The Beatles' Christmas Album
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| The Beatles' Christmas Album | ||
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| Compilation album by The Beatles | ||
| Released | December 18, 1970 | |
| Recorded | Abbey Road each autumn from 1963 to 1969 | |
| Genre | Rock and roll | |
| Length | 43:58 | |
| Label | Apple | |
| Producer(s) | George Martin (1963-1967), Kenny Everett (1968-1969) | |
| The Beatles chronology | ||
|---|---|---|
| Let It Be (1970) |
The Beatles' Christmas Album (1970) |
1962-1966 (1973) |
The Beatles' Christmas Album (USA) aka From Then To You (UK), was a 1970 compilation album of the Christmas records issued by The Beatles' Fan Club. The Beatles' Christmas Album was issued as Apple SBC 100 in the USA, and From Then To You was issued as Apple LYN 2154 in the UK.
Each year from 1963 to 1969, The Beatles had recorded a short Christmas message for their fans, comprised of carols, skits, jokes, and thanks to the loyal "Beatle People". Each recording was pressed onto a 17.5 inch flexi disc and mailed free to the British members of the Fan Club. In 1970, in the wake of the disunion of the band, Apple released the compilation of all seven. Despite the album's popularity with fans (through bootleggers), it has not been officially released since.
[edit] Year by year
[edit] 1963: The Beatles Christmas Record
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The first Christmas recording from The Beatles featured several renditions of the traditional carol "Good King Wenceslas," individual messages from the four, and ended with a closing chorus of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Ringo." An edited version of this recording was sent to members of The Beatles' American fan club in December 1964.
[edit] 1964: Another Beatles Christmas Record
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The carol "Jingle Bells" is sung, followed by individual messages to the fans. Finishing up the record is an original jingle, titled "Can You Wash Your Father's Shirts?" Another Beatles' Christmas Record is the only Beatles' Christmas fan club records not sent to American fans. Rather, at Christmastime 1964, US fans received an edited version of The Beatles' Christmas Record, which was sent to British fan club members in 1963.
[edit] 1965: The Beatles Third Christmas Record
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Several off-key, a capella versions of "Yesterday" are dispersed throughout the record, alongside Lennon's "Happy Christmas to Ya List'nas," "Auld Lang Syne," a possible copyright infringement of the Four Tops' "It's the Same Old Song," and an original poem titled "Christmas Comes But Once a Year."
Many members of the Beatles' US fan club did not receive this (or any) Christmas flexi-disc in 1965. Rather, they received a black and white postcard, with a photo of the fab four and the message, "Season's Greetings -- Paul, Ringo, George, John."
[edit] 1966: The Beatles' Fourth Christmas Record - Pantomime: Everywhere It's Christmas
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A disjointed collection of original songs and dramatic skits are featured in the 1966 offering. The songs include "Everywhere It's Christmas," "Orowanya," and "Please Don't Bring Your Banjo Back." The sketches performed include "Podgy the Bear and Jasper Visit Felpin Mansions."
[edit] 1967: Christmas Time is Here Again!
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An elaborate production, Christmas Time is Here Again! was developed around the concept of several groups auditioning for a BBC radio show. The title song serves as a refrain throughout the record. The Beatles portray a multitude of characters, including game show contestants, aspiring musicians ("Plenty of Jam Jars," by the Ravellers), and actors in a radio drama. At the end John reads a poem, "When Christmas Time Is Over."
[edit] 1968: The Beatles' 1968 Christmas Record
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The first Beatles Christmas album to be recorded separately, the 1968 offering is a collage of odd noises, musical snippets, and individual messages. McCartney's song "Happy Christmas, Happy New Year" is featured, along with John's poems "Jock and Yono" and "Once Upon a Pool Table." Also notable is a barely-recognizable rendition of "Nowhere Man" by the ukulele-playing Tiny Tim.
[edit] 1969: The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record
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The final Beatle Christmas offering was also recorded separately, as the band was crumbling at this point. It features an extensive visit with John and Yoko at their Tittenhurst Park estate, where they play "what will Santa bring me?" games. Harrison only appears briefly, and Starr only shows up to plug his recent film, The Magic Christian. Paul sings his original ad-lib, "This is to Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas."
