"Winter Wonderland" - Part 3 - The Revival!

So, we heard a bunch of versions of "Winter Wonderland" from the song's initial period of popularity that followed its publication in 1934.

It seems that the song was then largely forgotten, as is the case with most popular songs of the day, as new songs came along. It certainly was a long way from becoming the perennial seasonal standard that it's become.

In fact, I don't the song was recorded for another ten years or so after 1935, but it came back in a big way after WWII was over.

For some reason (maybe post-war audiences were nostalgic?), 1946 saw three new popular versions of "Winter Wonderland" on major labels!

Leading the way was Johnny Mercer on Capitol Records. We heard it back here, but let's listen again:

Nice, mellow vibe from Johnny with the Pied Pipers and Paul Weston's orchestra.

Perry Como had the swingiest take on the song on RCA Victor, which we first heard back here, but it's definitely worth another listen:

That's probably my favorite vintage version. I like how the Satisfiers are billed right up there with Perry!

Decca Records also got in on the act with the original "Winter Wonderland" hit-maker, Guy Lombardo, teamed with the Andrews Sisters:

This was the flipside of "Christmas Island," making for a popular record.

I think the Lombardo band sounds less Lombardo-ish here, giving a nice background for the Sisters.

They include the rarely heard verse in the middle, which is fun!

With these three records all selling well and the business of seasonal records getting bigger and bigger, "Winter Wonderland" was on its way to becoming a seasonal perennial!

RCA Victor was back in 1947 with Sammy Kaye's recording as part of the ten-inch album "Year 'Round Favorites":

That's old school "Swing and Sway" with the singing song title at the beginning and vocalist introduction by Sammy in the middle!

Also in 1947, as we heard here, the small Signature label released a great version by Johnny Long and his Orchestra with vocalist Francey Lane:

Love it!

It took a couple of years for the other major record label, Columbia, to get with the program, but in 1949 they released this fine version by Buddy Clark:

Good backing from the Girl Friends and Ted Dale's orchestra.

This was paired with "Merry Christmas Waltz" and was also recorded at Buddy's last studio date.

Lots of good music in the post-war Winters!