Capitol EAP 1-9021 (EP)
Songs Of Christmas
Issued before on Capitol 79-90032 (Single, December 1949), and on Capitol 7-90032 (Single, 1950)
Re-issued as an EP, with one extra track (‘Gesu Bambino’) – 1956 (Date unknown)
Side 1:
Songs Of Christmas (Part 1)
with Gordon MacRae and choir
Hark The Herald Angels Sing [Choir ONLY]; The First Noel; O Come All Ye Faithfull [Gordon McRae ONLY]
Matrix No. 4726 * Recorded 30th August 1949
Gesu Bambino
with unaccompanied choir
Issued before on Capitol 57-90037 (Single, December 1949)
Matrix No. 4729 * Recorded 30th August 1949
Side 2:
Songs Of Christmas (Part 2)
with Gordon MacRae and choir
Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly [Choir ONLY]; O Come O Come Emmanuel [with Gordon McRae];
Joy To The World [Choir ONLY]; It Came Upon The Midnight Clear [Gordon McRae ONLY];
O Little Town Of Bethlehem; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen [Choir ONLY]; Silent Night, Holy Night [with
Gordon McRae]
Matrix Nrs. 4726 (‘Deck The Halls’ and ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’) and 4727 * Recorded 30th August 1949
NOTES
In the original version of ‘Songs of Christmas’, the ten songs of the medley were divided evenly over Parts I and II.
The addition of ‘Gesu Bambino’ meant that ‘Deck The Halls’ and ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ had to be moved from Part I to Part II.
The choir featuring on this recording is The Jud Conlon Singers, while the organ was played by Buddy Cole. Their names were not mentioned on the record's label.
It is unknown to me on which date Capitol EAP 1-9021 was issued. Billboard magazine wrote, in its October 13, 1956 issue: ‘Capitol can be expected to reissue its standard winners "Yingle Bells" by Yogi Yorgesson: "The Organ Plays At Christmas," by Buddy Cole, and "Songs of Christmas," by Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae’. That’s the only proof I have found, so far, for a release date in 1956. Do you have more information on the release date of this EP? Then please write to me at info@jostafford-discography.com