"Christmas Songs" (Columbia) by Sinatra (incl. 2019 HD release updates)*

Got that book, actually; would recommend it also. It's a nice blend between Sinatra session info (information which in its entirety would fill volumes, I suspect!) and recording history.

 

Do you think I'm crazy to consider swapping out the booklets?

Dexter

 

Well, from what you (and others) have described here, it sounds to me like there was a drop in the printing quality on SOME reissues of this CD. But what matters most is the music. After all, it was an inexpensive purchase, and how many times will you want to read the booklet anyway?

Crazy, no. A tad obsessive, perhaps. (I'm not one to talk, though, as my preference would be to hang on to BOTH editions. )

 

I also have both versions of this cd and I also see the exact same color variations that you have.

To my eyes, it only looks like the older booklet is "darker" while the newer booklet is "lighter". Probably when they added the gold border someone decided to "lighten-up" the color in whatever software they were using.

It doesn't bother me. I'm keeping both cd's (I got them both pretty cheap - and both new!)

 

I got a copy of the '04 CD today at Amoeba for $4.99. The booklet is clearly printed and is identical to my '94 copy. (Weird that the year 2004 is nowhere to be found anywhere).

To be honest, I wasn't sold intially on the new remastering until I got to track 3 "Adestes Fideles". all of a sudden it hit me like a pail of cold water. It is "lively" and crystal-clear!

I never knew of the difference in this remaster till this thread. Many thanks!

 

Thanks for that report, Paul. I was beginning to think I was the only one here whose booklet doesn't look like a photocopy.

 

I'm on the hunt. They're out there.

 

Just ordered a "gold bordered" from an alibris seller. The UPC clinched it. $7.10 total w/ expedited shipping.

I'll let you all know how the booklet compares.

Michael

 

Dont buy the CD on amazon.de from "Monostereo" "Fulfilled by amazon". The amazon picture has the golden border, the CD not.

 

Oh no, oh no, oh no

So the package came today. It's here! Expedited shipping from Half Price Books ($3.50), Waltham MA. YES!

Got inside and TORE it open. There it is. Gold bordered. OMG! Gold bordered! It's beautiful. Flipped it over - bar code 2796. I did it!! I did it!

Let's bask in the moment. It's here, it's rare and...it's MINE! 2004 remastered Sinatra Columbia Christmas disc. In my hands! Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Opened the jewel case and...OMG (again), Oh no, oh my God no...it can't be, it can't...it's...it's...EMPTY! I nailed it. Nailed it! Except...NO DISC!

Denial. Anger. Regret. Denial. Anger. Regret.

A long pause...

On the phone with Waltham. Daniel in customer service. "I am so sorry. Many of our CDs are donated. Looks like no one checked."

So, it's here and it's rare. Coveted and way rare. It's the one. Except, no disc. No music. No Sinatra.

And for now...no Christmas.

 

I'm sure you'll find another copy. In the meantime, don't cancel Christmas. The Capitol era "A Jolly Christmas from FS" is a far superior Christmas album in comparison to the Columbia era "Christmas Songs". But, there is a catch with "Jolly Christmas" as well [of course] - make sure you get the Walsh mastered CD.

 

So THAT'S what happened to that missing case of mine!

 

Over all, of course, you're correct, Jack.

But the Columbia version of "Have Yourself..." is better than any individual track on Jolly. Perfectly sung and simply heartbreaking.

 

Whatever happened to QUALITY CONTROL????? Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

 

You guys are making me laugh.

So can I put it up for sale on the Marketplace? -- FS Christmas Songs by Sinatra: extremely rare, gold bordered Columbia remaster. Case and booklet NM condition, and once owned by our own Bob. Disc not included.

 

Wait, I do have that. Red cover with Frank's picture on the present. C and P both 1987. Christmas is back on!

Michael

 

That's good, because you know that winking smiley means "just kidding!"

Waltham MA happens to be little more than a stone's throw away from me, but I promise I was not the culprit.

 

Absolutely my friend. Once I got over my initial reaction, I thought the whole thing was kind of amusing - especially since I absolutely nailed the right version. (Of course a little Don Julio Silver did help a bit).

For now, it's a Jolly Walsh Christmas and the hunt continues...

 

Here we go again. Just purchased from a seller in Austin. He confirms: 2004, gold border, correct UPC.

Should I tell him to just keep the case?

 

Depends...is your booklet nice & sharp & clear - or does it look like mine? (see above) I'd wait & see - and if they're both good ones, then you should send one to me!

 

Just found one (2004 release ) today at our local used record store for $5.......the only version the had.
Last night I found the DCC Gold disc Sinatra Family Christmas sealed on an EBAY listing for $2.89 and they had 5 for sale.....I grabbed all 5 and will be giving the other 4 away for presents.

 

I tracked down the 2004 version and I am really thrilled by it--the terrific content, the song selection, even the sound quality. I'm a real fan of A Jolly Christmas and I was a bit concerned this might sort of pale in comparison. Not so! This is very evocative of another time for me and makes me feel like its a snowy Christmas eve. Thanks for all the great posts that led me to this music and the best version of it.

 

Hey Paul, I'm surprised you didn't comment on the back cover of the booklet:

​

There are at least two things "wrong" about this photo. Anyone else notice or care to guess?

 

No cufflinks and his eyes are brown?

 

Make that four things wrong. Those were not what I had in mind.