Phil Spector's Christmas Album

I've been playing the Phil Spector Xmas album over and over this weekend (Rhino cd - you need to find one!). I've noticed that Hal Blaine's drums seem to be higher in the mix on the Ronnie Spector tracks, almost buried in the Wall of Sound on the Darlene Love stunner Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - one of Phil's crowning moments. Tell us about things you notice when you hear these songs...

 

I'll need to dig out this album tonight. This has been a staple around here this time of year for a while. I think it's the best Christmas album I've ever heard.

 

Ollllllllllllllld, well before the ABKCO reissue; there were rumbles that Rhino was gonna put out a Spector box (before the flood of boxes emerged), but that sadly never happened...

 

It was included in the Spector Box set BACK TO MONO.

 

Yes, it was redone for the Spector box but I think the Rhino is the one to have - you can hear the songs go completely out to the end when you REALLY crank the Rhino version...

 

Hmmm, that's interesting! I was under the impression it was the same exact mastering...I never did an a/b comparison.

 

I find the compact disc quite ear fatiguing!

 

My ABKCO is out on loan on the left coast, but I think it was redone for the box. Yeah, the Rhino is noisy from the prodcution, but it sounds pretty untoyed with (the hiss is plenty intact) - my turntable is kinds outta commision so I've gotta stay with the drink coasters. It's not bright sounding (is there anything Phil did that sounds bright)? What are youse mugs referring to when you listen and feel fatigued?

 

maybe not bright...just messy. My ears bother me after listening to it...just seems wrong. We love the songs though...I haven't heard the bootleg STEREO vinyl drop? Anyone?

 

Yes - messy - it would help if I had a jukebox to hear it through... I get the feeling that it needs to be heard coming out of an Altec Voice of the Theater speaker

 

As with so many other Spector productions, vinyl is still the best medium for Spector productions. Will likely remain so unless someone like Steve gets his hands on the original tapes.

 

Agreed! What you want is a 1st or 2nd press Philles for the mono, or a PSI '70s import for the stereo mix. The other pressings don't quite cut it for me.

 

I was listening to the Apple lp reissue earlier today.

 

The thing I notice most is Hal Blaine's incredible playing on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by the Crystals.

The version you can find in "Big Box" stores now is "Phil Spector Records Inc." on ABKCO.

..or a 5x8 speaker on the dashboard of a vintage Impala. Like the U.S. re-workings of the early Beatles catalog, it was engineered first and foremost for am radio.

 

I always play my CD-R of a stereo LP. The rhythm tracks usually sound pretty muddy from all the bouncing of tracks. The vocals and strings come through pretty well though. The opening to "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" is big and bold.

In the stereo mix I notice the singer clearing her voice during the intro to "Rudolph" and the "mysterious" talking in the background during the opening of "Winter Wonderland". There is tons of tape hiss throughout, and in this case I'm not so sure that's a good thing.

For the record, my LP is a very clean early 80's CBS pressing.

 

Hi all, and thanks Indy Mike! I was going to post a thread on this very subject. I have a sealed LP copy of " A Christmas Gift For You from Philles Records" PHLP 4005 with a sticker that says: Record Factory Overpressing. I would appreciate any info on what you all think I have. And no, I do not have a digital camera. Thanks in advance, Rob

 

Paging Ed Bishop....

 

You rang?

Don't know what a 'Record Factory Overpressing' sticker might mean...I have two red/yellow label copies(one slab is a bit thicker than the other), but they were not sealed nor in shrinkwrap, so can't say anymore beyond that.

Not sure if this one's ever been booted, but if it were, I'd be booting the blue label press, myself.....

 

Ed and all, the "Record Factory" was a record chain and this was their way of doing cut-outs. The price was $1.98. No cuts or punches in the LP itself. I was just wondering if this was an original mono copy or what. I'll look back on a previous post for more info. Thanks

 

Well, there's only one way to find out.....

Tried and true method...open 'er up! Check out the plastic! Then put it on the TT and CRANK IT UP!

Always works for me...

 

I have a super clean needle drop of the 1980s stereo European version of this LP. This is the only version I can listen to.

 

I also have the Apple re-issue Lp. Haven't listened to it in awhile. What do you all think of this version? Just curious. P.S. You guys and gals are great! Just amazing in the width and depth of your collective knowledge.