FaLaLaLaLa

 MERRY CHRISTMAS-and-a-HALF (June 25th)

NORAD Tracks Santa
North American Air Defense Command
The NORAD ‘Commanders’
Century Records
1964

(Note: Use Santa news reports, cuts 1-5, Dec. 24 only)

SIDE ONE
1.    S. Claus files an Unusual Flight Plan   0:49
2.     Early Warning Radars Acquire Track   1:12
3.     NORAD Pilots confirm Santa Vehicle   1:15
4.    U.S. and Canadian Aircraft Fly Escort   1:26
5.    Summary: Santa Claus is on His Way!   1:12
6.    Santa Promotional Spot (use prior to Dec. 24)   :30
7.    Santa Promotional Spot (use prior to Dec. 24)   :30
8.    "The Littlest Angel" narrative   11:18
    Story by: Charles Tazewell
    Narration: Derek Stannard, Major, Canadian Forces
    Original Music by Franklin J. Lockwood, Major USAF

SIDE TWO  – The NORAD ‘Commanders’
    Major Melvin A. Huyett, USAF, director

1.    Here Comes Santa CLAUS   1:46
2.    Winter Wonderland   2:38
3.    Here Comes a Wassailing   2:15
4.    Carol of the Bells   2:57
5.    Santa Claus is Coming to Town   1:56
6.    Sleigh Ride   2:54
7.    God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen   3:59

LINER NOTES:

About this album…

The "NORAD Tracks Santa" tradition goes back to the late 1950s when a
young boy accidentally dialed the unlisted number of the Director of Combat
Operations at NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs. The boy was
actually trying to phone a department store Santa Claus whose extension
was only one digit removed from the phone at the NORAD center.
The Combat Operations Center Director was quick to realize that a
mistake had been made, and carried on a long conversation with the boy,
assuring him that the forces of NORAD would indeed guarantee Santa a
safe trip from the North Pole.
A novel idea and tradition was thus born, and you have the results of it
inside this jacket…a series of spots citing the progress of Santa as he makes
his annual journey down through the space tracking and radar facilities of
the North American Air Defense Command.
To follow his unusual flight plan we must call upon all of the resources
at NORAD’s disposal…the Canadian Forces Air Defence Command, the U.S.
Army Air Defense Command, and the U.S. Air Force’s Aerospace Defense
Command. Two nations and three services working together for mutual
protection.
Five "Santa Tracks" are found on side one…followed by two promo spots
that you can use to advertise your station’s unique Christmas Eve service.
One other bonus rounds out side one of this production. It is the Charles
Tazewell Christmas classic, "The Littlest Ange!" written and arranged by
Major Franklin Lockwood, former Director of the NORAD Band. The song
poem has received wide acclaim when performed in concert, and is included
here to add a special touch to your holiday programming.
Side two features the NORAD Commanders, one of the finest big bands
in the world playing their original variations of traditional Christmas themes.
The Canadian and American men and women of NORAD are pleased to
bring you this Christmas production and hope it will earn a permanent
place in your library…

Produced by:
THE DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
NORTH AMERICAN AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
Box 19, Ent Air Force Base, CO 80912
Phone: (303-635-8911, ext 2388)

COVER: Bob Haynes, Coloroado Springs
MUSIC COORDINATORS: Chief Musician Jim Miller, USN / TSgt Ed Kiefer, USAF
MUSIC ENGENEER: Soren Bredsdorff, Fred Arthur Studio, Denver
PRODUCER: Captain William P. Campbell Ill, Chief, NORAD Radio-TV Branch

PRESENTED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY: THE NORTH AMERICAN AIR DEFENSE COMMAND

THOUGHTS FROM THE KING:

Well, here it is, Christmas-and-a-Half again.

And to celebrate this special time of year, I give to you this little bit of history.  The text above from the LP sleeve should give you the info you need to know if you are unaware of this tradition.  The tradition continues today with newer technology via http://www.noradsanta.org.  I have to say that I’m glad that the Pentagon budget still has room for this great tradition.

But listen to these songs.  When I first heard of the album, I could not imagine that the music would be this swanky and Now Sound.  I expected some rather staid marches or something.  But our forces in 1964 were obviously high on Beatlemania and The Tijuana Brass.

I’ve shared a few of these songs in the past, but here’s the whole ball (or disc) of wax.  There are also the radio spots on side one (which can now find their way onto the Christmas mixes you so dutifully compile for family and friends).

Enjoy!  And come back for Christmas In July! 

P.S.  For all things NORAD I highly recommend you hop on over to http://www.conelrad.com.