VA - Headin' For The Christmas Ball: 31 Swing And R&B Christmas Crooners (2020)

A nostalgic and varied Christmas compilation, not only for the holidays, either danceable or dreamy with a mixture of swing and jazz, rhythm & blues and crooner pop! Bear Family's latest edition of 'Season's Greetings' for 2020! Nostalgic Christmas with 31 Lindy Hop-Jitterbug-Boogie-Jive and Easy Listening rarities of the years 1940-1967! Among them the title song Christmas Ball, as well as the B-side of the rare 1951 Coral single of the Georgie Auld Orchestra with the great singer Bill Darnel, never before on CD! Knuckles O'Toole & The Brigadiers version of Jingle Bells is also included, as well as New Year's goose bumps classic Auld Lang Syne in the worn version by Guy Lombardo, and the famous version of the classic Sleigh Ride in the interpretation of orchestra leader Leroy Anderson, also known from the movie 'Polar Express'! Besides The Andrews Sisters there are more ladies with their great voices, above all the stunning Dinah Washington, the crooner lady Dorothy Collins and last but not least Kay Martin, who makes it quite slippery and erotic. They are joined by Jerry Lewis, Cary Grant and Mickey Rooney, three movie stars from Hollywood's golden era with their really rare recordings! Also available as LP (BAF18070) Christmas Ball! With this compilation we want to give more exuberance to the celebration of love, although some of the songs are nostalgic and dreamy and you might even feel transported back to your own childhood. This Christmas disc invites you to the Christmas ball, to dancing, to swinging, to contemplation and cheerfulness among family members, friends, like-minded people and guests. This music brings glamour into every hut, with all the candles, lights and crackling stoves, while outside it is snowing and stormy... Again a parade of rarities for Christmas As always, part of the concept is to focus on rare recordings that are not found on every Christmas collection. Accordingly, you should definitely get the previous 'Season's Greetings,' because then you can listen to all the CDs one after the other staying in Christmas fever. Some of the tracks are on CD for the first time. For example both sides of a single by the Georgie Auld Orchestra with the fantastic singer Bill Darnel, which was released on Coral at that time containing its title song Christmas Ball, as well as the B-side, It Ain't Snowin' Outside. Some exotic components come from The Surfers with Hawaiian sounds and The Enchanters with a mix of doo wop and mambo! For a laugh, the CD also contains a series of novelty recordings, from well-known and unknown greats like Barry Gordon, The Lennon Sisters and Kay Martin. Who remembers the touching Christmas movie classic with James Stewart? This film tempted us to involve some top movie stars with their comedic talents from Hollywood's golden era: Cary Grant, Mickey Rooney and Jerry Lewis! Rare recordings, but listen for yourself! Of course, the CD also comes with liner notes for each song, rare photos and many illustrations in the 24-page booklet!