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We’ve already filled you in on our three Second Disc Records releases for Christmas this year (including titles from Chet Atkins, Eugene Ormandy, and an all-star cast), but our partners at Real Gone Music are at it again with a stellar and surprising lineup comprising more holiday-themed reissues of treasured titles, each due out on November 8.

First up is a country Christmas classic from Jim Reeves: 12 Songs of Christmas.  Originally released in 1963, the perennial favorite not only displayed the country country crooner’s warm voice, but also showcased the lush Nashville Sound as produced by Chet Atkins, subject of TSD and RGM’s The Complete RCA Victor and Columbia Christmas Recordings.  Though it’s rightly never been out of print, the currently available CD version of 12 Songs of Christmas is over 20 years old and the title was overdue for a sonic re-evaluation.  Enter Vic Anesini, who has offered his fresh remastering to make this favorite sound better than ever.  Not only does Real Gone’s edition feature enhanced sound, it also offers two bonus tracks – “Snowflakes” and “Scarlet Ribbons” – along with new liner notes by Steve Harmon and vintage photos.

Next up is the definitive collection of easy listening legend Leroy Anderson’s holiday recordings.  Anderson rose to fame writing for the Boston Pops and scored the first million-selling instrumental hit with “Blue Tango” in 1951.  Four years later, he tried his hand at holiday music with his 1955 album Christmas Carols.  The album was such a hit that he later re-recorded selections for a new album in 1959 entitled A Christmas Festival.  Though the 1959 mono mix has seen a CD release, The Complete Christmas Collection marks the CD debut for the 1955 mono album and 1959 stereo mix.  Real Gone has collected both albums along with stereo and mono mixes of Anderson’s holiday classic “Sleigh Ride.”  The collection features new liner notes from Leroy’s son, Kurt Anderson.  In all, it promises to be a gift to be treasured by Yuletide music fans for many Christmases to come.

Last but not least is a classic Yuletide album from conductor Stanley Black, Christmas Holiday for Romance.  Black was to Britain what Glenn Miller was to the U.S. – both led government-backed ensembles during the second World War and were cemented in their respective home country as jazz greats.  Black led the BBC Dance Orchestra during the ’40s and went on to become house arranger for Decca.  He also released a number of his own albums on the label, distributed stateside on London Records.  His 1954 Christmas-themed album (which also features a smattering of non-holiday tunes) will now make its first-ever appearance on CD with remastered sound by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, along with detailed liner notes from The Second Disc’s own Joe Marchese.

So get ready to hang those stockings, trim the tree, and spin these great new Christmas reissues from Real Gone!  All three titles will be released November 8 and are available now to pre-order. You can find order links below, along with full track listings!

Jim Reeves, 12 Songs of Christmas (originally RCA Victor LP LPM2758, 1963 — reissued Real Gone Music, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Jingle Bells
2. Blue Christmas
3. Senor Santa Claus
4. An Old Christmas Card
5. The Merry Christmas Polka
6. White Christmas
7. Silver Bells
8. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
9. O Little Town of Bethlehem
10. Mary’s Little Boy Child
11. O Come, All Ye Faithful
12. Silent Night
13. Snowflake (bonus track)
14. Scarlet Ribbons (bonus track)

Leroy Anderson, The Complete Christmas Collection (Real Gone Music, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

CD 1: Christmas Carols, mono mix (originally Decca LP DL 8193, 1955)

1. A Christmas Festival (Joy to the World / Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly / God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen / Good King Wenceslas / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / The First Nowell / Silent Night / Jingle Bells / O Come, All Ye Faithful)
2. O, Little Town of Bethlehem
3. O Sanctissima
4. While by My Sheep
5. Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella
6. We Three Kings of Orient Are
7. Patapan
8. Away in a Manger
9. From Heaven High I Come to You
10. Wassail Song
11. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
12. O Come, Little Children
13. In Dulci Jubilo
14. Angels in Our Fields Abiding
15. Pastores A Belén
16. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
17. I Saw Three Ships
18. It Came upon the Midnight Clear
19. The Coventry Carol
20. March of the Kings
21. Sleigh Ride (Mono Version) (bonus track)

Stanley Black, Christmas Holiday for Romance (originally London Records LP LL.1515, 1954 — reissued Real Gone Music, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)