Songs Of Christmas Past

Songs Of Christmas Past

Step back into the golden age of British popular music with Songs Of Christmas Past, a festive compilation celebrating the warmth, charm and nostalgia of Christmas recordings from the 1940s and 1950s. Released by London Records in 1986, this collection brings together an appealing selection of seasonal songs performed by some of Britain's best-loved singers and entertainers of the post-war era.

Featuring Dickie Valentine, Vera Lynn, Anne Shelton, Lita Roza, David Whitfield, Dave King, Archie Lewis, Primo Scala, Billy Cotton, The Beverley Sisters and The Four Ramblers, the album offers a fascinating snapshot of mid-century Christmas entertainment. Its musical world embraces traditional carols, orchestral popular songs, light entertainment and cheerful seasonal favourites, reflecting a time when festive music was shaped by radio broadcasts, dance bands and the distinctive voices of Britain's popular recording stars.

Dickie Valentine brings his unmistakable vocal style to Christmas Alphabet and Christmas Island, while Vera Lynn lends her warmth to I'm Sending A Letter To Santa Claus and the enduring seasonal standard White Christmas. Anne Shelton appears three times, performing Away In A Manger, The Christmas Song and Merry Christmas, demonstrating the range of traditional and popular material represented across the collection.

There are plenty of familiar festive favourites, including Primo Scala's versions of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells, Billy Cotton's I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and The Beverley Sisters' Little Donkey. Lita Roza contributes the poignant The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot alongside St. Nicolas Waltz, while David Whitfield's powerful vocal performances on Santo Natale (Merry Christmas) and Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) add a more traditional, grandly melodic dimension.

The selection also reaches beyond the most familiar Christmas standards. Dave King's Christmas And You, Archie Lewis's Silent Night Holy Night and The Four Ramblers' Christmas In Killarney help give the album its varied character, moving between sentimental ballads, traditional religious songs and lighter seasonal entertainment.

Part of the appeal of Songs Of Christmas Past is its preservation of a particular era of British musical culture. These performances evoke the sound of vintage radio, post-war popular entertainment and Christmas celebrations before festive pop became dominated by later rock and contemporary chart productions. For listeners who appreciate classic British vocalists, traditional Christmas music and the nostalgic character of mid-century recordings, this compilation offers a charming alternative to modern seasonal playlists.

A lovely addition to a collection of vintage Christmas vinyl, Songs Of Christmas Past is suited to festive gatherings, quiet winter evenings and anyone looking to rediscover the voices and songs that helped shape an earlier generation's Christmas soundtrack.

Tracklist

Side A

A1. Dickie Valentine – Christmas Alphabet
A2. Primo Scala – Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
A3. Dave King – Christmas And You
A4. Anne Shelton – Away In A Manger
A5. Dickie Valentine – Christmas Island
A6. Vera Lynn – I'm Sending A Letter To Santa Claus
A7. Archie Lewis – Silent Night Holy Night
A8. Lita Roza – St. Nicolas Waltz
A9. David Whitfield – Santo Natale (Merry Christmas)

Side B

B1. Lita Roza – The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
B2. Primo Scala – Jingle Bells
B3. Vera Lynn – White Christmas
B4. Anne Shelton – The Christmas Song
B5. Billy Cotton – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
B6. The Beverley Sisters – Little Donkey
B7. The Four Ramblers – Christmas In Killarney
B8. Anne Shelton – Merry Christmas
B9. David Whitfield – Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)