Christmas For Kids

– Featuring John Denver & The Muppets

Louise Gold appeared as a Muppet Performer background vocalist, produced in 2002. (The Muppets tracks were recorded in 1979)

Catalogue number: (CD) Delta/Laserlight 3 CD Set 55 785

Note the album itself is very uninformative about who is performing on it. The information below is mostly gleaned from referring back to the original album of John Denver And The Muppets A Christmas Together.

Cast

Cast (Muppet)

Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and, Animal - Frank Oz

Robin, Floyd, and, Lew Zealand - Jerry Nelson

Scooter, Janice, Staler, and, Beaker - Richard Hunt

The Great Gonzo, Zoot, Beauregard, and, Dr Bunsen Honeydew - Dave Goelz

Kermit The Frog, Waldorf, and, Dr Teeth - Jim Henson

Also featuring The Muppet Performers - Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, and, Steve Whitmire

Solo’s In The Twelve Days Of Christmas

1. John Denver - John Denver

2. Fozzie Bear - Frank Oz

3. Gonzo - Dave Goelz

4. Robin - Jerry Nelson

5. Miss Piggy - Frank Oz

6. Scooter - Richard Hunt

7. Lew Zealand - Jerry Nelson

8. Rowlf - Jim Henson

9. Bunsen and Beaker - Dave Goelz and Richard Hunt

10. Stadler and Waldof - Richard Hunt and Jim Henson

11. Beauregaurd - Dave Goelz

12. Kermit The Frog - Jim Henson

Musicians (on Muppet Disc only)

 Vocals, 6 & 12-string guitars - John Denver

Drums, and, Percussion - Hal Blaine

Electric & Acoustic Guitars, and, Dobro - James Burton

Bass - Emory Gordy Jr

Keyboards - Glen D Hardin

Reeds - Jim Horn

Banjo, Electric & Acoustic Guitars - Herb Pederson

Acoustic Guitar - Denny Brooks

Mandolin, and, Harmonica - Danny Wheetman

Musicians (on the other two discs)

 ?

Production Team

 Designed by – Mike Kanjanakaset

Produced by – Delta Entertainment Corporation

Track Listing

John Denver The Muppets A Christmas Together: Laserlight CD: 12 761:

1. Twelve Days Of Christmas – John Denver, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Jim Henson, possibly with Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, and, Louise Gold

2. The Peace Carol – John Denver, and, Richard Hunt, with Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen

3. Christmas Is Coming – Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, and, Jerry Nelson

4. A Baby Just Like You – John Denver

5. Deck The Halls – John Denver, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen

6. Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 – John Denver

7. The Christmas Wish – Jim Henson

8. Medley: Alfie The Christmas Tree/ Carol For A Christmas Tree/ It’s In Every One Of Us – John Denver with: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen.

9. Silent Night, Holy Night – John Denver, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen

10. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – John Denver, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen

Baby’s First Christmas – Music For Lullabies: Laserlight CD: 21 233

1. Jingle Bells – uncredited instrumental

2. O Come All Ye Faithful – uncredited instrumental

3. Come Little Children – uncredited instrumental

4. White Christmas – uncredited instrumental

5. Silent Night – uncredited instrumental

6. O Tannenbaum – uncredited instrumental

7. Good King Wenceslas – uncredited instrumental

8. Hark The Herald Angels Sing – uncredited instrumental

9. Ave Maria – uncredited instrumental

10. O Sanctissima – uncredited instrumental

11. Jesus, Lover Of My Soul – uncredited instrumental

12. Am Weihnachtsbaum – uncredited instrumental

13. Nearer My God To Thee – uncredited instrumental

14. Saviour, Blessed Saviour – uncredited instrumental

15. Te Deum Laudmus – uncredited instrumental

16. The Holy City – uncredited instrumental

17. The Chimes Of Trinity – uncredited instrumental

18. Monastery Bells – uncredited instrumental

19. Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (Alternative Arrangement) – uncredited instrumental

20. Onward Christian Soldiers – uncredited instrumental

21. Auld Lang Syne – uncredited instrumental

Toyland – Baby’s First Christmas: Laserlight CD: 21 360

1. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – uncredited instrumental

2. Deck The Halls – uncredited instrumental

3. Toyland – uncredited instrumental

4. Joy To The World – uncredited instrumental

5. Frosty The Snowman – uncredited instrumental

6. Here We Come A Caroling – uncredited instrumental

7. The First Noel – uncredited instrumental

8. Away In A Manger – uncredited instrumental

9. The Holly And The Ivy – uncredited instrumental

10. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – uncredited instrumental

11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem – uncredited instrumental

12. O Holy Night – uncredited instrumental

13. Twelve Days Of Christmas – uncredited instrumental

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – uncredited instrumental

15. We Three Kings – uncredited instrumental

16. We Wish You A Merry Christmas (Reprise) – uncredited instrumental

John Denver And The Muppets (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen), along with Hal Blaine, James Burton, Emory Gordy Jr, Glen D Hardin, Jim Horn, Herb Pederson, Denny Brooks, and, Danny Wheetman had appeared together on the album John Denver And The Muppets A Christmas Together, from which their tracks on this album come. Three tracks from that album, two of which turn up here, were also released as a single John Denver & The Muppets Merry Christmas 45RPM. The same tracks that appear on this album can also be found on John Denver Christmas.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen were the eight main puppeteers on The Muppet Show, on which John Denver had been a Guest Star.

The Muppet Show Eight (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen) also puppeteered on The Great Muppet Caper, and, The Muppets Got To The Movies. They featured on the documentary Of Muppets And Men. Their recording credits include: The Muppet Show Music Album, The Great Muppet Caper (Soundtrack album), Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets, Put Some Zing In Your Spring, Muppet Music Sampler, Muppet Hits 1, Muppet Hits 2, Muppet Music Mix, and, Music Mayhem & More.

The Big Five (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz), plus, Louise Gold puppeteered on The Royal Variety Performance (1977). Their recording credits include: The Muppet Show Music Hall, The Muppet Show 2, For What It’s Worth, and, Jim Henson Presents Silly Songs.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen puppeteered on The Dark Crystal, for which Jerry Nelson did some voice work.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen went on to puppeteer on Labyrinth.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen went on to puppeteer at Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold puppeteered together on The Muppet Christmas Carol, and, Muppet Treasure Island. Their recording credits include The Muppet Christmas Carol (Soundtrack album). They also went on to take part in the documentary I Love The Muppets.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen puppeteered together on Sesame Street (in the early 1990s).

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Born To Add.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown.

Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold puppeteered on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz made an appearance as a guest puppeteer.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen had appeared in The All Time Get Around Sometimes Play Together Every Other Friday Night Vaudeville Show.

Jerry Nelson, and, Dave Goelz did voice-work for the British outerspace segments on the international Fraggle Rock, on which Louise Gold puppeteered.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Jerome Kern The First 100 Years.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold puppeteered on The Secret Life Of Toys.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include A Green And Red Christmas.

Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold, puppeteered on Tale Of The Bunny Picnic.

Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold puppeteered on The Ghost Of Faffner Hall.

Jim Henson appeared on the documentary Inside The Labyrinth.

Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include The Count’s Countdown, however there has been some debate as to whether Louise Gold actually sang on it.

Steve Whitmire probably puppeteered on ITV’s 50 Greatest Shows.

Review

by Emma Shane, 12 May 2007

What can I say about this three CD set? Well perhaps the beginning of May was not the most appropriate time of year to be listening to Christmas carols. If you like symphonic variations of traditional, mostly religious Christmas carols, then the second two discs on this album might be your cup of tea. If, like me, that is not your thing, then avoid it. Mixed in with the traditional carols are symphonic instrumentals of a few newer items from films and such like, for example as Frosty The Snowman which was quite jolly. But I could have done without a most peculiar arrangement of White Christmas (And I always thought that Irving Berlin could withstand a fair amount of messing about with). Still at least they are all mercifully short, and did not include any singing (I actually ended up being glad the numbers were instrumental only). In fact listening to them I found myself rather empathising with humbug counterpoint character in Jason Carr’s ‘Christmas Is New Once More’. I only wish someone would put music of that quality on a Christmas album!

Of course the major marketing point with this album is the first disc, featuring John Denver And The Muppets. All these tracks were taken from the 1979 album. However, I was disappointed to note that three of the better tracks on that album were not included, I rather missed them. Nevertheless The Muppet performers do a jolly good job with: The Twelve Days Of Christmas, Christmas Is Coming, Deck The Halls, The Christmas Wish, It’s In Every One Of Us, Silent Night, and, We Wish You A Merry Christmas. If you are buying this album as a Muppet fan, then you really would be much better off getting the CD of John Denver And The Muppets A Christmas Together itself (making sure it is a version with the 3 “lost” tracks), rather than wasting money on this 3 CD set; unless of courser you are a completist, in which case I guess you’ll buy it anyway, whether it is actually worth it or not.

Critics Comments

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Links about Christmas For Kids Featuring John Denver & The Muppets

 Delta Entertainment’s website: http://www.deltaentertainment.com/

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