More Matt Dennis

I had a request for this Matt Dennis LP, which I am particularly happy to provide at this time because it contains two seasonal songs.

This is a selection of radio transcriptions that the singer-songwriter made primarily (I believe) in 1947, although this Tops LP dates from about a decade later. These were done for the C.P. MacGregor company, which was one of the major houses providing transcription services to radio stations.

Matt Dennis

I say 1947 because some of the songs date from then, including Dennis' own "Natch," a Merceresque tune that I would swear Mercer himself recorded, although I can't find any evidence of such.

Almost all of these recordings are of Dennis alone with his piano, which is the best way to hear him. The holiday selections are Matt's fine composition "Hitch Up the Sleigh" and an affecting version of "White Christmas."

Matt Dennis is strong favorite of mine, so I hope you will try this excellent record

Seasonal Music from the St. Luke's Choristers

I am rushing to get this one out on Thanksgiving Day (in the US, anyway) because it contains a few songs appropriate to this holiday, which are fairly rare.

This 1947 selection of "Seasonal Hymns, Carols and Chorales" came from the St. Luke's Choristers, a boy (and young men's) choir from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in downtown Long Beach, California. It was the third album of recordings made by the group for Capitol. An earlier set of carols remained in print well into the 1950s. As far as I can tell, this selection was never transferred to LP; this 78 album was apparently its only issue.

The St. Luke's Choristers were the go-to group for Hollywood whenever an adorable boy choir was needed. It is said that they appeared in at least 75 films. You can see them on YouTube backing Judy Garland in a 1937 promotional film of "Silent Night."

The album begins with two songs appropriate to Thanksgiving, moves on to Christmas carols, and also includes music for Lent and Easter. The music is comforting and the choir is pleasant, but truth to tell, the young men's voices are more threadbare than one might like.

If you are interested in more Thanksgiving and Christmas music, be sure to stop by my friend Ernie's blog. He is one of the great mavens of Christmas music and traditionally starts off his frenzy of holiday music sharing on this holiday. I see he already has three posts out there of Christmas and Thanksgiving music.

As for me, I have had some trouble finding time to transfer records lately, so can make no promises about how much holiday music I will be able to share. Will do my best, however. Happy holidays to all!