The English Singers brought a wealth of Early Music when they toured the U.S. and Canada in 1928. Included in this compilation is what I believe to be the first recording of 'The Holly And The Ivy',- recorded for the Roycroft label in 1928. Frank Luther and Zora Layman were were versatile performers who continued the tradition of early music when they recorded their 'Christmas in Song' album for Decca in 1939. Frank Luther recorded extensively doing vocal refrains for dance band and cowboy songs from the late twenties on. The Eveready Hour Group was comprised of regular Victor recording artists. Raoul Jobin was a French Canadian opera singer, born in Quebec City in 1906. He was accompanied on these sides by 'Les Disciples De Massenet' - a Montreal based 65 member choral group started by conductor Charles Goulet in 1928. Jobin studied voice with Emile Larochelle at Laval University, and with Mme d'Estainville-Rousset in Paris. He made his debut at the Paris Opéra on July 3, 1930, as Tybalt in Roméo et Juliette, and his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in1940, as des Grieux in Manon. The Associated Glee Clubs of America numbered 2,500 when recorded in concert at the Sesqui-Centennial Auditorium, Philadelphia in 1926. Recording 'Adeste Fideles' was a monumental feat for a new technology - the microphone. This concert would have been recorded with only one mic. To balance the sound with this many singers, quite a distance from the mic was required. You can also hear that the piano was set well away from the mic. The bass from the pipe organ comes through quite nicely. Most of these tracks are fresh hi-definition transfers - for smoother,clearer, fuller sound.
The Holly and the Ivy (Rutland Boughton) English Singers RCR 157 3009
Chrismas Day-They Come-Babies Night- Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
We've Been a While A-Wandering English Singers RCR 158 3010
Hark The Herald-O Come All Ye Faithful-Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Good King-Far Away-Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Carol, Carol Christians-When Snow-Sleigh Ride-Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Corpus Christi (Peter Warlock) English Singers RCR 157 3012
Goin Home - Eveready Hour Group Victor 35823 05/10/27
Nathaniel Shilkret (director) Lucy Isabelle Marsh-Olive Kline-Virginia Rea Della Baker-Gladys Rice-Helen Clark-sop/ Elsie Baker-Barbara Maurel-cont/Richard Crooks-Lambert Murphy-Lewis James-Charles Harrison-ten/ Elliott Shaw-Royal Dadmun-bar/ Wilfred Glenn-Frank Croxton-bass
Calm Was-Twas Clear And Cold-Oh Night Of Nights-Silent Night-Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Wassail Song English Singers RCR 155 2755
Boar's Head-Old Ch-Babe Of Bethlehem-Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Minuit Chretiens Raoul Jobin with Les Disciples De Massenet Charles Goulet VIC 11-8990 CA.1950
Down in Yon Forest English Singers RCR 156 2801
All Creatures Are Merry Minded English Singers RCR 156 3007
God Rest-Old Christmas-Cradle Song Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
Adeste Fideles - Associated Glee Clubs Of America Victor 35806 11/27/26 37055
Hark All Ye Lovely Saints English Singers RCR 158 3077
Medley Of Christmas Carols-Columbia Mixed Chorus - COL 50050-D 09/16/27 98397 Elsie Thiede-Olive Marshall-s/Elisabeth Lennox-Doris Doe-cont/Charles Harrison-Redferne Hollinshead-ten/Vernon Archibald-Frank Croxton-bass
Joy To The World/O Little Town Of Bethlehem/We Three Kings Of Orient Are/Angels From The Realms Of Glory/Hark! The Herald Angels sing/While Shephers Watched/I Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Silent Night/O Come All Ye Faithful
Hosanna To The Son Of David English Singers RCR 161 3027
-Wassail Song-Why Alas In Lowly Stall-First Noel Frank Luther-Zora Layman Decca DA94 10/02/39
O Christ Who Art the Light (William Byrd) English Singers RCR 161 3023
In Dulci Jubilo (R.I.Pearsall) English Singers RCR 161 3465
Adeste Fideles Raoul Jobin with Les Disciples De Massenet-Charles Goulet VIC 11-8990 CA. 1950
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