All the Best for Christmas from Jack Carroll

The other day I shared a group of promotional records that included a publisher's demo from Bernie Knee, who was one of the best known demo singers of the time. Now here is a full Christmas album featuring another demo specialist, Jack Carroll.

This LP came out in 1959 on the small Laurie label (Dion and the Belmonts were it hit artists), although I suspect Carroll recorded it years earlier. But before I get to the speculation about its origins, a few words about the singer.

From what I can tell, Carroll was born Vincenzo Riccio in New Jersey, and started in the business as a big band singer with Les Brown, Tex Beneke and Sammy Kaye. He recorded for Decca, Majar (including a tune called "Whistling Otto, the Baby Reindeer," which I would like to hear, once), and on MGM, Rondo and National with Russ Case.

Rose Mary Jun and Jack Carroll at the Pins and Needles sessions

Perhaps his longest stint with a label was from 1955 to 1957 on Unique, where he taped a good album called "My Heart Sings" and singles. Then came this holiday album, a 1962 Pins and Needles studio recording on Columbia, a 1963 LP on VRC, and many, many demos and ads. He also appeared in a few movies as (for some reason) Jidge Carroll.

As you might expect from a demo singer, Carroll's diction and intonation are excellent. Depending on your taste, you may find him subtle - or bland. For me, this understated approach works well for this over-exposed holiday fare.

As I mentioned, I doubt that this was a new recording when it was released in 1959. Here's why. There is no stereo release that I can trace. There are only eight vocals, suggesting this was planned as a 10-inch LP, a format that was almost extinct in the US in 1959. The listed arranger is Eliot Glenn, but I can't find any other mention of a musician by that name. The arrangements themselves are badly dated, with their Miller and Lombardo overtones. The newest song on the LP ("Home for the Holidays") is from 1954. My best guess is that this comes from Carroll's time at Unique.