Burl Ives - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Original Soundtrack) (LP)

The Rankin/Bass animagic film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared on December 6, 1964. Since then, it has become the longest-running of all holiday TV specials (with, we hope, no end in sight). It's fitting that the grandfather of all Christmas specials features Burl Ives, still remembered warmly by millions as the voice behind the film's narrator, Sam the Snowman. Although this soundtrack bears his name, Ives appears only on a handful of songs: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Holly Jolly Christmas," and "Silver and Gold." The remaining vocals are handled by various cast members: "Jingle Jingle Jingle" features Stan Francis as Santa; "We're a Couple of Misfits" is sung by Billie Mae Richards (the voice of Rudolph) and Paul Soles (the voice of Hermie); "There's Always Tomorrow" is immortalized by Janet Orenstein (as Clarice), and a chorus shares "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." The real musical genius behind the movie is Johnny Marks, a songwriter who had earlier wri