Joy of Christmas 1980s Radio Special by Le Menu Meals-20 LPs of Christmas Music

$

200

Joy of Christmas: A 30 Hour Radio Special Sponsored by Le Menu Premium Gourmet Frozen Meals - 20 LPs
288 Christmas, Holiday, and New Year's songs by the original artists - over 23 hours of Christmas music!
This is an actual radio program that was broadcast during the late 1980's.  According to the July 28, 1986 issue of Broadcasting magazine, the "30-hour Joy of Christmas Special" was broadcast on 180 stations in 1985 and would be broadcast on 250 stations in 1986.  The program was produced by the Chicago-based Public Interest Affiliates.

The exclusive sponsor for the program was a company named Le Menu which made "premium gourmet frozen dinners".  The commercials are sprinkled thorough the program, and they often suggest which wine should be served with each dinner to reinforce the "gourmet" quality of the meals.

This complete set of 20 records was acquired at the "Annual Mammoth Music Mart" in Skokie Illinois sometime in the 1990's.  The sale was a charity fundraiser, and some of the radio stations in the area donated records to the sale.  Presumably this set was donated by one of the stations, although there are no call letters written on any of the records.

The labels on the records are numbered sequentially from 1001 through 1040.  There are also numbers written in ink on the labels.  Each record has a price sticker that was affixed at the sale.

As a set, the records are graded as VG to VG+ using the Goldmine standard (see below).  However, there is a note written on the label of side 34 that there is a "scratch near end" - this scratch will likely cause skipping.  This is no cover or box, as these records were not sold at retail. 

There are 288 songs in the program, and some songs are duplicated in the rotation, in typical radio fashion.  The tracklist below will indicate how many times the song appears in the program.  Although the radio special was advertised as a 30-hour special, there is about 23 1/2 hours of music here.  Presumably there would have been news reports and other programming (and of course the Le Menu radio ads) to fill out the 30-hour program.
Tracklist (Alphabetically by artist):

Abba - Happy New Year 4:37 x 2
Al Jarreau - Christmas Song 4:12 x 2
Amy Grant - Angels We Have Heard On High 2:30 x 1
Amy Grant - Emmanuel 2:52 x 2
Amy Grant - Hark, The Herald Angels Sing 2:54 x 1
Andy Williams - Christmas Bells 1:45 x 1
Andy Williams - Christmas Holiday 1:50 x 1
Andy Williams - Happy Holidays 2:35 x 1
Andy Williams - It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 2:30 x 1
Andy Williams - Jingle Bells 2:02 x 1
Andy Williams - My Favorite Things 2:25 x 1
Andy Williams - Some Children See Him 3:20 x 1
Anne Murray - Away In A Manger 2:56 x 1
Anne Murray - Go Tell It On The Mountain 2:48 x 1
Anne Murray - Joy To The World 2:07 x 2
Anne Murray - Silent Night 4:07 x 1
Anne Murray - Silver Bells 2:55 x 1
Anne Murray - The Little Drummer Boy 3:50 x 1
Anne Murray - Winter Wonderland 2:55 x 1
B. J. Thomas - God Bless The Children 3:07 x 2
B. J. Thomas - Hark, The Herald Angels Sing 2:57 x 1
B. J. Thomas - Joy To The World 2:13 x 1
B. J. Thomas - The First Noel 3:30 x 1
B. W. Stevenson - A Special Wish 2:50 x 1
Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas? 3:50 x 2
Barbara Mandrell - Christmas At Our House 2:50 x 1
Barbara Mandrell - From Our House To Yours 4:03 x 1
Barbara Mandrell - I’ll Be Home For Christmas 3:10 x 1
Barbara Mandrell - Winter Wonderland 2:39 x 1
Barbara Streisand - Christmas Song 3:55 x 1
Barbara Streisand - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:10 x 1
Barbara Streisand - I Wonder As I Wander 3:14 x 1
Barbara Streisand - Jingle Bells 1:50 x 1
Barbara Streisand - The Best Gift 3:10 x 1
Barbara Streisand - White Christmas 2:59 x 1
Barry Manilow - It’s Just Another New Years Eve 4:20 x 2
Beach Boys - Auld Lang Syne 1:00 x 1
Beach Boys - Child Of Winter 2:48 x 1
Beach Boys - Frosty The Snowman 1:52 x 1
Beach Boys - I’ll Be Home For Christmas 2:41 x 1
Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick 1:58 x 2
Beach Boys - Merry Christmas Baby 2:13 x 1
Beach Boys - Santa Claus Is Comin To Town 2:17 x 1
Bing Crosby - Christmas Is A’Comin 2:35 x 1
Bing Crosby - Do You Hear What I Hear? 2:43 x 1
Bing Crosby - Frosty The Snowman 2:10 x 1
Bing Crosby - I Heard The Bells 2:43 x 1
Bing Crosby - I Wish You A Merry Christmas 1:53 x 1
Bing Crosby - It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas 2:50 x 1
Bing Crosby - Let It Snow 2:03 x 1
Bing Crosby - White Christmas 3:00 x 2
Bing Crosby & David Bowie - Drummer Boy 2:32 x 1
Bing Crosby & David Bowie - Peace On Earth 2:32 x 1
Bobby B. Soxx - The Bells Of St. Mary’s 2:30 x 1
Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock 2:12 x 2
Boney M - Mary’s Little Boy Child 5:22 x 2
Brenda Lee - A Marshmellow World 2:30 x 1
Brenda Lee - Jingle Bell Rock 2:08 x 1
Brenda Lee - Rockin Around The Christmas Tree 2:02 x 2
Brooks Benton - Merry Christmas 2:10 x 1
Brooks Benton - This Time Of The Year 2:23 x 1
Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Comin To Town 4:29 x 2
Burl Ives - Have A Holly Jolly Christmas 2:08 x 1
Carpenters - 1st Snowfall 3:35 x 1
Carpenters - Carol Of The Bells 1:39 x 1
Carpenters - Christmas Song 3:39 x 1
Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling 3:02 x 2
Carpenters - Santa Claus Is Comin To Town 1:05 x 1
Carpenters - Sleigh Ride 2:39 x 1
Chad Mitchell Trio - The Marvelous Toy 2:46 x 1
Charlie Byrd - Angels We Have Heard On High 2:25 x 1
Charlie Byrd - In The Bleak Midwinter 2:05 x 1
Chet Atkins - Winter Wonderland 2:40 x 1
Chip Davis - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 1:37 x 1
Christy Minstrels - Sleigh Ride 3:18 x 1
Dan Folgelberg - Same Auld Lang Syne 5:18 x 2
Darlene Love - A Marshmellow World 2:30 x 1
Dave & Sugar - Winter Wonderland 2:24 x 1
David Gates - Come Home For Christmas 3:03 x 2
David Maimberg - Christmas Dinner 3:10 x 2
David Rose - Christmas Is Coming / Angels We Have Heard On High 1:38 x 1
David Rose - I Saw Three Ships 1:20 x 1
David Rose - Twelve Days Of Christmas 1:24 x 1
David Seville - Chipmunk Song 2:20 x 1
Diana Ross - White Christmas 3:53 x 1
Dolly Parton - White Christmas 3:02 x 1
Eagles - Please Come Home For Christmas 2:37 x 2
Earl Grant - Count Your Blessings 2:20 x 2
Edward Bare - Coming Home Christmas 3:30 x 1
Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer 3:30 x 1
Elton John - Ho Ho Ho 4:04 x 1
Elton John - Step Into Christmas 4:30 x 1
Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas 2:03 x 3
Elvis Presley - O Come All Ye Faithful 2:47 x 1
Elvis Presley - Silver Bells 2:27 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - A Night To Remember 3:20 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - Carol Tyme 6:47 x 2
Engelbert Humperdinck - Christmas Song 4:04 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - Jingle Bell Tyme 4:04 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - Medley 3:27 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - Medley 4:03 x 1
Engelbert Humperdinck - Silent Night 4:40 x 1
Firefall - Christmas In Love 2:42 x 2
Four Seasons - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause 2:08 x 1
Frank Sinatra - Christmas Mem’ries 2:09 x 1
Frank Sinatra - Christmas Waltz 3:00 x 1
Frank Sinatra - First Noel 2:35 x 1
Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:25 x 1
Frank Sinatra - I’ll Be Home For Christmas 3:09 x 1
Frank Sinatra - Mistle Toe And Holly 2:14 x 1
Fred Waring - Here We Come A’ Caroling 1:38 x 1
Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus 2:29 x 2
Gene Autry - Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer 3:10 x 1
George Winston - Holly And The Ivy 4:52 x 1
George Winston - Joy 3:13 x 1
George Winston - Snow 1:51 x 1
George Winston - Thanksgiving 4:04 x 1
George Winston - Variations On Pachelbel 3:28 x 1
Gilbert O’Sullivan - Christmas Song 2:44 x 2
Gladys Knight - Silent Night 2:44 x 1
Gladys Knight & Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born 3:50 x 2
Glen Campbell - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:03 x 1
Glen Campbell - Old Toy Trains 2:15 x 1
Glen Campbell - There’s No Place Like Home 3:15 x 2
Greg Lake - I Believe In Father Christmas 3:31 x 2
Harry Simone Chorale - Little Drummer Boy 3:01 x 1
Harry Simone Chorale - Twas The Night Before Christmas 6:48 x 1
Henry Mancini - Carol For Another Christmas 2:33 x 1
Henry Mancini - Jingle Bells / Sleigh Ride 3:36 x 1
Henry Mancini - Medley 3:31 x 1
Herb Alpert - Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring 3:24 x 1
Herb Alpert - Let It Snow 3:40 x 1
Herb Alpert - My Favorite Things 3:00 x 1
Herb Alpert - Sleigh Ride 3:54 x 1
Herb Alpert - The Bell That Couldn’t Jingle 2:53 x 1
Herb Alpert - Winter Wonderland 3:05 x 1
Hillside Singers - I’d Like To Teach The World 2:16 x 1
Jack Jones - Christmas Waltz 2:07 x 1
Jack Jones - Do You Hear What I Hear? 3:00 x 1
Jack Jones - I’ll Be Home For Christmas 2:54 x 1
Jack Jones - Lullaby For Christmas Eve 2:35 x 1
Jack Jones - Medley 5:15 x 1
Jack Jones - My Favorite Things 2:00 x 1
Jack Jones - Sleigh Ride 2:42 x 1
Jack Jones - White Christmas 2:39 x 1
Jackson 5 - Give Love On Christmas 2:58 x 1
Jackson 5 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 5:10 x 1
Jackson 5 - Santa Claus Is Comin To Town 2:25 x 1
Janet Mead - The Lord’s Prayer 3:00 x 1
Janie Fricke - What Child Is This? 2:18 x 1
Jethro Tull - Pan Dance 3:24 x 2
Jethro Tull - Ring Out Solstice Bells 3:40 x 2
Jim Croce - It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way 2:31 x 2
Jimmy Boyd - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause 2:30 x 2
Jimmy Buffet - Christmas In The Caribbean 3:11 x 1
Joan Baez - Down Yon Forest 1:39 x 1
Joan Baez - Good King Wenceslas 3:32 x 1
Joan Baez - O Come Emmanuel 2:56 x 1
Joan Baez - The Little Drummer Boy 2:45 x 1
John Denver - A Baby Just Like You 2:40 x 1
John Denver - Aspenglow 2:28 x 1
John Denver - Christmas For Cowboys 2:34 x 1
John Denver & The Muppets - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2:47 x 1
John Lennon - Happy Christmas 3:32 x 2
John Lennon - Imagine 3:01 x 1
Johnny Mathis - Calypso Noel 2:07 x 1
Johnny Mathis - Carol Of The Bells 1:22 x 1
Johnny Mathis - What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? 2:50 x 1
Johnny Mathis - What Child Is This? 4:00 x 1
Jose Feliciano - Drummer Boy 3:58 x 1
Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad 3:00 x 2
Kenny Loggins - Celebrate Me Home 3:51 x 2
Kenny Rogers - A Christmas To Remember 4:00 x 1
Kenny Rogers - Carol Of The Bells 2:42 x 2
Kenny Rogers - Christmas Everyday 3:42 x 1
Kenny Rogers - Christmas Is My Favorite Time 2:43 x 1
Kenny Rogers - Kids 2:41 x 1
Kenny Rogers - My Favorite Things 3:00 x 1
Kenny Rogers - When A Child Is Born 3:49 x 1
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - The Greatest Gift Of All 3:42 x 1
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - Winter Wonderland / Sleigh Ride 3:37 x 1
King Singers - Deck The Halls 1:36 x 1
King Singers - Do You Hear What I Hear? 3:25 x 1
King Singers - In Dulce Jubilo 2:09 x 1
King Singers - Jingle Bells 1:37 x 1
King Singers - Somerset Wassail 1:40 x 1
King Singers - We Wish You A Merry Christmas 1:37 x 1
Kingston Trio - A Round’ About Christmas 1:30 x 1
Kingston Trio - Bye Bye Thou Little Child 2:55 x 1
Kingston Trio - Goodnight My Baby 1:53 x 1
Kingston Trio - Sing We Noel 2:00 x 2
Lee Greenwood - Christmas To Christmas 3:17 x 1
Lee Greenwood - Let It Snow 3:22 x 1
Lee Greenwood - Tennessee Christmas 4:13 x 1
Lee Greenwood - The Greatest Gift Of All 3:29 x 1
Leona Boyd - Christmas Overture 4:08 x 2
Leona Boyd - Spanish Carol 2:35 x 1
Leona Boyd - What Child Is This? 2:55 x 1
Leroy Anderson - Sleigh Ride 2:30 x 1
Lettermen - Christmas Waltz 2:08 x 1
Lettermen - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2:45 x 1
Lettermen - Mary’s Little Boy Child 2:45 x 1
Lettermen - O Holy Night 2:35 x 1
Lettermen - What Child Is This? 2:10 x 1
Lettermen - White Christmas 2:30 x 1
Liona Boyd - What Child Is This? 2:55 x 1
Liona Boyd - Yultide Garland 2:24 x 1
Lou Rawls - A Child With A Toy 3:21 x 1
Lou Rawls - Drummer Boy 2:52 x 1
Lou Rawls - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:40 x 2
Mannheim Steamroller - Deck The Halls 3:29 x 2
Mannheim Steamroller - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 4:19 x 2
Mannheim Steamroller - Good King Wenceslas 3:29 x 1
Mannheim Steamroller - I Saw Three Ships 1:28 x 1
Mannheim Steamroller - Rise, Judge Of The World 1:26 x 1
Mannheim Steamroller - Silent Night 5:26 x 1
Mark Gray - O Little Town Of Bethlehem 2:38 x 1
Michael Jackson - Christmas Song 2:45 x 1
Michael Jackson - Little Christmas Tree 3:33 x 1
Nat King Cole - Away In A Manger 1:58 x 1
Nat King Cole - Caroling, Caroling 2:02 x 1
Nat King Cole - I Saw Three Ships 1:25 x 1
Nat King Cole - O Holy Night 2:55 x 1
Nat King Cole - O Tannenbaum 3:00 x 1
Nat King Cole - Silent Night 2:07 x 1
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song 3:08 x 1
Neil Diamond - You Make It Feel Like Christmas 3:58 x 2
Nicolette Larsen - One Bright Star 3:14 x 2
O’Jays - Christmas At Christmas 2:17 x 2
Oakridge Boys - Thank God For Kids 2:29 x 2
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas Time 3:48 x 2
Peggy Lee - I Like A Sleigh Ride 2:02 x 1
Percy Faith - Christmas Is 3:00 x 1
Percy Faith - We Need A Little Christmas 2:08 x 1
Perry Como - Carol Medley 4:46 x 1
Perry Como - Do You Hear What I Hear? 3:14 x 1
Perry Como - Silver Bells 2:25 x 1
Perry Como - There Is No Christmas Like A Home 2:50 x 1
Peter, Paul & Mary - A’ Soalin 3:00 x 2
Peter, Paul & Mary - Long Chain 4:35 x 1
Peter, Paul & Mary - The Marvelous Toy 3:08 x 1
Philadelphia Brass Ensemble - O Tannenbaum 1:16 x 1
Philadelphia Brass Ensemble - Twelve Days Of Christmas 3:46 x 1
Ray Charles - All I Want For Christmas 4:23 x 1
Ray Charles - Christmas Time 4:36 x 1
Ray Charles - Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer 4:02 x 1
Ray Charles - Santa Claus Is Comin To Town 3:28 x 1
Ray Charles - This Time Of The Year 3:13 x 1
Ray Charles - What Child Is This? 4:02 x 1
Ray Charles - Winter Wonderland 3:30 x 1
Ray Conniff - Here We Come A’ Caroling 2:26 x 1
Ray Parker Jr. - Christmastime Is Here 2:59 x 2
Roberta Flack - 25th Of Last December 3:30 x 2
Roger Whitaker - Mighty Like A Rose 3:14 x 2
Salsoul Orchestra - Merry Christmas All 3:10 x 1
Salsoul Orchestra - We Wish You A Merry Christmas 2:30 x 1
Shane Keister - Praise The King 1:37 x 1
Sheena Easton - It’s Christmas All Over The World 4:59 x 2
Singers Unlimited - Bright Bright, The Holly Berries 1:19 x 1
Singers Unlimited - Caroling, Caroling 1:14 x 1
Singers Unlimited - Deck The Halls 2:45 x 1
Singers Unlimited - Good King Wenceslas 1:58 x 2
Singers Unlimited - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2:19 x 1
Singers Unlimited - Joy To The World 1:21 x 1
Singers Unlimited - O Come All Ye Faithful 2:14 x 1
Singers Unlimited - The Wassail Song 1:14 x 1
Singers Unlimited - While By My Sheep 1:29 x 1
Smokey Robinson - Deck The Halls 3:55 x 1
Smokey Robinson - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 2:59 x 1
Smokey Robinson - It’s Christmastime 3:20 x 1
Spike Jones - All I Want For Christmas 3:07 x 1
Stevie Wonder - Ava Maria 3:54 x 1
Stevie Wonder - Christmas Song 3:26 x 1
Stevie Wonder - Christmastime 2:31 x 1
Stevie Wonder - Little Drummer Boy 3:03 x 1
Stevie Wonder - Someday At Christmas 2:48 x 1
Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means To Me 2:26 x 1
The Four Seasons - White Christmas 2:17 x 1
The Roches - Hallelujah Chorus 3:30 x 1
Ventures - Frosty The Snowman 2:00 x 1
Ventures - Jingle Bell Rock 1:55 x 1
Ventures - Silver Bells 2:30 x 1
Ventures - Sleigh Ride 2:20 x 1
Ventures - Snowflakes 2:17 x 1
Willie Nelson - Here Comes Santa Claus 1:52 x 1
Willie Nelson - Jingle Bells 2:08 x 1
Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper 2:22 x 1
Willie Nelson - Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer 2:10 x 1

Goldmine Grading Standard:

MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A good description of a NM record is "it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time." In other words, it's nearly perfect. Many dealers won't use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any "spindle marks" from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (NM records don't 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.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or EXCELLENT (E)
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 (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. 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 very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

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.

Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records 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.

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 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 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 won't be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

Good (G),
Good Plus (G+)
or Very Good Minus (VG-)
Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG- 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.

POOR (P)
and Fair (F)
Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash. Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.