CHRISTMAS JAMBOREE on Starday - King

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Here's an album that may come in handy over the holiday season. When friends and relatives insist on Christmas tunes, and you can't stand the thought of another minute of vocally altered pap by cosmetically altered "singers", throw this on instead. They'll either love it, or it will offend their waxed over ears and they'll leave. Either way, mission accomplished...
18 seasonal tracks here from the Starday, Starday-Mercury, King and Gusto labels. The genesis of this collection was a 1980's budget cassette that was loaded with great country and bluegrass artists, along with some lousy easy-listening banjo schlock. Here's the best of that collection, sans schlock.
Being a Starday comp, I had to include a little George, so I added "A New Baby For Christmas". Also of note is the Stanley Brothers' "Christmas Time Is Near". This version includes the original ending, during which some tape dropout occurs on the master. By contrast, the version on the "Early Years" box set has had the ending shortened to avoid the dropout. That is not the case here, collectors rejoice!

Tracks:

1. Reno & Smiley-Christmas Reunion
2. Mac Wiseman-Christmas Time's A Coming
3. Jimmy Martin-Old Fashioned Christmas
4. Hylo Brown-Christmas In The Hills
5. George Jones-A New Baby For Christmas
6. Jim Eanes-Christmas Doll
7. Reno & Smiley-Frosty The Snowman
8. Benny Martin-Droopy Little Christmas Tree
9. Jimmy Martin-Christmas Is Everywhere Except In My Heart
10. Stanley Brothers-Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
11. Jimmy Martin-To Mother At Christmas
12. Reno & Smiley-I Can Hear The Angels Singing
13. Stanley Brothers-Christmas Time Is Near
14. Jimmy Martin-Jingle Bells
15. Jim Eanes-It Won't Seem Like Christmas
16. Reno & Smiley-It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
17. Benny Martin-Santa Claus Is From The South
18. Lulu Belle & Scotty-The Empty Christmas Stocking

*download here*