THE BEACH BOYS/THE BEACH BOYS' CHRISTMAS ALBUM STTX 340.775 (-6?) FRENCH STEREO

 It's a long time before christmas, but a good Beach Boys album can make you jolly regardless of season so here we go. As the story goes a kind of answer to Phil Spectors "A Christmas Gift For You"   https://monolover.blogspot.com/2021/12/phil-spectors-christmas-album-apcor-24.html    , which recordings Brian Wilson took part in but got sacked from. Anyway it was their seventh studio album containing a mix of five self-penned songs and seven traditional numbers. The self-penned are mostly classic pop or rock style while the traditional comes with orchestral arrangements from Dick Reynolds (who also worked with Frank Sinatra and Four Freshmen among others). It could have been a an awkward amalgamation, but this blends very well together, not only for the common theme but also because of the all over sweet vocals. It's July when I'm writing this so I'm not in the right holiday mood yet to pick any favorite tracks. For now I'm just hearing it as another enjoyable, well produced Beach Boys LP. All cuts are well executed true stereo and this French Pathé-Marconi press is exquisite - crystal clear with perfect separaton, making it very good to the ears. Full album below.  Issued and reissued on all possible formats all over the world through the years. First UK on Capitol (T/ST 2164). US CD on Capitol (D 163992) came with four bonus tracks. Not sure what kind of animal this French is. Seen it listed as both original and reissue, but if the latter it's an early one. It came with label as shown here in a laminated flip/back cover.   (BÅB*)  (MFÄX*) (CXÅ*)