FaLaLaLaLa

I must firstly state categorically that this is, hands down, the Christmas release of the year as far as I’m concerned.

That would be strong praise in any year, but in a year in which we will see digital releases (or re-releases) by Mantovani, The King Family, The Anita Kerr Singers, Phil Spector, Wayne Newton and even Bob Dylan, you have to know that this is pretty special.  There is so much to love about this collection  from the Johnny Douglas led Living Strings.

White Christmas 1963

First is the fact that Johnny’s daughter, Norma Canby, decided to release three immortal Easy Listening Christmas album in this 2 CD collection.  Along with the title album, The Spirit of Christmas (1963), this collection includes the extremely sought after White Christmas (1968) as well as the lesser known, but impressive, “A Christmas Songbook” (1974).

What is also amazing about this release is the clarity and detail evident in the recordings thanks to the expert remastering by engineer Tony Bridge.  The instruments are brought to life with plenty of room for each to stand out.  Listen to the guitar strums on Mary’ Boy Child or the subtle rimshots of I’ll Be Home For Christmas and you’ll feel like you’re in the studio with the musicians.  These albums probably sound better now than they did on their original vinyl releases.

A Christmas Songbook (1974)

This is some classic Easy Listening Christmas music, very much in the vein of Percy Faith, The Hollyridge Strings or Mantovani.  The strings are lush, the singing sweet and simple and the arrangements full of spirit.

Head on over to the Dulcima Records website where you can listen to a few track samples and order the discs directly from them.  I urge you not to let the $30 price tag scare you away.  You get THREE gorgeously recorded and produced albums on TWO cd’s with full artwork and liner notes, sent to you (very quickly, if my experience is any indication) from the U.K.

Go now!

It’s also available from Amazon UK for $20 including shipping.