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Album Information

Here Comes Santa Claus

Released:
October 5, 1999

Label:
Varése Sarabande Records

Gene Autry recorded new versions of his greatest Christmas songs in the 1950s and ’60s and for the first time ever they are together on one CD, Here Comes Santa Claus.

This collection includes rare recordings of "Buon Natale," "Santa's Comin' in a Whirly Bird," and Gene's telling of "The Story of the Nativity" as well as the holiday favorites "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Sleigh Bells," and "Thirty Two Feet, Eight Little Tails."

The liner notes, featuring vintage Gene Autry Christmas card artwork, are by Mr. and Mrs. Autry's Executive Assistant Maxine Hansen. Also included is a history of Gene Autry and the Hollywood Christmas Parade by the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant. Here Comes Santa Claus is an excellent album for all generations.

Track Listing

  1. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) (2:44)
    (Gene Autry/Oakley Haldeman)
    Challenge single 1010; Pop # 70, 1957, also issued on Challenge 59030; 1968
  2. Frosty The Snowman (1:54)
    (Steve Nelson/Jack Rollins)
  3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (3:05)
    (Johnny Marks)
    Challenge single 1010(B); 1957, also issued on Challenge 59030(B); 1968
  4. Jingle Bells (1:59)
    (Arranged by Carl Cotner)
    Republic single 2002; 1959
  5. Silver Bells (2:09)
    (Jay Livingston/Raymond Evans)
  6. Nine Little Reindeer (1:57)
    (Gene Autry/Merle Travis/Johnny Marks)
    Republic single 2001; 1959
  7. Sleigh Bells (2:30)
    (Gene Autry/Michael Carr)
  8. Buon Natale (2:24)
    (Bob Saffer/Frank Linale)
    Republic single 2001; 1959
  9. Santa's Coming in a Whirlybird (1:47)
    (Ashley Dees)
    Republic single 2002; 1959
  10. Thirty Two Feet, Eight Little Tails (1:46)
    (John Redmond/James Cavanaugh/Frank Weldon)
  11. Up on the House Top (2:34)
    (Arranged by Carl Cotner)
  12. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (2:16)
    (Haven Gillespie/J. Fred Coots)
  13. The Story of the Nativity (13:41)
    (Arranged by Carl Cotner)
  14. Silent Night (1:27)
    (Arranged by Carl Cotner)
  15. Joy to the World (1:02)
    (Arranged By Carl Cotner)
  16. One Solitary Life (1:55)
    (Public Domain)

Notes & Background Information

The masters used for this package are from Gene Autry's personal archives and recordings.

Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Carl Cotner

  • Tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11-14 were originally issued on Challenge album 600: 1957, Christmastime With Gene Autry.
  • Tracks 2 and 10 were issued on Champion Records album 110: in the early 1980s, Happy Holiday With Gene Autry.
  • Tracks 6 and 8 were originally issued on Republic Records album 6018: 1959, Christmas With Gene Autry.
  • Track 15 was originally issued on Republic album 1966; 1966, Holidaytime With Gene Autry.

Compilation Producer: Cary E. Mansfield, Karla Buhlman, and Bob Fisher
Creative Consultant: Jackie Autry
Project Assistance and Research: Jon Guyot Smith
Digital Remastering: Bob Fisher, Digital Domain
Art Direction: Howard Levine

The cover illustration is from one of the many personal Christmas cards commissioned by Gene Autry in the 1940s and 1950s.

This compilation (P) 1999 Gene Autry Entertainment © 1999 Varése Sarabande Records, Inc. Released through the courtesy of Gene Autry Entertainment. All rights reserved. Manufactured by Varése Sarabande Records, Inc.,11846 Ventura Blvd.,Suite 130, Studio City, CA 91604. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Printed in the U.S.A. Distributed by Universal Music & Video Distribution, 10 Universal City Plaza, CA 91608.


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