Henry Mancini — the famed American composer, conductor and arranger — was in the midst of his run of hit RCA LPs when this string-soaked holiday gem came out in 1966. A holiday favorite, it's been remastered for today's listening enjoyment. It will have you wanting to put up the tree and start the decorating, then settle down by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, to relax while visions of sugar plums dance through your head. If you're a Baby Boomer, you'll probably recall hearing this album as you were growing up. And for young listeners, this music is nostalgia at its best.

This CD features 11 Christmas medleys and carols. It is a warm, appealing record that blends easily into the background, making it a good choice for holiday gatherings of all sorts. Mancini's signature sound was the smooth blend of vocal and instrumental harmonies.

Mancini is probably best remembered for his jazz-idiom theme to “The Pink Panther” movie series, plus scores that include “Moon River,” “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” “Days Of Wine And Roses,” and the score to “Victor Victoria.” Dozens of artists recorded Henry’s songs, including Paul Anka, Jack Jones, Connie Frnacis, Eydie Gorme, Trini Lopez, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Vale, the Lennon Sisters, The Lettermen, Herb Alpert, Liberace, the Boston Pops and many more.

Those of you who remember the Ray Conniff Singers will know what we mean when we say that “A Merry Mancini Christmas” seems to have drawn at least some of its inspiration from the Conniff approach.

“The Little Drummer Boy” — the opening track — has a really beautiful and lush string instrumental part of it where Mancini really hits his ‘A’ game. and “Jingle Bells” has what many might call a classic Big Band/jazz feel to it. There are also some fabulous Christmas-styled brass sounds in these songs, especially “Frosty The Snowman” and “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

As for the chorus, they shine here too, though they sound like an eight member group (i.e., smaller). Yet some of the album is very much the large orchestra for which Mancini is famous. Songs like “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Silver Bells” use the large orchestra to the max.

This sort of choral singing, combined with big orchestral arrangements, just isn't done anymore — probably due to the expense involved. So the only way to get your “fix” of the Mancini sort of holiday music is to buy “A Merry Mancini Christmas,” which has been digitally remastered for greater clarity than was on the original vinyl album.

To sample some of the tracks, click the speaker icon below to hear them. Then scroll down the page to order today!