( The ) Story of the First Christmas

The First Christmas - a special release for the nation's disc jockies

( The ) Story of the
First Christmas

~ 1950 & 1959 VERSIONS

Adapted by John A. Richards with musical arrangements by Mitchell Ayres Perry Como ~ Mr. Saturday Night!

Narration with Christmas carols: O Little Town of Bethlehem;

Come, Come, Come to the Manger; The First Noël; O Come All Ye Faithful;

We Three Kings of Orient Are; Silent Night

Roncom Music

First recording 1950 : original title "The First Christmas"

Story adapted by John A. Richards

as told and sung by Perry Como recorded as Part 1 and Part 2

Perry Como tells the Complete Story of the First Christmas

and Sings beloved Christmas songs

With Chorus & Orchestra under the direction of Mitchell Ayres

Produced by Henri René

"The First Christmas" is a 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm special DJ pressing.

Recorded at Manhattan Center, New York City

Recording Time 8:08

Recorded Circa 1949/50 ~ Matrix No. E0 CC 1891

Flipside ~ Special Voice Track Intros - Matrix No. E0 CC 1892

Album issue: RCA-45RPM EP "The Story of The First Christmas" EYA-19 MONO 1953

Remastered May 18, 1953 ~ Matrix No. E3 VB 1298 Take 1 - 1A

Single release: RCA Little Nipper "Blue" Junior Series WY-422 45-RPM Yellow Vinyl

Matrix Nos. ( 47-0259-A/B ) ( 45-5290-A/B ) Parts 1 and 2

EP release: RCA Little Nipper "Yellow" EYA-19 45-RPM Extended-Play Black Vinyl

Matrix Nos. E3PW-1298 ( A Side ) and E3PW-1299 ( B Side )

EP Flip Side: "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" ( with The Satisfiers ) ( 1946 )

and "Jingle Bells" ( 1946 )

First Christmas - a special release for the nation's disc jockies

The Story of the First Christmas ~ Little Nipper JUNIOR Series

| Lyrics | CD-Finder |

Second recording 1959:

Arrangements by Joe Lipman and Jack Andrews

With Mitchell Ayres and His Orchestra

Produced by Charles Grean and Lee Schapiro

Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City

Recording Engineer: Bob Simpson

Recording Time 10:01

Recorded July 13, 1959 ~ Matrix No. K2PB 4544 Take 1+

SESSION MUSICIANS & CHOIR

Orchestra Session

MORNING 10:00AM TO 2:30 PM

Leader: Mitchell Ayres

Contractor: Henry "Hank" Ross

Musicians AF of M Contract #8133

Chorus Contractor: Ray Charles

Others: T.B.A.

Harp ~ Gloria Agostini

Choir ~ Lois Winter, Sue Singleton, Trudy Packer, Muriel Shaw, Rosemarie Jun, Bernice Massi, Joyce DeYoung, Ann Ryan McCord, Dean Parker, Earl Rodgers, Alan Sokoloff, Dave Starkey, Bob Miller, Tom Motto, Bob Spiro, Herb Davidson, Bob Hartman, Dave Vogel, Leonard Stea, Lee Book

Album issue: RCA-LP12 "Seasons Greetings from Perry Como" LSP-2066 STEREO 1959

Album issue: RCA UK-LP12 "The Songs of Christmas" SF-5045 STEREO 1959

Album issue: RCA-CAMDEN-LP12 "Christmas Greetings" PICKWICK UK CDS-1113 STEREO 1972/76

Album issue: Pickwick-LP12 "The Christmas Collection" PDA-027 STEREO 1979

Notes: ~ "The First Christmas" was originally recorded in two parts especially for children for RCA Victor's Little Nipper Junior Series and released sometime during the early 50s. The flipside tracks for EYA-19 are believed to be the 1946 recordings from the "Merry Christmas Music" compilation. Mr. Como used "The Story of the First Christmas" many times on his television show, prior to 1963, and thereafter on his annual Christmas Specials. There were often slight variations in the dialogue but essentially the story followed the same sequence of songs.