Search - June Christy :: This Time of Year

Any Time of Year is good for June

J. Gunning | Midst the Oaks of SRH | 12/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On a couple of Capitol Christmas collections of various artists from the 1940s through the 1960s, I was introduced to June Christy. The first three tracks from the superior album THIS TIME OF YEAR were included on those Capitol collections (in there with Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, Nancy Wilson, The Lettermen, and Tex Beneke, to name a few...) June's contributions were standouts: tuneful, familiar yet unusual, and most of all, haunting. It's amazing that songs like "Christmas Heart" which opens the THIS TIME OF YEAR album, followed by the breathtaking showstopper "Ring A Merry Bell," aren't standards for the season. Listening to these songs (and "Hang Them On The Tree" a sobering review of a year's wrongs) I fell in love with June Christy's voice, as well as these few wonderful songs. In time, I'd discovered many of June Christy's recordings, including her seminal SOMETHING COOL. I learned of June Christy's legacy and the enduring THIS TIME OF YEAR record album, and, after searching, and hunting, and being outbid more than once, I finally found an LP in an online auction. Though my great old turntable is long gone, I do have a record player...mainly to play THIS TIME OF YEAR, and I was not disappointed to find the whole album a stunningly straightforward, artful and evocative record. Now we have the CD !! This record is for music lovers who love Christmas music, but hunger for something different; something with history, substance, mood, great song writing, and just plain great music (in short supply these days in so many holiday recordings). Pete Rugolo arranged and conducted impeccably, Arnold and Connie Pearce Miller wrote the songs, each one of them a gem. Apparently the Millers knew June Christy and though the songs don't necessarily reflect Christy's personal life (she was happily married for 40+ years until her death to Bob Cooper of Stan Kenton's band) there is sweet pathos and haunting tunes all of which sound like jazzy holiday standards you should know; the reference to drinking apparent in the title tune is perhaps even more jolting today, and there is a wonderful poignancy and poetry to the lyric and arrangement of songs like "Seven Shades Of Snow" "The Magic Gift" and "Winter's Got Spring Up Its Sleeve" (the upbeat close to this thoughtful album). What a treat to find THIS TIME OF YEAR finally available on CD (I bought 4 copies, one for me and three for friends, and will be back for more.) I don't give 5 stars easily. There isn't a more thoughtful gift than music you yourself love."

A haunting, lovely, joyous, fragile Christmas to you from Ju

Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 03/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I ran across the LP shortly after moving to Chicago in 1964. I, who had everything June had ever recorded, had no idea such an album existed. I in fact got a disc jockey copy. Only Capitol recorded albums of entirely new material with its traditional pop artists, most notably Nat King Cole's "Wild Is Love" later recorded by Patti Drew, and Judy Garland's "The Letter" with Gordon Jenkins. June's Christmas album was a hidden treasure. Such mature, wistful, melancholy and wise holiday music was seldom attempted by any artist and the songwriters who fashioned this album found the perfect voice to interpret it in their friend Shirley Luster Cooper. Everything here is amazing, from the vocals to the arrangements to the songs themselves. I can't think of another Christmas album like it. And now here it is finally, an unexpectedly, on compact disc to enjoy Christmas after Christmas and all yearround. You really must hear it to realize what a work of genius this album is."

A Must Have for June Christy Fans!!!!!

MARK MARANOWSKI | 12/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD after purchasing "Something Cool" and then wanting more of June's music purchased "Misty Miss Christy" and "June's Got Rhythm" along with "This Time Of Year". Everyone a gem. I'm beginning to wonder if June ever put out a bad album. This album is superb and I have been playing it nonstop. I'm glad it's on CD as I'm sure I would be needing a second copy by now from wearing out the first one.

There isn't a bad selection on this album. Every song touches a different emotion. The arrangements are wonderful and melodies are indeed haunting. It makes a nice addition to your Christmas music library as the songs are all unique and is a must have for your June Christy collection. Although I have only owned my copy for a couple of weeks I have a feeling I'll be playing it long past the Christmas season.



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