FaLaLaLaLa

Peter Wood Singers And Orchestra
Jolly Christmas Songs
Compose S98030
1968

SIDE ONE

1 The Christmas Song 3:09
2 Winter Wonderland 2:13
3 Have Yourself A Merry Little C 2:50
4 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let 2:37
5 White Christmas 2:41
6 Silver Bells 2:55
7 I Heard The Bells On Christmas 3:14
8 It’s Beginning To Look A Lot L 2:54
9 Home For The Holidays 2:55
10 The Little Drummer Boy 3:07

SIDE TWO

11 A Ride On Santa’s Sleigh 4:11
12 Christmas Candy 3:02
13 Mary Christmas 3:41
14 Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells 2:54
15 The Little Christmas Star 2:41
16 Snowflake Song 2:49
17 Deck The Halls 3:15
18 Little Shepherd 2:48
19 Silent Night 2:59
20 Hail Christmas 3:01

THOUGHTS FROM THE KING:

First of all, I love the cover of this album. Santa’s hat and boots are diecut on the cover and what you see are elements of the Christmas tree from inside the gatefold. I have two copies of this and the cover of one is mint. It is sweet! But what about the music.

Well, the style and arrangements are very reminiscent of The Caroleer Singers, though maybe leaning a little more Now Sound. As I mentioned elsewhere, I can imagine this album being played on the console stereo in the Brady Bunch’s family room. Somthing about the flutes just sounds like the incidental music from The Brady Bunch. Of course, if there were any information about Peter Wood and/or his Singers we might be able to find out if there is a connection. But I’ve come up dry.

There are just some inspired moments on this album:

The beginning of Winter Wonderland is begging to be sampled. Really, it is!
Let It Snow! is full of great “whoa-whoa-whoa’s”.
The beat of Silver Bells is so weird, and there’s definitely a Herb Alpert vibe in the horns (which is also evident in Christmas Candy).
They do a cover of The Caroleers’ Sleigh Ride Jingle Bells. Why? Was the original that popular?

This is one you have to put on and listen to a few times to let it soak in.

December 10, 2005