Falalalalala: Boomer Christmas Albums

When I was a kid, there were several signs that the holiday season was underway — the glistening turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, the arrival of the Sears holiday catalog and my dad’s annual trip to the tire store. Yes, the tire store.

Each year my dad took care of some sort of tire or car business at the Firestone store at the mall but we were really there for the store’s annual Christmas Favorites album. A compilation of Yuletide cheer by Julie Andrews, Roberta Peters, Gordon MacRae, Vic Damone and others tied up in a bright red bow.

I did a quick poll of Boomers’ Christmas album favorites, I’ve listed below. I found that many of these are now available on CD and quite a few you can find on vinyl as well.

Ten Well-Loved Boomer Christmas LPs:

White Christmas (Bing Crosby), 1949
Chances are this album’s title song is included in almost every classic Christmas compilation made after the mid-1940s. Crosby croons his way through all the classic carols on this fun album.

Elvis’ Christmas Album, 1957
Christmas with the King! Need I say more? Of course, Elvis’ rendition of “Blue Christmas” is, well, the bluesiest and the best! There’s also a memorable version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” like only Elvis can do!

Merry Christmas from the Chipmunks, 1958
Okay, what Boomer didn’t have this album? Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore were the impish little charges of Dave Seville (Ross Bagdasarian). I can’t get through the season without “Please Christmas, don’t be late.”

Seasons Greetings from Perry Como, 1959
Como was known as the most laid back performer in show biz. His signature sweater and easy style made his Christmas shows pleasant holiday fare and he did a good turn with almost any carol. My favorite, though, has got to be his “Oh Holly Night.”

Christmas with Conniff (Ray Conniff), 1961
Ray Conniff was a trombonist, orchestra leader and arranger. In 1959 he started the Ray Conniff singers and recorded four Christmas albums with the group. Every one of my parent’s Christmas compilations features a Ray Conniff track.

The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole), 1963
“The Christmas Song” first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946 is the foundation of many people’s Christmas music memories. The first African American to have his own radio show and second to host a television show, Nat King Cole was known for his velvet voice and classy performances.

The Andy Williams Christmas Album, 1963
Andy Williams could be called “Mr. Christmas Special’ — we never missed a one in our house. Over the years, Williams hosted more than 10 Christmas specials and several Christmas albums. Known for making songs, “his own,” this album one features It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” a Williams’ classic.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (soundtrack), 1965
Perhaps my first introduction to jazz, this album by Vince Guraldi is the soundtrack to the Peanuts’ wonderful Christmas feature. I can still picture the dust shaking off Pig Pen as he dances and Snoopy bounces to the beat. A favorite for all Boomers.

A Christmas Gift for You (Phil Spector), 1965
Producer Spector is perhaps best known as the creator of the early 60s girl group sound and he later went onto work with almost everyone including the Beatles and the Ramones. The album featured Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and the Crystals. Rolling Stone rated this in its list of 500 top albums of all time.

Christmas Is…(Percy Faith), 1967
Percy Faith is another orchestra/band leader I know only through his many Christmas albums. He was known for lush string sections and female choruses, both elements that make for great Christmas orchestrations. (back to top)

—Betty