Are you a fan of the close three-part harmonies most typically associated with performers like the Andrews Sisters and the Boswell Sisters? Well, you’re in for a treat.
Take a look at this Wikipedia entry on “voicing” to read about open and closed harmony, as well as a discussion of the difference here. Suffice to say, closed harmony can sound very tight and intense. You’ll find it with barbershop quartets, the Beach Boys or The Blind Boys of Alabama.
The Andrews Sisters – Patty, LaVerne and Maxene – first came to national attention in the late Thirties, especially with their hit “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön,” a Yiddish song which had English lyrics by Sammy Cahn. During World War II, they traveled extensively, entertaining the troops in America and overseas. To me, in their prime, they sound hip as hell, specializing in jump blues, swing and boogie-woogie.
The Andrews Sisters recorded with different bands or with other singers, but their most fruitful collaborations were with Bing Crosby. From 1939-52, Crosby and the trio recorded 46 tunes, 23 of which were hits. They recorded “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” in September 1943, backed by Victor Schoen and his Orchestra. (That song was popular already, having debuted in 1934.)
Jumping ahead to the present age, Marcella Puppini, Stephanie O’Brien and Kate Mullins sing as the Puppini Sisters, sort of as a tribute to the Andrews. The Puppini Sisters sing standards, but also cover songs by Blondie, Kate Bush and The Smiths. Here, they cover Elton John’s 1973 holiday single “Step into Christmas.” That was probably the first Christmas record my brother and I collected, but I never liked it. (Odd, since it’s from the era of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album.) However, the Puppini Sisters’ version sounds quite good. They give it more of a rockabilly feel to it, which helps.
Bing Crosby with The Andrews Sisters – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town — BUY
The Puppini Sisters – Step Into Christmas — BUY