Friday, December 19, 2008

A Christmas Gift For You



My latest acquisition is a 1964 sealed LP, A Christmas Gift For You From Philles Records. It's a Phil Spector-produced album featuring his entire Philles Records roster, including Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans.

The back-up musicians read like a Who's Who in the music business at the time:

Horns - "Teenage" Steve Douglas, Jay Migliori, Roy Caton & Lou Blackburn
Guitars - Tom "Arbuckle" Tedesco, Bill Pitman, Irv Rubins & Nino Tempo
Pianos - Leon Russell, Don Randi & Al Delory
Bass - Ray Pohlman & Jimmy Bond
Drums - Hal Blaine
Percussion - Frank Knapp, Sonny Bono & Jack "Specs" Nitzsche
Strings - Jimmy Vidor Strings

Some interesting notes about the album and jacket cover:

- On the back cover, the "The" in Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans is both capitalized and not capitalized in several places.
- Sleigh Ride is listed on the jacket and album as 3:45. It's actually closer to 2:45.
- No time is listed for Silent Night on the jacket. On the LP, the time is 2:35.
- Marshmellow World is spelled with an "e" on the front cover and album. On the back cover, it's spelled with an "a".

I hope you enjoy these mid-60s classic Christmas tunes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Side One

White Christmas - Darlene Love
Frosty The Snowman - The Ronettes
The Bells of St. Mary's - Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Crystals
Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
Marshmellow World - Darlene Love

Side Two

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Ronettes
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals
Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers - The Crystals
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
Silent Night - Phil Spector and Artists