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Vinyl Counterattack Records / West Virginia, United States of America

Featuring The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Sokey Robinson & The Miracles, Diana Ross & The Supremes and more…with some of the greatest Pop Soul Christmas Classics of the 1960s & 1970s

Various Artists - A Motown Christmas

 

Label:  Motown ‎– 5256ML2

Format:  2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue

Country:  US

Released: 1973 Original; Reissue after 1973

Genre:  Funk / Soul, Pop

Style:  Rhythm & Blues, Soul

 

Tracklist & Credits

A1

–The Jackson 5

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Arranged By – James Carmichael *Producer – Hal Davis Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots

2:25

A2

–Stevie Wonder

What Christmas Means To Me

Arranged By – Willie Shorter Producer – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol Written-By – Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, George Gordy

2:25

A3

–The Temptations

Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer

Producer – Norman Whitfield Written-By – Johnny Marks

2:55

A4

–Diana Ross & The Supremes

My Favorite Things

Producer – Hal Davis, Marc Gordon*, Harvey Fuqua Written-By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers*

2:49

A5

–Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Deck The Halls/ Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella

Arranged By, Adapted By, Producer – Jimmy Roach

3:55

A6

–The Jackson 5

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Arranged By – Gene Page Producer – Hal Davis Written-By – Tommie Connor

2:59

B1

–Stevie Wonder

Ave Maria

Producer – Henry Cosby Written-By – Franz Schubert

3:53

B2

–The Temptations

Silent Night

Arranged By – David Van DePitte, Wade Marcus Producer – Barrett Strong, Clay McMurray

2:22

B3

–Michael Jackson

Little Christmas Tree

Producer – Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson Written-By – Art Wayne*, George Clinton

3:33

B4

–Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Producer – Harry Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore

2:59

B5

–The Jackson 5

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)

Producer – The Corporation (2) Written-By – Mel Tormé, Robert Wells (2)

2:45

B6

–Diana Ross & The Supremes

Joy To The World

Arranged By, Adapted By, Producer – Hal Davis, Marc Gordon*, Harvey Fuqua

2:08

C1

–The Temptations

The Little Drummer Boy

Arranged By – David Van DePitte, Wade Marcus Producer – Barrett Strong, Clay McMurray Written-By – Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis

3:15

C2

–Diana Ross & The Supremes

Silver Bells

Producer – Hal Davis, Marc Gordon*, Harvey Fuqua Written-By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans*

2:58

C3

–Stevie Wonder

Someday At Christmas

Producer – Henry Cosby Written-By – Bryan Wells, Ron Miller*

2:48

C4

–The Jackson 5

Frosty The Snowman

Arranged By – Gene Page Producer – Hal Davis Written-By – Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson (4)

2:30

C5

–Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Jingle Bells

Arranged By – David Van DePitte, Wade Marcus Producer – Bobby Taylor

2:48

C6

–The Temptations

My Christmas Tree

Arranged By – David Van DePitte, Wade Marcus Producer – Barrett Strong, Clay McMurray Written-By – Jimmy Webb

3:05

D1

–Diana Ross & The Supremes

White Christmas

Producer – Hal Davis, Marc Gordon*, Harvey Fuqua Written-By – Irving Berlin

3:53

D2

–Stevie Wonder

One Little Christmas Tree

Producer – Henry Cosby Written-By – Bryan Wells, Ron Miller*

2:45

D3

–The Jackson 5

Give Love On Christmas Day

Producer – The Corporation (2) Written-By – Christine Yarian, The Corporation (2)

2:58

D4

–Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

It's Christmas Time

Arranged By – David Van DePitte, Wade Marcus Written-By, Producer – Stevie Wonder

3:20

D5

–Diana Ross & The Supremes

Children's Christmas Song

Producer – Hal Davis, Marc Gordon *Written-By – Isabelle Freeman Written-By, Producer – Harvey Fuqua

2:49

D6

–The Jackson 5

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Producer – The Corporation (2) Written-By – Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane

5:10

Companies, etc.

·       Distributed By – MCA Distributing, Inc.

·       Licensed From – MCA Records

Notes

 

Back cover states: "Originally released 09/25/73".
LP's housed in white inner sleeve (Motown-blue print) with Motown catalog advertisements on one side, and a “Motown Pop Quiz” on the other.
Non-Gatefold Cover

Barcode and Other Identifiers

·       Label Code (Side A Label, printed): 52656ML2A

·       Label Code (Side B Label, printed): 52656ML2B

·       Label Code (Side C Label, printed): 52656ML2C

·       Label Code (Side D Label, printed): 52656ML2D

·       Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched):  5256 ML2-A-15A ZPXJm

·       Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched ):  5256 ML2-B-15A ZPXJm

·       Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched ):  5256 ML2-B-15B ZPXJm

·       Matrix / Runout (Side A, etched ):  5256 ML2-D-15A ZPXJm

MEDIA CONDITION:  Near Mint (NM or NM-) = A

COVER CONDITION:  Excellent (EX) = A-

ULTRASONIC CLEANING CARE

Vinyl media (record album) is in beautiful condition; it’s clean, shines, looks and sounds like it’s rarely been played…Cover/jacket is likewise is beautiful condition (it looks almost as good as new, with only minimal signs of storage wear…Includes original inner sleeve (Motown-blue print) with Motown catalog advertisements on one side, and a “Motown Pop Quiz” on the other (very nostalgic)…This beautiful, vintage LP is undoubtedly one of the greatest Christmas Pop Soul records of all time, by many of the most outstanding Pop Soul artists and groups of the 1960s & 1970s…Reissued on high quality, authentic Motown Records vinyl sometime after 1973, this beautiful set of Christmas classics has been well preserved by an avid record collector for more than 40 years…Vintage vinyl records make great Christmas gifts, too

ebay Seller: vinylcounterattackrecords

Vinyl Counterattack Records / West Virginia, United States of America

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Vinyl Counterattack Records Grading Scale

Based, in part, on the Goldmine® Grading Guide…and equated to a traditional USA public school grading scale for more clarity (A, B, C, D, F)

MINT (M) = A+

These are perfect in every way.  Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint is never used as a grade unless the record or sleeve truly is in this condition.  We generally never use this grade unless the record is still sealed and unopened, unless the record set is Mint and recently unsealed.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-) = A

A good description of a NM record is “it looks almost like it just came from a retail store and it was only recently opened.”  In other words, it is nearly perfect.  Many dealers will not use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever perfect.

NM records are shiny and clean, with no visible defects.  Writing, stickers or other markings do not appear on the label, nor do significant “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable.  Major factory defects are absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint.  If played, it will do so with little to no surface noise.  NM records do not have to be “never played”; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.  NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

NOTE:  These are high standards, and they are not on a sliding scale.  A record or sleeve from the 1950s must meet the same standards as one from the 1990s or 2000s to be Near Mint!  It has been estimated that no more than 2 to 4 percent of all records remaining from the 1950s and 1960s are truly Near Mint.

EXCELLENT (EX) = A-

EX records are also generally shiny and clean, with almost no visible defects.  Writing, stickers or other markings do not appear on the label, nor do significant “spindle marks” (only minor marks might be noticeable) from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable.  Major factory defects also must be absent.  If played, it will do so with only minor surface noise…perhaps not Near Mint, but still providing for an excellent listening experience.  EX records have likely been rarely played and have obviously been properly cared for.  EX covers may only have generally insignificant creases, minimum ring wear, and no seam splits of any kind.  Many casual record collectors consider an EX record to be highly satisfactory, even though the record set is no longer brand new.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) = B+ or B or B-

A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end of the grade.  Some VG+ records are almost as good as EX.

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or noticeably light scratches that do not affect the listening experience very much. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK, and many of these go unnoticed by casual collectors.  Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole.  There may be some noticeably light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable or (at least) not detracting from the general appearance.

VG+ covers should have only minor wear.  A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location.  Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking.  Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint, even if the record is a sealed, unopened discounted “cut-out.”

VERY GOOD (VG) = C+ or C or C-

Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are much more obvious on a VG record.  That said, VG records, which usually sell at a significantly reduced price as compared to NM or EX or VG+ value, are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies.  For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money, especially if they are purchasing the record because they simply enjoy the music.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records.  Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail.  When played, a VG record has noticeable surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the louder music otherwise.

Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label.  Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice.  They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs of human handling.  Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming.  Some more creases might be visible.  Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it will not be obvious upon looking.  Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

GOOD (G) = D

Good does not necessarily mean bad, but at Vinyl Counterattack Records we also consider the Good title somewhat misleading; it should be more like a public school grade of D.  The record still plays through with little to no skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along.  But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label may be worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing.  A Good cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight, and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.  If you have been seeking the title it for a long time, it is an opportunity to get it cheap and look to upgrade.

FAIR (F) and POOR (P) = F

Fair (F) and Poor (P) records have minimal value.  These records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat often when an attempt is made to play them.  Covers may also be so heavily damaged that you consider replacing or discarding them.  Only the most outrageously rare items would be attractive to anyone in this condition.  At Vinyl Counterattack Records we refrain from selling any record sets of this grade unless they are extremely factory defective, but look otherwise almost new, and possibly a rare/fluke collector’s item.  The rest of the F or P rated records go in the trash and we will not attempt to sell them.