While it is true that most of the tracks on Decca DL-8083 are studio recreations of songs in “White Christmas”, these were recorded under the supervision of the film’s music director, Joseph J. Lilley at Paramount in 1954, after the film’s completion when it became apparent that Rosemary Clooney’s vocals would not be available to Decca for inclusion on a sound track album of the picture. Lilley used a reduced orchestra for these sessions of about 35 players in contrast to the 65 used for the film and the orchestrations were also reduced to accommodate this smaller ensemble. The orchestrations for “Sisters” & “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me” were completely different from those used in the film to better suit the vocal style of Peggy Lee, who took over Clooney’s songs for the album and a new arrangement combining “The Old Man” & “Gee I Wish I was Back in the Army” featuring stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye was also recorded specifically for the Decca LP as was “Choreography”. Danny Kaye’s vocal with chorus of “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing”, “What Can You Do with A General”, “Mandy”, “Snow”, “Count Your Blessings” & “Blue Skies” were either re-edited or alternate versions of performances recorded for the sound track and if you listen carefully you will notice the larger orchestra used on these tracks. The “White Christmas” Finale on the LP is the actual sound track longer alternate recording of the finale with Peggy Lee’s voice replacing Clooney’s vocal track. This version was re-edited in the film as a slightly shorter finale with a different, much more dramatic orchestral ending.
Although Rosemary Clooney recorded her own studio album of songs from “White Christmas” for Columbia, several of her actual sound track performances from the film were included on a 2003 Bear Family multi CD Box Set entitled “Come On-A My House”. This marked the first time Clooney’s sound track vocals have ever been commercially released.
My Avatar is the amazing young singer, James Anest
