Today’s classic Christmas song of the day is “Winter Wonderland.” It was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard “Dick” Smith. The original lyrics were about a winter love affair; in 1947, new lyrics were written that made it more about children playing in the snow. Later versions tended to combine the two versions, so that you hear about both Parson Brown (for marrying) and circus clowns (for the kiddos).
The song was originally recorded, in 1934, by bandleader Richard Himber and his orchestra. The first hit version, however, was by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, also in 1934; that version was one of he biggest hits of that year.
Over the years dozens if not hundreds of artists have recorded “Winter Wonderland,” including Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett (both solo and as a duet with Lady Gaga), Elvis Presley, Ringo Starr, Chloe, and Laufey. Perhaps the best-known version, however, and definitely my favorite, is the one recorded by the legendary Darlene Love on Phil Spector’s equally legendary A Christmas Gift for You album. Released in 1963, this collection of classic Christmas tunes (and one new one) employed the cream of L.A.’s session musicians, known as the Wrecking Crew, including Steve Douglas (sax), Glen Campbell (guitar), Barney Kessell (guitar), Bill Pitman (guitar), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Al DeLory (piano), Don Randi (piano), Ray Pohlman (bass), and my hero, Hal Blaine (drums). They accompanied Spector’s regular stable of Philles Records artists: the Ronettes, the Crystals, Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and, of course. Ms. Love.
What’s so great about A Christmas Gift for You is that all the musicians on the recording were the best in the business at the very top of their game. Yeah, they’d collectively and individually go on to record hundreds of other hits, but in the fall of ’63, when this album was recorded, they were flexing their well-earned musical muscles, big time. Over the past few years they’d taken over the studio scene from the old guard, and were defining the sound of rock and roll for generations to come. These guys were giants and this record, more than any other, showcased their considerable talents.
Just listen to the drums. Hal Blaine could and did play virtually anything and everything, but on these tracks his driving beat propels the other musicians in a way that’s awe inspiring. I especially like listening to Hal on the out choruses, where Spector lets him really let loose. Hal once described it to me as if he were a race horse that Spector was holding in the reins, finally letting them go when the track was powering into overdrive. (And no track was allowed to fade out until Hal had done his trademark quarter note triplets, either; that’s when the engineer knew it was okay to slide down the faders.)
For this version of “Winter Wonderland,” producer Phil Spector, arranger Jack Nitzsche, and engineer Larry Levine put together a very Wall of Sound version of “Winter Wonderland” for Darlene Love to sing. There are lots of strings and chimes and sleigh bells, along with drummer Hal Blaine’s driving beat. And here’s how you know this version was so good—virtually every recording of “Winter Wonderland” in the 60+ years since sounds almost exactly like this one. Future producers and performers built their versions of this song around Spector’s recording. This “Winter Wonderland” is, indeed, the ultimate one.
