• Sunday-What'sUP December 8 - 09:51 am

Seven years ago we featured a Shoebox Memory about Marquette-born Alfed Burt. So much has happened in the meantime, from the passing of Alfred's brother John H. Burt in 2009 to the ongoing recordings by choirs and artists around the world. For this revisit, I've assembled the collection above, with each of the 15 Carols Alfred composed, one each year until 1954 when he did three, in order to complete the planned album. This collection above is only a tiny cross-section of singers and styles that are part of the Alfred Burt legacy.

In several ways I feel a personal kinship with Alfred. He lived in Marquette before he lived in Pontiac... I lived in Pontiac before I lived in Marquette. His home was Ann Arbor during his U of M years (same for me). His family moved from the U.P. when he was 2 years old, and I was 2 years old when he passed away. I suppose we can find some connection with every fellow traveller on this planet, but as I listen to Albert's music and read about his life, there's a lot in common. See more of his family's history at alfredburtcarols.com

Our collage on the Pasty Cam page highlights 3 of my favorite Burt Carols above: Some Children See Him (James Taylor), Caroling, Caroling (Nat King Cole), and The Star Carol (Simon and Garfunkel)... Enjoy :o)

This is neat!

This is so interesting, Charlie, thank you!
My favorite has always been "Caroling, caroling" by Nat King Cole.

Very interesting, Charlie. I will always love
Caroling, Caroling. Also love Star Carol and Night
Bethlehem.

My grandmother was born on December 7.

Very nice presentation, Charlie...thanks!

Greetings:

In this area (Chicagoland) any remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day seems to be completely non existent. I mean no offense to honoring Mr. Alfred Burt's achievements but we should not forget Pearl Harbor.

An event like Pearl Harbor could happen again.

JT

I agree, J T! I was only 6yrs old when it happened but I remember it well, and have 'remembered' it each year for Lo these 73 years.

Thank you very much, Charlie, for taking the time to put this together. Many of these carols I have never heard before. Mr. Burt was very talented! And, by the way, JT, did you listen to the third carol, the one from 1944?

What a wonderful compilation of carols ~ thanks Charlie! Listening to the 'Carol in Wartime' reminds me of what the soldiers (and families) were going thru that December with the Battle of the Bulge raging. I too have always enjoyed "Caroling, Caroling".