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A holiday tradition for pop music lovers since 1963, A Christmas Gift For You from Philles Records (aka ‘Phil Spector’s Christmas Album’) is being presented here track-by-track over the Yuletide season – all 13 songs in their RARE re-mixed two-track STEREO form!
One track per day will be featured during the holiday season during the ‘Phil Spector 12 Days (+1) of Christmas Special ‘ which will end on December 24th (Links for the tracks you may have missed thus far are below).
Happy Holidays – and enjoy!
About ‘Sleigh Ride’ : Orchestral composer Leroy Anderson wrote the music to the song beginning in the summer of 1946, completing it 18 months later. The lyrics were later added by Mitchell Parish in 1950.
[Note] This version is not to be confused with a classical piece of the same name written by Mozart.
Arthur Fiedler, the famed conductor of The Boston Pops Orchestra, was the first to record the orchestral version with his ensemble in 1949 (See below).
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Trivia Stuff: Like The Bells Of St. Mary’s and a couple of other upcoming tracks on Phil Spector’s Christmas Album, this song renders no specific references to Christmas. But its wintery imagery very much associates it with the yuletide, making it a seasonal standard.
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[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
SLEIGH RIDE
The Ronettes
(Track #5)
[1963]
‘A Christmas Gift For You’ Fact‘: Lots of information here about the album from the man himself, Phil Spector (along with Crystals lead singer La La Brooks) during an interview conducted by Mike Ragagna of the Huffington Post in December of 2013.
I love Ronnie Spector‘s New York accent coming through on “It’s lovely weathah for a sleigh ride togethah with you.”
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BONUS TRAK!
SLEIGH RIDE
Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops Orchestra
[1963]
The original 1949 version by the Pops was a hit for the RCA Victor Red Seal label, released in both 78 rpm and 45 single versions; the latter was originally issued on red vinyl.
Sleigh Ride has become the orchestra’s equivalent of a signature song, which they again re-recorded when John Williams was their conductor from 1979 to 1995.
This is the familiar 1959 re-recording by Arthur and the gang from their seasonal album Pops Christmas Party in “Living Stereo” (at least better than “Living Mono” eh?).
Ones You May Have Missed: (The holiday season is busy!)
Track #1 WHITE CHRISTMAS / Darlene Love
Track #2 FROSTY THE SNOWMAN / The Ronettes
Track #3 THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
Track #4 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN / The Crystals
Track #6 MARSHMELLOW WORLD / Darlene Love
Track #7 I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS / The Ronettes
Track #8 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER / The Crystals
Track #9 WINTER WONDERLAND / Darlene Love
Track #10 PARADE OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS / The Crystals
Track #11 CHRISTMAS (Baby Please Come Home) / Darlene Love
Track #12 HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS / Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
Track #13 SILENT NIGHT / Phil Spector and Artists
Related: THE BEATLES OFFICIAL FAN CLUB CHRISTMAS RECORDS (1963-1969)
THE BEATLES FIRST CHRISTMAS RECORD (1963)
THE BEATLES SECOND CHRISTMAS RECORD (1964)
THE BEATLES THIRD CHRISTMAS RECORD (1965)
THE BEATLES FOURTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1966)
THE BEATLES FIFTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1967)
THE BEATLES SIXTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1968)
THE BEATLES SEVENTH CHRISTMAS RECORD (1969)
Related:
WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME / Paul McCartney + RARE Macca Holiday Track!
HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over) / John Lennon
I WANNA BE SANTA CLAUS / Ringo Starr
DING DONG; DING DONG / George Harrison
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Song Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
