A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

Last updated
A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
AJollyChristmasFromFrankSinatra.jpg
Studio album by
Frank Sinatra
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1957 (LP)
November 11, 1987 (CD)
RecordedMay 1 –July 10, 1957
Studio Capitol Studio A (Hollywood)
Genre
Length32:54
Label Capitol
SM-894
Producer Voyle Gilmore
Frank Sinatra chronology
Where Are You?
(1957)		A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
(1957)		 Come Fly with Me
(1958)
Singles from A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
  1. "Mistletoe and Holly"
    Released: December 1957
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra is a Christmas album by American singer Frank Sinatra, originally released by Capitol Records in 1957.

Contents

This was Sinatra's first full-length Christmas album.[ citation needed ] It features the Ralph Brewster Singers along with an orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins. Side One features secular holiday tunes, while Side Two has religious Christmas carols.

Capitol reissued the album in 1965 with different cover art and a new title, The Sinatra Christmas Album, both of which also featured on the album's initial 1987 compact disc pressing. The original title and cover were eventually restored for subsequent CD pressings in 1990 and 1999. In 2001, the album art was altered from its 1957 version. The CD bonus tracks were originally issued on a 1954 Capitol 45 rpm single, arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

In 2007 the album was reissued yet again, with a "50th Anniversary" banner placed atop the 2001 cover art and an additional bonus track (a vintage radio PSA that Sinatra did for the American Lung Association's "Christmas Seals" campaign) added.

In 2010, the album was reissued on vinyl for the first time since the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue, #1-135, c. 1986 (separate from the 1983 16-LP box), exclusively to independent record stores.[ citation needed ]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Jingle Bells" James Pierpont 2:00
2."The Christmas Song" Mel Tormé, Robert Wells 3:28
3."Mistletoe and Holly"Dok Stanford, Hank Sanicola, Frank Sinatra 2:18
4."I'll Be Home for Christmas" Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram 3:11
5."The Christmas Waltz" Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne 3:03
6."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane 3:29
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."The First Noel"Traditional, arranged by Gordon Jenkins 2:44
8."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley 2:24
9."O Little Town of Bethlehem" Lewis H. Redner, Phillips Brooks 2:06
10."Adeste Fideles" John Francis Wade 2:34
11."It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" Edmund Sears, Richard Storrs Willis 2:51
12."Silent Night" Franz Gruber, Josef Mohr 2:31
Total length:32:39
CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."White Christmas (1954 single version)" Irving Berlin 2:37
14."The Christmas Waltz (1954 single version)" Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne 3:01
Total length:38:17

Personnel

Tracks 1, 5, 6, 7:

Frank Sinatra with The Ralph Brewster Singers and Orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins

Harry Bluestone, Joseph Livoti, Joseph Quadri, Lou Raderman, Marshall Sosson, Mischa Russell, Nicholas Pisani, Sol Kindler, Victor Amo, Walter Edelstein (vln); David Sterkin, Louis Kievman, Paul Robyn, William Baffa (via); Cy Bernard, Armand Kaproff (vie); Kathryn Thompson Vail (harp); Bill Miller (p); Allan Reuss (g); Jack Ryan, Nathaniel Gangursky (b); Nick Fatool (d); The Ralph Brewster Singers: Ralph Brewster, Barbara Ford, Betty Allan, Betty Noyes, Betty Wand, Beverly Jenkins, Bill Lee, Bill Thompson, Bob Wacker, Dorothy McCarty, Gene Lanham, Ginny Rees, Gloria Wood, Jimmy Joyce, John Mann, Lee Gotch, Loulie Jeanne Norman, Max Smith, Norma Zimmer, Peggy Clark, Ray Linn Jr., Robert Stevens, Sue Allen, Thora Mathiason, Thur Ravenscroft

16-July-1957 (Tuesday) - Hollywood. Capitol recording session no. E-33 - Capitol Tower (from 9 P.M. to 12 M.).

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 12

Frank Sinatra with The Ralph Brewster Singers and Orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins

David Frisina, Joseph Livoti, Joseph Quadri, Lou Raderman, Marshall Sosson, Mischa Russell, Nicholas Pisani, Sol Kindler, Victor Amo, Walter Edelstein (vln); David Sterkin, Louis Kievman, Paul Robyn, William Baffa (via); Cy Bernard, Armand Kaproff (vlc); Kathryn Thompson Vail (harp); Bill Miller (p); Allan Reuss (g); Jack Ryan, Nathaniel Gangursky (b); Ralph Hansell (d); The Ralph Brewster Singers: Ralph Brewster, Barbara Ford, Betty Allan, Betty Noyes, Betty Wand, Beverly Jenkins, Bill Lee, Bill Thompson, Bob Wacker, Dorothy McCarty, Gene Lanham, Ginny Rees, Gloria Wood, Jimmy Joyce, John Mann, Lee Gotch, Loulie Jeanne Norman, Max Smith, Norma Zimmer, Peggy Clark, Ray Linn Jr., Robert Stevens, Sue Allen, Thora Mathiason, Thurl Ravenscroft 17-July-1957 (Wednesday)- Hollywood. Capitol recording session no. E-34 - Capitol Tower.

Tracks 8, 9, 10, 11

Frank Sinatra with The Ralph Brewster Singers and Orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins

David Frisina, Harry Bluestone, Joseph Livoti, Joseph Quadri, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Nicholas Pisani, Sol Kindler, Victor Arno, Walter Edelstein (vln); David Sterkin, Louis Kievman, Paul Robyn, William Baffa (via); Cy Bernard, Armand Kaproff (vie); Kathryn Thompson Vail (harp); Bill Miller (p); Allan Reuss (g); Jack Ryan, Nathaniel Gangursky (b); Nick Fatool (d); The Ralph Brewster Singers: Ralph Brewster, Barbara Ford, Betty Noyes, Gloria Wood, Loulie Jeanne Norman, Nonna Zimmer, Sue Allen, Thora Mathiason

Betty Allan, Betty Wand, Beverly Jenkins, Bill Lee, Bill Thompson, Bob Wacker, Dorothy McCarty, Gene Lanham, Ginny Rees, Jimmy Joyce, John Mann, Lee Gotch, Max Smith, Peggy Clark, Ray Linn Jr., Robert Stevens, Thurl Ravenscroft

10-July-1957 (Wednesday)- Hollywood. Capitol recording session no. E-32 - Capitol Tower (from 9 P.M. to 12 M.).

Tracks 13, 14

Frank Sinatra with Orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle

Si Zentner (tbn); George Roberts (b-tbn); Vincent DeRosa, John Cave (fr-h); James Williamson, Dominic Mumolo, Champ Webb, John Hacker (sax/wwd); Alex Beller, Felix Slatkin, Harry Bluestone, Henry Hill, Mischa Russell, Paul Shure, Victor Bay, Walter Edelstein (vln); David Sterkin, Stanley Harris (via); Cy Bernard, Eleanor Slatkin, Edgar Lustgarten (vlc); Kathryn Julye (harp); Bill Miller (p); Allan Reuss (g); Joe Comfort (b); Lou Singer, Alvin Stoller (d/perc ); Allan Davies, Betty Noyes, Betty Wand, Burton Dole, Charles Schrouder, Clark Yocum, Dorothy McCarty, Gil Mershon, Ginny Rees, Lee Gotch, Mack McLean, Marie Vernon, Norma Zimmer, Ray Linn Jr. (vocal on all sides).

23-August-1954 (Monday) - Hollywood. Capitol recording session no. 3507 - KHJ Studios (from 8 P.M. to 12 M.).

Charts

Chart performance for A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
Chart (2015–2024)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [3] 32
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [4] 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [5] 54
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [6] 28
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [7] 19
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [8] 32
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [9] 12
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [10] 31
Icelandic Albums (Plötutíðindi) [11] 27
Irish Albums (OCC) [12] 35
Italian Albums (FIMI) [13] 79
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) [14] 20
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [15] 19
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [16] 16
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [17] 14
US Billboard 200 [18] 23

Certifications

Certifications for A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [19] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

Gordon Hill Jenkins was an American arranger, composer, and pianist who was influential in popular music in the 1940s and 1950s. Jenkins worked with The Andrews Sisters, Johnny Cash, The Weavers, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Harry Nilsson, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

<i>Thats Life</i> (Frank Sinatra album) 1966 studio album by Frank Sinatra

That's Life is a 1966 album by Frank Sinatra, supported by a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Ernie Freeman. The album is notable for its title song, "That's Life", which proved to be a top five hit for Sinatra at a time when rock music dominated the music charts. That's Life was released on CD in October 1986.

<i>September of My Years</i> 1965 studio album by Frank Sinatra

September of My Years is a 1965 studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released on Reprise Records in August 1965 on LP and October 1986 on CD. The orchestral arrangements are by Gordon Jenkins, their fifth album collaboration. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

<i>Songs for Swingin Lovers!</i> 1956 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Songs for Swingin' Lovers! is the tenth studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, and his fourth for Capitol Records. It was arranged by Nelson Riddle and released in March 1956 on LP and January 1987 on CD. It was the first album ever to top the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Frankly Sentimental</i> 1949 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Frankly Sentimental is the fourth studio album by Frank Sinatra, released on June 20, 1949 as a set of four 78 rpm records and a 10" LP album.

<i>Songs by Sinatra</i> 1947 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Songs by Sinatra, Volume 1 is the second studio album by Frank Sinatra. The tracks were arranged and conducted by Axel Stordahl and his orchestra. It is a collection of eight recordings from six different sessions. It was originally released as a set of four 78 rpm records similar to The Voice of Frank Sinatra and re-issued in 1950 as a 10" record.

<i>Songs for Young Lovers</i> 1954 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Songs for Young Lovers is the seventh studio album by Frank Sinatra and his first on Capitol Records. It was issued as an 8-song, 10" album and as a 45rpm EP set, but it was the first Sinatra "album" not to have a 78rpm multi-disc-album release. In 2002, it was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

<i>No One Cares</i> 1959 studio album by Frank Sinatra

No One Cares is the seventeenth studio album by Frank Sinatra, released on July 20, 1959. It is generally considered a sequel to Sinatra's 1957 album Where Are You?, and shares a similar sad and lonesome, gloomy theme and concept as In the Wee Small Hours and Only the Lonely.

<i>A Swingin Affair!</i> 1957 studio album by Frank Sinatra

A Swingin' Affair! is the twelfth studio album by Frank Sinatra. It is sometimes mentioned as the sequel to Songs for Swingin' Lovers.

<i>Come Fly with Me</i> (Frank Sinatra album) 1958 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Come Fly with Me is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1958.

<i>Come Dance with Me!</i> (album) 1959 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Come Dance with Me! is the sixteenth studio album by American vocalist Frank Sinatra, released on January 5, 1959.

<i>Strangers in the Night</i> (Frank Sinatra album)

Strangers in the Night is a 1966 studio album by Frank Sinatra. It marked Sinatra's return to number one on the pop album charts in the mid-1960s, and consolidated the comeback he initiated in 1965. Combining pop hits with show tunes and standards, the album bridges classic jazz-oriented big band with contemporary pop. It became Sinatra's fifth and final album to reach number one on the US Pop Albums Chart. Additionally, the single "Strangers in the Night" reached number one on the pop single charts, while "Summer Wind" has become one of Sinatra best-known songs, making numerous film and television appearances in the years since its release.

<i>A Man Alone</i> (album) 1969 studio album by Frank Sinatra

A Man Alone is a 1969 studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, arranged by Don Costa.

<i>The Complete Capitol Singles Collection</i> 1996 box set by Frank Sinatra

The Complete Capitol Singles Collection is a compact disc box set by the American singer Frank Sinatra, released on Capitol Records in 1996. The four-disc set contains all 45 singles released by Sinatra during his tenure at the label between 1953 and 1961. Of those, 25 made the Top 40 on the Billboard singles chart. It does not include releases specifically for jukeboxes or for extended play singles, with one exception. The original tapes were digitally remastered by Bob Norberg.

<i>Dino: Italian Love Songs</i> 1962 studio album by Dean Martin

Dino: Italian Love Songs is an album by Dean Martin for Capitol Records, released in 1962. The sessions producing this album's songs were recorded between September 6 and September 8 of 1961. Dino: Italian Love Songs was released on February 5, 1962. The backing orchestra was conducted and arranged by Gus Levene. The original album consisted of twelve songs with distinct Italian themes.

<i>The Magic of Christmas</i> (Nat King Cole album) 1960 studio album by Nat King Cole

The Magic of Christmas is a 1960 album by Nat King Cole, arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.

<i>Frank Sinatras Greatest Hits</i> 1968 greatest hits album by Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits! is the first compilation by American singer Frank Sinatra released on his own Reprise Records. It concentrates on mostly single releases from the mid to late 1960s, which fluctuates between adult contemporary pop and jazzy swing. The album opens up with Sinatra's recent number one hit "Strangers in the Night" and continues through the varied styles of music Sinatra recorded in the 60s, from easy listening ballads like "It Was a Very Good Year" and "Softly, as I Leave You" to contemporary pop like "When Somebody Loves You" and "That's Life". Greatest Hits was a modest hit, peaking at #55 on the album charts in late 1968. A second volume was issued in 1972, Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. Both albums have since been supplanted with newer and more cohesive compilations.

<i>Christmas with Sinatra & Friends</i> 2009 compilation album by Frank Sinatra

Christmas with Sinatra & Friends is a 2009 compilation album by Frank Sinatra.

"The Christmas Waltz" is a Christmas song written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne for Frank Sinatra, who recorded it in 1954 as the B-side of a new recording of "White Christmas", in 1957 for his album A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra, and in 1968 for The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mistletoe and Holly</span> 1957 single by Frank Sinatra

"Mistletoe and Holly" is a 1957 Christmas song recorded and co-written by Frank Sinatra. The song was released as a single on Capitol Records.

References

  1. ↑ Balke, Jeff (November 28, 2019). "10 Old School Christmas Albums Worth a Listen". Houston Press. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra at AllMusic
  3. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Album Top-40 Uge 1, 2024". Hitlisten . Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Frank Sinatra: A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 52. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 52 – 2023" [The Music – Albums – Week 52 – 2023] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 52 (dal 22.12.2023 al 28.12.2023)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ "2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Album 2022 uke 52". VG-lista . Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Veckolista Album, vecka 52, 2023". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Frank Sinatra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  19. ↑ "American album certifications – Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.