Howard Viken - In a Holiday Mood (1971) Vinyl LP • Christmas, Edith Norberg

Catalog Number: S80-178-1781S

Record Grading: Near Mint (NM or M-), Sleeve Grading: Excellent (EX)

Condition Details:

Vinyl plays nicely; a few light hairlines (play-graded). Cover has light-scuffing, (front/back). Inner-sleeve is generic white. Spine has no text and mild-wear. Minor shelf-wear along top/bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of light use and divots. (Not a cut-out.)

Tracks:

• Howard Viken Introduction
• Silent Night
• Solitary Life (Narration)
• Drummer Boy
• Gingerbread House
• Christmas Cookies
• Silver Bells
• Let There Be Peace On Earth
• Ruben-Walzer (Instrumental)
• Siquieres (Instrumental)
• Christmas Feeling
• Madonna's Lullaby
• The Juggler (Narration)

About The Record:

In a Holiday Mood, by Howard Viken, a beloved Minnesota radio personality, is a festive album recorded in 1972, featuring a blend of traditional and unique holiday tracks that evoke nostalgia for listeners, particularly those from 1960s Minnesota. The album, released under Sound 80 Records, showcases Viken's warm vocals and narrations, complemented by the enchanting performances of Edith Norberg's Carillon Choristers, a children's choir that adds a distinctive charm. Tracks like Silent Night, Let There Be Peace On Earth, and Christmas Feeling highlight Viken's vocal contributions, while narrations such as Solitary Life and Gingerbread House offer heartfelt storytelling. Despite its regional release and limited commercial reach, the album holds historical significance as a cultural artifact of Minnesota's broadcasting history, reflecting Viken's influential 39-year career at WCCO Radio. No singles from the album are noted as chart-topping hits, but its unique carols and local appeal make it a cherished collector's item among Christmas music enthusiasts.