Merry 1940's Christmas

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B00061NLDQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,133 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. A Merry American Christmas - Kate Smith

2. Here Comes Santa Claus (down Santa Claus Lane)

3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry

4. The First Noel/Angels from the Realms of Glory - Richard Keys Biggs

5. Christmas Dreaming (a Little Early This Year)

6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra

7. Little Jack Frost Get Lost - Frankie Carle

8. Blue Christmas - Hugo Winterhalter

9. Baby. It’s Cold Outside - Pearl Bailey & Hot Lips Page

10. White Christmas - Charlie Spivak

11. Ol’ Saint Nicholas - Doris Day

12. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) - Lyn Murray Singers

13. Winter Wonderland - Buddy Clark

14. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

15. When You Trim Your Christmas Tree - Les Brown

16. All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - Mary Kaye Trio

17. Ave Maria - Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra & Choir

18. The Merry Christmas Polka - Dinah Shore

19. Winter Weather - Benny Goodman (Art Lund & Peggy Lee, vocal)

20. I’ll Be Home for Christmas - Jerry Wayne

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Christmas always has been and always will be an important holiday, but during the ’40s it took on a special meaning. For some, it meant the cessation of hostilities and a chance for a good meal; for others, it was the time of the year when the pangs for a missing loved one were particularly acute. And as always, Christmas meant a celebration of spirit, family and—most importantly during that momentous decade—hope. We’ve collected 25 of the most beloved holiday-themed recordings from the ’40s for your listening enjoyment—we daresay they’ll make your 21st-century Christmas celebrations a little brighter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars and the nostaligia continues..., November 18, 2007

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Merry 1940's Christmas (Audio CD)

A Merry 1940's Christmas features twenty six great songs by some of the best artists of the 1940s. This CD is sure to please everyone who enjoys classic Christmastime vocals; and I can't believe it's not currently in print!

The CD starts with the famous Kate Smith performing "A Merry American Christmas." This charming tune uses the brass well as Kate Smith sings this to perfection. Kate's excellent diction bolsters her performance, too. Gene Autry also does his classic "Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)." The melody is sweet and Gene Autry delivers this upbeat tune without a superfluous note! Love the bells and percussion! Moreover, listen for a young Frank Sinatra singing "Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year)." The strings enhance the natural beauty of "Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year)" and Frank never sounded better!

The hits keep coming. Listen for Pearl Bailey and Hot Lips Page on "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Their banter during this great number makes it nothing short of perfect. Dinah Shore and the Rhythmaires perform a lovely rendition of "The Merry Christmas Polka;" and Frank Sinatra returns to sing a splendid "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

We also get Gene Autry's " Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" which was a big hit for him when others considered it too "corny" to record; and the CD ends with a charming interpretation of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" with Kay Kyser & His Orchestra; Harry Babbitt sings this last number to perfection. I have to wonder why I haven't heard more of Harry Babbitt.

Of course, there are some additional numbers that stick to the more religious themes of Christmas. We get "Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)" and "Ava Maria."

The liner notes have great artwork and the essay by Joseph F. Laredo is very informative. Great!

Overall, anyone who enjoys classic Christmastime vocals will cherish this album for years to come. I highly recommend this CD of classic holiday tunes.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Pop., November 14, 2005

By 

Jiggs "Bounder & Ne'er-do-well" (In my mind's eye, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merry 1940's Christmas (Audio CD)

This is a true 1940's collection. It features several things I've never seen elsewhere. The whole thing is pleasant and not the same few 1940's Christmas songs. If you like nostalgia and warmth at Christmas, this will enhance the season.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a trip back in time...., October 19, 2005

By 

S. K. Peck "sillysand" (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merry 1940's Christmas (Audio CD)

A Merry 1940s Christmas is a nice collection of recordings by some of the most popular artists of the decade. Most of the selections are unique to this compilation. Here is the track listing:

1. A Merry American Christmas--Kate Smith, Orchestra under direction of Jack Miller

2. When You Trim Your Christmas Tree--Les Brown & His Orchestra, Vocal by Jack Haskell

3. Here Comes Santa Claus(Down Santa Claus Lane)--Gene Autry

4. The First Noel/Angels from the Realms of Glory--Richard Keys Biggs(played on the great organ of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Hollywood)

5. Christmas Dreaming(A Little Early This Year)--Frank Sinatra, Orchestra under direction of Axel Stordahl

6. Little Jack Frost Get Lost--Frankie Carle & His Orchestra, Vocal by Marjorie Hughes

7. Blue Christmas--Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra and Choir

8. Baby, It's Cold Outside--Pearl Bailey & Hot Lips Page with Rhythm Accompaniment

9. White Christmas--Charlie Spivak & His Orchestra, Vocal by Garry Stevens

10. Ol' Saint Nicholas--Doris Day with male quartet

11. Adeste Fideles(O Come, All Ye Faithful)--The Lyn Murray Singers conducted by Lyn Murray, solos by Ruth Carhart & Floyd Sherman

12. Winter Wonderland--Buddy Clark with the Girl Friends, Orchestra under direction of Ted Dale

13. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm--Les Brown & His Band of Renown

14. All I Want for Christmas(Is My Two Front Teeth)--Mary Kaye Trio, Orchestra under direction of George Wyle

15. Ave Maria--Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra and Choir, featuring vocal solo by Jeanne and Evelyn & Her Magic Violin; under direction of Phil Spitalny

16. The Merry Christmas Polka--Dinah Shore with Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires; Orchestra under direction of Harry Zimmerman

17. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas(from the MGM Picture "Meet Me in St. Louis")--Frank Sinatra; Orchestra under direction of Axel Stordahl

18. Winter Weather--Benny Goodman & His Orchestra; Vocal by Art Lund & Peggy Lee

19. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--Gene Autry & The Pinafores with orchestal accompaniment

20. I'll Be Home for Christmas--Jerry Wayne and vocal group with orchestral accompaniment

21. The Skaters(Les Patineurs)--Al Goodman & His Orchestra

22. The Jingle Bell Polka--The Modernaires Featuring Hal Dickinson; Orchestra under direction of Lou Bring

23. The Christmas Song(Merry Christmas to You)--Les Brown & His Orchestra; Vocal by Doris Day

24. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!--Woody Herman & His Orchestra; Vocal by Woody Herman

25. Auld Lang Syne--Tommy Tucker Time; Vocal by Don Brown, Kerwin Somerville & The Three Two-Timers

26. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?--Kay Kyser & His Orchestra; Vocal by Harry Babbitt and The Campus Kids

A very pleasant trip back to a time when the bandleader was the star and the band was called an Orchestra! Highly recommended for fans of 1940's music and vocalists.