BING CROSBY/I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS W 1484 (-62) US MONO

 Hight time for a Christmas LP. The shopping is already in full bloom. People buying overpriced merchandise they wouldn't even dream of getting any other time and stressing their brains out to make good. Better just to relax and listen to some soothing tunes. Here's one of many seasonal offerings recorded by Bing Crosby through the years. I guess most Crosby Christmas connoisseurs would prefer the 1949 10 inch "Merry Christmas"  https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/12/bing-crosbymerry-christmas-dl-5019-49.html or the 1954 "White Christmas" soundtrack https://monolover.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-christmassoundtrack-bkl-8044-54.html , but this somewhat later one also has a lot going for it. Unsurprisingly you get known seasonal songs crowned by Bing Crosby's familiar baryton with angelic background quires, here conveyed by top notch arrangements and production. And the audio is outstanding - strong and super wide with perfect separation giving a very natural impression. One of the best sounding monos I've ever come across. Maybe bringing a little less warmth than his late forties or early fifties LP:s, but still offering very enjoyable listening and guaranteed to put you in a good holiday mood.  Also originally issued on vinyl by WB in Canada, UK, Germany, South Africa and Downunder.  Australasian 1989 CD on Axis (CDAX 260300). Premiere US (also as stereo WS 1484) had label as shown here in a glossy sleeve with WB ad inner.  (YZÄ*)  (CXÅ*) (ÖXCÅ*)  (BCJ*)