somber music to accent it all. Yes, it’s obviously pro Catholic and lays on the bias and sentiment- but what’s wrong with having a little faith?  The Victorian strict attitudes and poor tough times are also laid on thick against Bernadette- only the fine Priest Bickford supports her- and the period French touches succumb to liberties taken with the forties Americanization.  Fortunately, the miracle portrayals are perfectly done with abstract Lady Linda Darnell (The Mark of Zorro and another scandalous woman!) None of the reverence is hokey at all in comparison to the snotty family and disbelieving folk.  The Lourdes events are handled with respect as natural and realistic, believable and yet still divine without being a fantastic spectacle.  Wow! It’s all still special as miracles obviously are, and yet audiences today might find it somewhat strange that Bernadette’s elders would think her an insane or bad child.  Again, this adaptation is fine for a mature CCD debate or Sunday School classroom.  We have religious controversies, sure, but the sincerity and truth onscreen is evident here.

As to Passover, you can read a quick review of my favorite The Ten Commandments here – and look for our new analysis on the blu-ray edition soon!

Christmas Vinyl Round 3

Tres Christmas Vinyl!

By Kristin Battestella

I’m digging deeper into ye olde records of yuletide bliss for even more odd vinyl and holiday magic!

The Abbey Choir Little Drummer Boy – I thought this was some quirky obscure record, but amazingly the entire album is available for MP3 Download. The titular carol may be a little too choir shrill, but it’s always fun to sing along with tunes like the Twelve Days of Christmas and The Wassail Song.  There’s also lovely old-fashioned church sounding reverence with Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.  Lesser-heard holiday fair like Christians Awake, As with Gladness Men of Old, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, and Angels from the Realms of Glory are nice to have, too. Not all of it is pleasing to the contemporary ear and it is all quite short. However, for many, this is what their childhood Christmas did sound like and should ring as today.  

Christmas with George Beverly Shea and George Beverly Shea Silent Night – I already commented on Bev’s Christmas Hymns and Hark the Herald Angels Sing records, but I picked up these two albums second hand and found more great, baritone reverence- sort of. These repeat tracks and varying listings were so confusing; I actually made a chart to figure it all out! In addition to adding six new religious tracks including Fairest Lord Jesus, Holy Holy Holy, Oh Men From the Fields, and Count Your Blessings; the 1972 Silent Night double album contains Go Tell It On the Mountain and all the songs from Christmas with George Beverly Shea. While most of these are the same tunes found on the Christmas Hymns LP, the Hark the Herald Angels Sing set is completely unique with no repeat tracks found here.  Whew! It is a shame there’s so little information about these records, and I could see completists driving themselves crazy! Even so, it is nice to have at least one of these albums with Shea’s down and spiritual, and the odd download of some but not all of these tunes are available for folks to pick and choose their favorites.  Families looking for an old-fashioned traditional sound can find either of these George Beverly Shea albums fairly easy enough, but I suppose beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to the vinyl.

Silent Night Christmas Carols and Holiday Strings – Now this album does seem to be obscure, but it is still one of my favorite holiday records.  Yes, it is getting a little crispy and warped by now, but I love the festive instrumentals, from the rousing and upbeat O Come All Ye Faithful and Joy to the World to the heart tugging The First Noel, O Holy Night, and the less and less heard We Three Kings of Orient Are.  Though perhaps too plain, religious, or generic for contemporary secular folks, there is however something timeless at work here.  Sans vocals trying to adhere to an of the moment style, the music and meaning are allowed room to accentuate that family dinner or night of trimming the tree. The dates, the hours just become, well, insignificant against the revelry. Happy Sigh.

The Star Carol Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings His Christmas Favorites– Ernie gets right to the holiday boasts with Joy To the World and Hark the Herald Angels Sing and keeps the Spirit of the Season heavy through the somber It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and Silent Night finale.  In between, rarities such as Some Children See Him, O Harken Ye, Sleep My Little Lord Jesus, and the eponymous track stand out along with a lovely and deep O Holy Night, Adeste Fideles, and We Three Kings.  The voice and the spirit are entrenched here most definitely, and will create a lump in your throat if you pause to have a quiet, snowy late night listen. Yes, the old-fashioned 1958 down gospel male singing won’t work for a swanky secular party today. For reminiscing folks seeking a little country gospel in their Christmas, however, downloads and digital Ernie picking and choosing is available. Perhaps that is proof we do still indeed yearn for the “honestly sung, deep religious feeling” as the record sleeve suggests. 

Sigh, so many records, so little time! 

A Second Helping of Christmas Vinyl

Another Helping of Christmas Vinyl!

By Kristin Battestella

Get ready for more snap, crackle, and pop from yesteryear!  Here are this holiday season’s tips on which records to treasure or thrift hunt for in your pursuit of yuletide nostalgia and revelry.

George Beverly Shea Hark the Herald Angels Sing – The titular carol opens this 1964 Christian set with bold, robust nostalgia and then some.  Largely filled with lovely, somber, and lesser known or not often seen carols or birth hymns such as Joyously Sang the Choirs, That Beautiful Name, Have You Ever Seen the Star, Dear Little Stranger, Shadows So Softly Enfold Thee, and He Became Poor among others; the holiday tunes here are obviously not for those exclusively celebrating a secular season. The overall album is also quite short, with only the standard verses of one or two famous carols and one full Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee rendition. Along with Christmas Hymns George Beverly Shea, the tracks here have survived as George Beverly Shea Christmas Joy and A George Beverly Shea Christmas, both available on CD or MP3 download.  Regardless of format, for those looking for traditional church bound holiday, Bev is tough to beat.  

John Lanchbery Conducts Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker – This 1982 two record set is one in a series by Lanchbery and The Philharmonia Orchestra along with Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.  The LPs also include a booklet on the music, the man, and the ballets all in a pretty and shiny red box, making this album look just as much a part of the season as the tunes from this December dance definitive.  Though this is a complete production spread over four sides, the music seems short somehow or goes by too quickly- perhaps because we so often associate The Nutcracker with big Baryshnikov ballets, varying family film adaptations, or  lengthy theater performances.  Even so, the instantly recognizable Overture and March, the Waltz of the Snowflakes, Kingdom of Sweets and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Waltz of the Flowers are all here for plenty of ingrained but pleasing sounds of the season.  This edition, or really any Nutcracker tunes you can accumulate, is the perfect backdrop for either casual dinners, formal parties, or a relaxing night fireside.

Joyous Christmas Volume 4 – I remember having several copies of this LP from the Beneficial and Columbia Records series, which is a very pleasant background album to play over and over again- which we did, repeatedly. The eponymously rousing Joy to the World leads off a seasonably round set of traditional arrangements such as Silent Night, Adeste Fideles, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and The Nutcracker mixed with more instrumentals festivities like Jingle Bells and Toyland.  We can also boast some special guest vocalists, from Doris Day’s White Christmas to The First Noel by Nelson Eddy and Johnny Cash’s Little Drummer Boy amid a solid God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen selection and samples from Messiah. Though it’s easy to find these tunes individually nowadays, the vinyl seems fairly common and easy to find second hand.  Of course, you could end up with something scratchy and flat, but that what I call ‘fireside’ sound is what appeals to me.

Luciano Pavarotti O Holy Night – You don’t have to be an opera fan to appreciate this long-winded 1976 collection of bellowing spiritual sweeps like Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus, and the titular high note- but it certainly helps!  Some of the selections are fairly long at over 8 minutes, and the heavy styles might be too headache inducing for a family dinner, but lyrics and liner notes are included too help budding fans follow along- even if we can’t quite sing along! With Pieta Signore, Gesu Bambino, and Adeste Fideles, Pavarotti creates a culturally classy album of global renditions as only he can. And hey, if you want to pick and choose your windpipes or go for even more tenor magic, the set is available for download or in a Special Deluxe CD edition with bonus tracks.

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 5 –   Perry Como’s Home for the Holidays starts off this 1971 LP in quintessential form, and the holiday hits continue with the equally ever-December-present Boston Pops Sleigh Ride, Harry Belafonte’s Christmas is Coming, and more.  Traditional inspirations like Mario Lanza’s rendition of O Holy Night, John Gary’s touching Sweet Little Jesus Boy, and the Robert Shaw Chorale O Little Town of Bethlehem/The First Noel medley balance the reverence as Henry Mancini does Rudolph and Frosty for the kids.  The Ballad of the Christmas Donkey by Ed Ames, Santa Claus is Coming to Town via Eddy Arnold, and a big Perry We Wish You a Merry Christmas finale keep up the seasonal pace, too. Naturally, these versions are oft available elsewhere on disc or as individual downloads, and this Very Merry Christmas record series from RCA for Grants Stores is a little more junk shop elusive than other sets like Goodyear’s Great Songs of Christmas. Nevertheless, if you could only have one record with all the classics for every aspect of the season all in one place, this would be it.

Again, the records here might be tough to find, and digital options or exact contemporary correlations aren’t always available.  Despite the vinyl vintage ebbs and flows or record resurges in popularity where collectors both reissue and overprice or shatter, Frisbee or otherwise trash; we need to remember to treasure the music of Christmas past.  Nay, it is our duty to preserve the flat hisses, bent tone, moldy art, and warped plastic of the musical yule’s of yore for future generations!

Inspirational Films and Documentaries

An Inspirational Viewing List

By Kristin Battestella

There’s no time like the gloomy winter present or the forthcoming Lenten season to hunt and peck for the elusive quality Christian film or documentary! Here’s a quick list of inspirational movies and heartfelt documentaries to catch anytime of year.

Agora – This seemingly obscure 2009 Spanish film starring Oscar winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardner) wonderfully deals with the early strife between paganism, slavery, philosophy, science, Judaism, and Christianity in Alexandria towards the fall of the Roman Empire.  Though tough subjects to deal with independently, let alone together, director Alejandro Amenabar (The Others, Open Your Eyes) also fits in a convincing romantic angle and women’s issues as well.  The fine dialogue is just right- the film itself represents an honest dialogue taking place in the Library of Alexandria.  Despite some historical liberties, more light is shed for good than ill with a well-dressed, non-digital, authentic looking design and period music.  Why don’t we see this time and place onscreen like this more often?  So many sword and sandal or Romanesque pictures are hit or miss, going for adventure and political statements over the tale at hand.  If they can all blend such intelligent topics with this kind action, performance, and design, then by golly why aren’t we making more movies like Agora?  

Crusade: The Life of Billy Graham – It took me awhile to watch this 1993 PBS documentary about ‘the most famous and influential preacher of the 20^th century.’  Well, this show sets itself up with some big shoes to fill, doesn’t it? The straight narration is slow to start with a lot of educational background and history; and in all fairness, they do have a lot to cover! However, the ninety-minute biography picks up with one on one interviews and insights from family and friends including longtime singer George Beverly Shea. Fans of the evangelist will also enjoy hearing casual and personal stories from the man himself, as well as frank discussion about presidents and politics.  The chats and reflections are a little deep, yes, and the length and long-winded style here is probably a bit much for a younger classroom viewing.  Thankfully, adults who have grown up with Graham’s warm yet zestful style will enjoy the spiritual reminiscing, archival footage, and uplifting nostalgia whether personally or in a group or study discussion. I’ve been watching Billy Graham all my life and I still can’t get used to seeing footage of him looking so young!

Luther – Overall, I was pleased with this 2003 biography by director Eric Till (Fraggle Rock) as a basic introduction to the father of the Protestant Reformation.  Although I still am not a fan of Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) and his uneven performance wavers between Luther’s crazy doubts and murmuring, bland rhetoric; the classy supporting cast including Alfred Molina (An Education, Magnolia) and Peter Ustinov (Spartacus, Quo Vadis) is delightful, if too brief. Not only is it difficult to dramatize Martin Luther favorably for all, but this is also not an easy time period to replicate without it looking a little silly in our eyes- what’s with those hollow bowl haircuts?  However, the beautiful churches, somber music, lovely locations, and both high and low styled costumes bring 16^th century Germany to life along with the well-crafted story of Godly revelation. While the English captions go a long way with the soft-spoken dialogue, I’d like to see a serious examination of Luther and all his flaws again in a big and proper production with a better lead actor.  Christian classrooms, however, might enjoy a viewing and discussion, perhaps along with the Empires: Martin Luther PBS documentary.

One Night with the King – Though not as well told as The Nativity Story, this 2006 biblical tale from director Michael O. Sajbel (The Ultimate Gift) is a fine family tale for Christian and Jewish families alike.  Though the narration from John Rhys Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones) is a bit much, Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, Troy) only has one scene as Samuel, and a little too much fantasy and lovey dovey hampers the story; Tiffany Dupont (Greek) is charming and inspirational for young and old.  The music is period enough, and the production also stays on the authentic side, but subtitles are a must for the mixed modern and thou sayeth speak.  Parents or teachers might also want to prepare with a reading and discussion pre or post- especially if the youngins ask, “What’s a eunuch?”

The Ride – Michael Biehn (Aliens, The Terminator) departs from his usual action and SF yarns for this lovely 1997 spiritual western funded by the Billy Graham association.  Yes, some of the youth acting leaves something to be desired, and the rodeo scenes in this a movie about downtrodden cowboys and bull riding dreams aren’t that good or even the primary focus really.  However, the inspirational turnaround and wonderfully heartfelt performance from Biehn can touch even the coldest viewer.  Again, some of the direction and writing from Michael O. Sajbel is a little obvious and borderline heavy handed on the sentiment.  However, if we could all watch a movie like this when we are our utmost despair, one might find one’s outlook seriously changed for the better.  That’s what quality inspirational film is supposed to do!

I really shouldn’t be a total grinch, but I do have a skipper:

Man of Faith – You want the religious sentiment and inspiration to come forth in this 2005 televangelist biopic from director, writer, and star Damian Chapa (Street Fighter, Brando Unauthorized), but the reverence never really happens.  Or perhaps it does, but you get really tired of waiting for it amid the zealous narration and bad but holier than thou Southern dialogue.  There’s little information about this film online, but I wonder how big names like Robert Wagner, Faye Dunaway, Jill St. John, and Brad Dourif came to be involved. Not only is the photography and camera work low budget, but the sound is bad on top of the overall poor acting and presentation.  And actually, I find the violent and threatening, gibberish styled Speaking in Tongues kind of insulting. Eh, stick with Elmer Gantry and The Apostle instead.

More Christmas Vinyl

More Christmas Vinyl

By Kristin Battestella

It’s that time of year again! Time to dust off those warped Christmas vinyl delights and enjoy the snap, crackle, and pop of records in lieu of a real toasty fireplace- after awhile, they sound the same anyway.  Here are a few timeless hits to enjoy again on the phonograph or bring into the digital play list. 

Barbra Streisand A Christmas Album – Reissued in several CD sets, this 1967 Christmas debut has remained popular thanks to big and fine Broadway-esque renditions of classics like The Christmas Song and Ave Maria, with new arrangements of My Favorite Things and The Lord’s Prayer.  I could, however, do without Babs’ iffy take on Jingle Bells- her super speedy arrangement makes you want to check if you have the right RPM speed.  Otherwise, this short half hour set is perfect for a mature evening of holiday martinis, mimosas, and memories. 

Christmas Hymns George Beverly Shea – The longtime Billy Graham Crusade vocalist lends his deep sound to not often heard classics like Put the Christ Back into Christmas, I Wonder as I Wander, and O Men from the Fields along with traditional carols such as Go Tell It on the Mountain and Sleep Precious Babe.  Obviously recorded with plenty of reverence in mind, this lovely set is perfect for a Christmas Eve candlelight dinner or a somber late night wrapping presents. Although it looks like this record is part and parcel with the CD A George Beverly Shea Christmas and contemporary listeners might not be accustomed to such old-time baritone arrangements; today’s spiritual families would be hard pressed to find a more focused Christian Christmas album.

Holiday Sing Along with Mitch – Well, I can’t think of a more annoying album than this kitschy set from Mitch Miller- and it’s complete with song sheets, too.  However, no holiday household full of kids is complete without this fifties best seller.  Honestly, Must be Santa and the Twelve Days of Christmas on one record? With Frosty and Rudolph, too? Oh me oh my, the kids can go to town with this one, and adults will definitely be singing along with these easy arrangements- by choice or torture.  Thankfully, mellow renditions of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, The Christmas Song, and Silver Bells balance the fun for all.

Jackie Gleason White Christmas ­– Though one can debate how much Gleason actually took part in his musical endeavors, slow and moody treats like the titular staple, Blue Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas are most excellent secular instrumentals for a lonely winter’s night or a private, mellow evening for two.  Even normally upbeat hits like Let it Snow and Jingle Bells are slowed down to waltzing pace with your turtledove here. Talk about fifty cents well spent! Such brass, such velvet…hot damn.

A Merry Mancini Christmas – This swanky 1966 LP from the Oscar winning composing maestro begins with a fine Little Drummer Boy and continues with smooth medleys of secular essentials like Winter Wonderland and Silver Bells- as well as the classic carols We Three Kings, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Joy to the World.  Some modern listeners may not be used to the choral styled vocals, but the blended sound is soft and easy for all to enjoy.  I don’t know about the happenin’ Rudolph rendition here, but kids always love that one. The record also adheres to the old format of secular tunes on one side, religious compositions on the other, assuring something for everyone, indeed.

Season’s Greetings from Perry Como – I happened to find this 1959 record hidden within another set and was pleasantly surprised to find all the traditional greats like Home for the Holidays and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer in one collection.  Como’s good old jolly mid-century style adds winter charm to Here we Come A Caroling, Winter Wonderland, and even the traditionally somber God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. He doesn’t have the range for O Holy Night, but it’s also nice to here this lofty tale down on the easy notch.  A Christmas Story melody of words and songs adds a little family reverence for all to enjoy as well. Como perfectly combines the best of the secular season with the true meaning of Christmas.

I’ve linked to the CD versions of these albums on Amazon, although a few are out of print or not available for download.  However, it also occurs to me that one might not have a record player anymore these days- although the current ease of USB plug-in and conversion processes have brought several copying entertainment systems back on the market in common department stores like Target and K-Mart.  My current record player- a Crosley stand-alone unit now discontinued- was an early Christmas gift from my mother in 2003.  I had spent the previous year without a player after the needle on my automatic player broke, so $60 at Value City was a stereophonic steal as far as I’m concerned. 

Even with the ease of digital music, the affordability of transferring equipment and the nostalgia of records at second hand shops have returned- and it’s just perfect for the Christmas season!  

A Taste of Christmas Vinyl

A Taste of Christmas Vinyl

By Kristin Battestella

Maybe it is a little too early for Christmas. Even a traditional Thanksgiving is subverted with December décor and holiday music. Nevertheless, to combat the early shopping season, I’ve decided to list my collection of Holiday albums. And yes, I mean albums-as in records, lps, vinyl. Dust off the musty box o’ records in the basement and get your collection out of the attic-it’ll melt!

I’ve linked to Amazon Vinyl where available. Some of these sets are well known in CD or digital and download media, but others are out of print and quite the value. You can even buy a few of these gems cheap at thrift shops or Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. Sweet yuletide tunes and doing some good for our fellow man- not bad, my little elves!

A Christmas Album Barbara Streisand

Christmas Hymns George Beverly Shea

The Christmas Song Nat King Cole

Christmas through the Years Readers Digest Collection

Favorite Christmas Carols Voices of Firestone

Great Songs of Christmas Album 2

Great Songs of Christmas Album 3

Great Songs of Christmas Album 6

A Henry Mancini Christmas

Holiday Sing a Long with Mitch

Joyous Christmas Volume 4

The Little Drummer Boy The Abbey Choir

Merry Christmas Bing Crosby

Merry Christmas Johnny Mathis

The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky’s Ballets

O Holy Night Luciano Pavarotti

Seasons Greetings from Perry Como

Silent Night: A Diplomat Christmas Record

Sing We Now of Christmas Harry Simeone Chorale

A Very Merry Christmas Volume 5

So, what’s the value of my collection? By guessing with the online auction prices, my Christmas records alone stand under $200. Not bad considering I’ve not spent $10 for the few I purchased! Every December, I am always tempted to find the rest of those Great Songs of Christmas albums. Then I go to the junk shops and see records I already have and think better of it!

I have more Christian music and inspirational hymns on record, too, but I think I’ll save that list for Easter. ;0)