A Tony Martin Christmas

The great singer Tony Martin did not record many Christmas records, but most of the ones he did make are unusual in their interest.

For this post - suggested by reader musicman1979 - we go back almost to the beginning of Martin's career, and continue to 1956. There are seven selections in all. They are from my collection and that of Christmas music maven Ernie Haynes, whom I thank once again.

In 1941, the Decca label had Tony record two songs by classical composers that are remarkably fine and almost unknown today. Neither were written for popular singers, but even so Martin was fully up to the challenges they present. 

"Christmas Candle" is by American composer-pianist Eleanor Remick Warren, setting a circa 1920 poem by Kate Louise Brown. The poetry is dated, but the song nonetheless is effective in Tony's committed performance.

The other side of the 78 is just as interesting. It is "Nazareth" by the 19th century French composer Charles Gounod, here with English words by Henry F. Chorley and presumably an arrangement by bandleader David Rose. This is a gorgeous melody that is seldom heard today. The vocalist again is fully engaged.

In 1947, Tony's holiday offering was much more relaxed and far better known today - the new "Christmas Song" from Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. Martin's genial performance, backed by Earle Hagen, is just right.

Moving ahead to 1954, Tony contributed a version of "Silent Night" to RCA Victor's Christmas LP To Wish You a Merry Christmas. I haven't found a singles release for this performance. For this number and all succeeding items, Henri René was the conductor. The complete Victor LP is available on my other blog, newly remastered. (It is at the end of a post devoted to the Voices of Walter Schumann.)

RCA's 1955 Christmas lineup - click to enlarge

In 1955, Victor had Tony record two new and very lively songs by famed songwriters. "Christmas in America" is just the kind of material that lyricist Sammy Cahn did well, here aided by a skillful Hal Borne melody.

Paul Francis Webster and Ben Oakland contributed "Christmas in Rio," a fun number that makes a apt companion for the Cahn-Borne song. Neither became standards, but they are well worth your time.

I hate to end on a somber note, but these numbers are presented in chronological order. The final song is the plaintive "Lonely Winter," a 1956 piece by Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman. It demonstrates one more aspect of Martin's versatility as a singer - from classics to torch songs, he did it all.

Thanks again to Ernie for the assistance and to musicman1979 for the idea!

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