For millions of Americans, Fred Waring's second Capitol LP release was the album of recorded Christmas Carols which defined the season musically in their households. Now you don't have to pull that old scratchy record out of the closet for this is the re-release of that recording. Fred Waring was born in Pennsylvania in 1900. He worked his way through college by singing and playing banjo in the group he and his brother Tom formed and called Banjazztra because they were a banjo jazz orchestra. After college they became a national touring success which led Fred into a radio presentation of his music, both instrumental and choral which had roots in collegiate glee club singing and their banjo jazz group. His radio popularity propelled him into being a Sunday Night Television visitor in millions of households In the fifties. Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians added dance and other visual embellishments to captivate the early TV audience but it was the popularity of his music which is his most lasting legacy. So here is one of the most listened-to Christmas recordings ever made. Half of the songs are accompanied while the others are the 'pure' choral work of this important group under Fred's direction. Merry Christmas!

Listen to Now Is the Caroling Season in RealAudio.