This song is not nearly as well-known as something like "White Christmas," but there have been enough versions over the years to keep it from obscurity.
It was introduced on a Decca record teaming up two of the label's most popular artists: The Andrews Sisters and Guy Lombardo:
You know right from the start that it's Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians playing and you can't mistake the sound of the Andrews Sisters, so a listener in 1946 didn't even need to look at the label to know who was on this record!
I've had a copy of the 78 for I don't even know how long and always thought it was a fun song. Back in those days it was hard to find out anything about anything, but I later did learn that it was a popular release.
I confess that back in the day I was somewhat annoyed by the corny and dated-even-by-1946 Lombardo sound, but years later I find it sort of charming!
For whatever reason, the other big labels (RCA Victor, Columbia, Capitol) didn't have any of their artists record the song at that time, which was often the case, so I don't know how it wound up at Decca.
The only other version I can find that I think is contemporary (probably 1947) is on the small Coast Records label by Jack McLean and his Orchestra:
That label just screams period charm! And Down Melody Lane with Jack McLean? I'm in!
The band certainly has a Lombardo sound to it and from hearing the other occasional Jack McLean records, it was definitely a sweet band.
We had actually run into vocalist Wayne Gregg back in 1936, singing with the Riley-Farley band. Wayne was with the McLean band when they cut some early Capitol records back in 1942, so if he was still with them in 1947, it must have been a pretty good gig!
Anyway, for some reason, "Christmas Island" had a mini-revival as a country-tinged song in 1950, with a couple of new recordings.
Here's the Dinning Sisters with country singer Bob Atcher on Capitol Records:
They definitely go for a more tropical vibe, but Bob Atcher has a singing cowboy sound, yet it works!
Interesting to see the sisters' names all spelled out on the label instead of as "The Dinning Sisters," especially if they were Capitol's answer to the Andrews Sisters!
For even more of a country feel, superstar Ernest Tubb recorded the song for Decca:
I cannot tell you how much I love that the female backing vocal group is named the Troubadettes! See, I'm well aware that Ernest Tubb was nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, so I totally get it!
It may seem like an odd song choice for E.T. to record, but it somehow suits him!
The song has been recorded here and there over the years and even served as the title track on holiday albums by Leon Redbone and Jimmy Buffet, who have their own fan bases to keep the song alive. Bob Dylan even cut a version!
Jimmy Buffet included the seldom-heard verse on his version, but I think the earliest to do so was British singer Dickie Valentine in 1956 on British Decca:
I like Dickie Valentine's Christmas records, which were apparently very popular in England, but perhaps not issued in the U.S. back then?
Note to self: I feel like I'm using the word "version" too much. Where's editor Slugger?
No comments:
Post a Comment