Name: The Christmas Anthology 1942-1955
Brand: E1 Entertainment Dist ***
SKU: 905218
Availability: OutOfStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Perry Botkin and His Orchestra, Perry Botkin (guitar); Sam Fried, Maxim Sovolewski, Larry Kurkdjie, Henry Hill , Larry Kurkdjie, Alfred Lustgarten, Henry Hill, Sam Fried (violin); Van Simon, Van Simon (viola); Arthur Kafton, Arthur Kafton (cello); Joe Krecher, Nicholas Dan (clarinet, alto saxophone); George Herbert Moore, George Moore (alto saxophone); Harold Lawson, Richard Clarke, Harry Lawson , Richard Clarke (tenor saxophone); Edward Ehlert, Bob Kimic, Charles Gifford, Red Nichols (trumpet); Peter Bielman, Kingsley Jackson, Peter Beilman (trombone); Skitch Henderson (piano); Fred Whiting, Artie Shapiro (bass guitar); Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires (background vocals); Katherine Thompson (harp); Gerald Joyce, Nick Pisani, Meyer Oberman, Victor Arno, Walter Edelstein (violin); Allan Harshman (viola); Fred Goerner (cello); Lyle Bowen (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Jack Mayhew (clarinet, alto saxophone); Morton Friedman (tenor saxophone); Andy Secrest, Uan Racey, Billy May, Charles Green (trumpet); Gus Mayhew, Elmer Smithers (trombone); Charlie LaVere (piano); Spike Jones, John Cyr (drums); Norman Luboff Choir (background vocals); The Henderson Choir, Paul Weston & His Orchestra.
Additional personnel: Ella Fitzgerald.
Liner Note Author: Athan Maroulis.
Recording information: The Kraft Music Hall, Los Angeles, CA (12/24/1944-12/09/1955).
Author: Artie Shaw.
The late Bing Crosby (who would have turned 102 in 2005) wasn't a jazz singer per se, but he was a pop crooner who used his love of jazz to his creative advantage and went down in history as a major innovator. When you consider how many heavyweights he influenced -- an impressive list that includes Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Mel Torm?, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Vic Damone, Art Lund, Chet Baker, Perry Como, and countless others -- it is no exaggeration to say that Crosby was as much of a trendsetter as Charlie Parker or the Beatles. One of the things that Crosby -- who, in the '30s, did more than anyone to point traditional pop singing away from the overblown, quasi-operatic approach of Rudy Vall?e and Al Jolson -- became famous for was his charismatic performances of Christmas songs, which is the focus of this CD. The Christmas Anthology: 1942-1955 isn't an ideal collection of Crosby performing Christmas favorites; for one thing, neither of the two versions of "White Christmas" that Stardust/Cleopatra provides is the definitive 1942 version. Nonetheless, everything is enjoyable on this 39-minute disc, which ranges from 1942-1944 performances on the old Kraft Music Hall radio program to radio broadcasts from 1952 and 1955. It should be noted that all of the 1952 material -- which includes "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Silver Bells," and "White Christmas" -- finds Crosby joining forces with Ella Fitzgerald, who was very much in her prime throughout the '50s. And Crosby is also in respectable company on the CD's other version of "White Christmas": a 1944 Kraft Music Hall performance with Paul Whiteman's orchestra. Although The Christmas Anthology: 1942-1955 falls short of essential and is not recommended to casual listeners, it is a pleasing collection that Crosby's hardcore fans will easily appreciate. ~ Alex Henderson

Album: The Christmas Anthology 1942-1955
#	Song Title	Time
1)	White Christmas
2)	Silent Night
3)	Jingle Bells
4)	God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
5)	Holiday Inn Medley: Happy Holiday/Come to Holiday Inn
6)	Let's Start the New Year Right
7)	I'll Be Home for Christmas
8)	Adestes Fideles
9)	Christmas Song, The
10)	Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
11)	Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
12)	Silver Bells
13)	White Christmas
14)	Joy to the World
15)	First Noel, The
16)	Away in a Manger
17)	Deck the Halls
18)	O Little Town of Bethlehem

Album: The Christmas Anthology 1942-1955
#	Song Title	Time
1)	White Christmas
2)	Silent Night
3)	Jingle Bells
4)	God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
5)	Holiday Inn Medley: Happy Holiday/Come to Holiday Inn
6)	Let's Start the New Year Right
7)	I'll Be Home for Christmas
8)	Adestes Fideles
9)	Christmas Song, The
10)	Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
11)	Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
12)	Silver Bells
13)	White Christmas
14)	Joy to the World
15)	First Noel, The
16)	Away in a Manger
17)	Deck the Halls
18)	O Little Town of Bethlehem