The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings

From his first appearances on The Andy Griffith Show, America fell in love with Jim Nabors portrayal of the sweetly bumbling gas station attendant Gomer Pyle. But Gomer was just one part of Nabors persona. Nabors also possessed a rich baritone that he used to great, and comic, effect on both Andy Griffith and then his own immensely popular spin-off, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., during its five-season run between 1964 and 1969. Columbia Records signed the actor-singer in 1965, and after one album sung in Gomer s southern drawl, the label let Nabors real voice soar. His resonant tones were, of course, perfect for the sound of Christmas music. Now, for the very first time, Jim Nabors complete Christmas recordings for Columbia Records have been collected on one very special new release by Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records. The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings brings together 1967 s The Jim Nabors Christmas Album with 1972 s Merry Christmas, both of which have been long unavailable on compact disc. Produced by Jack Gold and arranged by Alan Copeland, Christmas Album featured Nabors on both secular and sacred carols, including a rousing Go Tell It on the Mountain and an inventive Jingle Bells. The Gold-selling album was so popular that it was the best-selling holiday album of 1969, and remained on the Billboard Christmas chart for an astounding seven years! Merry Christmas teamed Nabors with producer Snuff Garrett (Cher, Vicki Lawrence) for a more contemporary set once again blending holiday spirituals and pop favorites including the much-requested A Girl Named Noel. The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings also includes the CD premiere of the rare single I Was a King at Jesus Birth, and adds three more seasonal selections culled from Nabors beloved gospel recordings including two distinctive renditions of Ave Maria and his heartfelt recording of The Lord s Prayer. The Second Disc s Joe Marchese has written the liner notes for this nostalgic, 79 minute-plus new release, which has been sparklingly remastered by Maria Triana at Sony s Battery Studios. Jim Nabors timeless, joyful Christmas classics have never sounded so vivid...The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings just might have you and your whole family exclaiming, Shazam!