Muppet Wiki

Kermiteye.png Welcome to Muppet Wiki!


Please visit Special:Community to learn how you can collaborate with the editing community.

READ MORE

Muppet Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Muppet Wiki
Muppet Wiki
44,519
pages
in: Quality articles, Sesame Street Albums, Discographies

Changes: Sesame Street discography

Back to page
Sign in to edit
No edit summary
Tag: sourceedit
(38 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Image:Sesame-discography.png|right|300px]]
  
[[Image:Sesame-discography.png|right|300px]]
   
−
From its earliest planning stages, ''[[Sesame Street]]'' was designed to be a show that would use music and singing as a part of the material being taught. So it was only natural to release the musical content on records, not only to reinforce the curriculum lessons for children when they weren't watching the show, but also because ''Sesame Street'' music is enjoyable just for its own sake.
 +
From its earliest planning stages, ''[[Sesame Street]]'' was designed to be a show that would use music and singing as a part of the material being taught. So it was only natural to release the musical content on records, not only to reinforce the curriculum lessons for children when they weren't watching the show, but also so that ''Sesame Street'' music could be enjoyed just for its own sake.
  +
__TOC__
−  
  +
{{br}}
 
==The Early Albums==
  
==The Early Albums==
−
The first six albums were released by [[Columbia Records]] and [[Warner Bros. Records]], both well-established major labels. These were deluxe albums, issued in colorful gatefold covers, usually with bonus material such as posters, lyric booklets, and photos and drawings of the show's characters. This arrangement lasted for the first five years of the show.
 +
The first six albums were released by [[Columbia Records]] and [[Warner Bros. Records]], both well-established major labels. These were deluxe albums, issued in colorful gatefold covers, usually with bonus material such as posters, lyric booklets, and photos and drawings of the show's characters. This arrangement lasted for the first five years of the show.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:SSBook&Record.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Sesame Street Book & Record]]''|1970<br>Columbia Records}}|link=The Sesame Street Book & Record
  
Image:SSBook&Record.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Sesame Street Book & Record]]''|1970<br>Columbia Records}}|link=The Sesame Street Book & Record
   
Line 19: Line 20:
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
==Other 1970's Albums==
 +
==Other 1970s Albums==
−
During the summer of 1970, as ''[[The Sesame Street Book & Record]]'' became a best seller, [[Bob McGrath]] and [[Loretta Long]] also released their own children's albums. While not part of the Sesame Street canon (even though they both mention ''Sesame Street'' on their covers), they also became well-known albums because of the show's huge popularity.
+
During the summer of 1970, as ''[[The Sesame Street Book & Record]]'' became a best seller, [[Bob McGrath]] and [[Loretta Long]] also released their own children's albums. While not part of the Sesame Street canon (even though they both mention ''Sesame Street'' on their covers), they also became well-known albums because of the show's huge popularity.
   
 
In 1975, K-Tel Records, known for their mail-order records of hits by various artists, became the first outside label to release an LP of songs from ''Sesame Street'', drawn from previous albums.
 
In 1975, K-Tel Records, known for their mail-order records of hits by various artists, became the first outside label to release an LP of songs from ''Sesame Street'', drawn from previous albums.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:Bobmcgrathfromss.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bob McGrath from Sesame Street]]''|1970<br>Affinity Records}}|link=Bob McGrath from Sesame Street
  
Image:Bobmcgrathfromss.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bob McGrath from Sesame Street]]''|1970<br>Affinity Records}}|link=Bob McGrath from Sesame Street
   
Line 32: Line 33:
   
 
==Sesame Street Records==
  
==Sesame Street Records==
−
In 1974, ''Sesame Street'' created its own series of records, on an independent label that was called [[Sesame Street Records (label)|Sesame Street Records]], with a custom record label logo of the ''Sesame Street'' sign. These albums were manufactured by Children's Records of America from 1974 to 1976, and by Distinguished Productions from 1977 to 1984. Over 70 titles were produced over the ten-year run of the label. The catalog included reissues of all of the previous Columbia and Warner Bros. albums, although in less lavish packages than their original editions. At first, titles were only issued on vinyl, but over the years, they were also produced on cassettes and 8-track tapes. The Sesame Street Records label was shut down around 1984.
+
In 1974, ''Sesame Street'' created its own series of records, on an independent label that was called [[Sesame Street Records (label)|Sesame Street Records]], with a custom record label logo of the ''Sesame Street'' sign. These albums were manufactured by Children's Records of America from 1974 to 1976, and by Distinguished Productions from 1977 to 1984. Over 70 titles were produced over the ten-year run of the label. The catalog included reissues of all of the previous Columbia and Warner Bros. albums, although in less lavish packages than their original editions. At first, titles were only issued on vinyl, but over the years, they were also produced on cassettes and 8-track tapes. The Sesame Street Records label was shut down around 1984.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:Bertsblockbusters.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bert's Blockbusters]]''|1974}}|link=Bert's Blockbusters
  
Image:Bertsblockbusters.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bert's Blockbusters]]''|1974}}|link=Bert's Blockbusters
   
Line 50: Line 51:
 
Image:LPRoosevelt.jpg|{{GNH|''[[My Name is Roosevelt Franklin]]''|1974<br>reissue of ''The Year of Roosevelt Franklin''}}|link=My Name is Roosevelt Franklin
  
Image:LPRoosevelt.jpg|{{GNH|''[[My Name is Roosevelt Franklin]]''|1974<br>reissue of ''The Year of Roosevelt Franklin''}}|link=My Name is Roosevelt Franklin
   
−
Image:LPSeeger.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Pete Seeger & Brother Kirk Visit Sesame Street]]''|1974}}|link=Pete Seeger & Brother Kirk Visit Sesame Street
 +
Image:LP-Seeger.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Pete Seeger & Brother Kirk Visit Sesame Street]]''|1974}}|link=Pete Seeger & Brother Kirk Visit Sesame Street
   
 
Image:SSOriginalCast74Reissue.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street 1]]''|1974<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record''}}|link=Sesame Street 1
  
Image:SSOriginalCast74Reissue.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street 1]]''|1974<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record''}}|link=Sesame Street 1
Line 70: Line 71:
 
Image:Sesamestreet2.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street 2]]''|1975<br>reissue of ''The Official Sesame Street 2 Book-and-Record Album''}}|link=Sesame Street 2
  
Image:Sesamestreet2.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street 2]]''|1975<br>reissue of ''The Official Sesame Street 2 Book-and-Record Album''}}|link=Sesame Street 2
   
−
Image:60FavoriteSongsSS1975.jpg|{{GNH|''[[60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street]]''|1975<br>CRA}}|link=60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street
 +
Image:60FavoriteSongsSS1975.jpg|{{GNH|''[[60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street]]''|1975}}|link=60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street
   
 
Image:AlphabetAlbumLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Muppet Alphabet Album]]''|1976<br>reissue}}|link=The Muppet Alphabet Album
  
Image:AlphabetAlbumLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Muppet Alphabet Album]]''|1976<br>reissue}}|link=The Muppet Alphabet Album
Line 94: Line 95:
 
Image:Sesamegold.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street Gold!]]''|1977<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'' and ''The Official Sesame Street 2 Book-and-Record Album''}}|link=Sesame Street Gold!
  
Image:Sesamegold.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street Gold!]]''|1977<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'' and ''The Official Sesame Street 2 Book-and-Record Album''}}|link=Sesame Street Gold!
   
−
[Image:SignsLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Signs!]]''|1977}}|link=Signs!
 +
Image:SignsLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Signs!]]''|1977}}|link=Signs!
   
 
Image:LPsleepy.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sleepytime Bird]]''|1977}}|link=Sleepytime Bird
  
Image:LPsleepy.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sleepytime Bird]]''|1977}}|link=Sleepytime Bird
Line 160: Line 161:
 
Image:Album.justfriends.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Just Friends]]''|1982<br>reissue of ''Big Bird Sings!'' and ''Let a Frown Be Your Umbrella''}}|link=Just Friends
  
Image:Album.justfriends.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Just Friends]]''|1982<br>reissue of ''Big Bird Sings!'' and ''Let a Frown Be Your Umbrella''}}|link=Just Friends
   
−
Image:Justthetwoofuslp.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Just the Two of Us]]''|1982<br>reissue of ''C is for Cookie'' and ''Grover Sings the Blues''}}|link=Just the Two of Us
 +
Image:Just the Two of Us LP.png|{{GNH|''[[Just the Two of Us]]''|1982<br>reissue of ''C is for Cookie'' and ''Grover Sings the Blues''}}|link=Just the Two of Us
   
 
Image:Album.singalong-lp.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street Sing-Along!]]''|1982}}|link=Sesame Street Sing-Along!
  
Image:Album.singalong-lp.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street Sing-Along!]]''|1982}}|link=Sesame Street Sing-Along!
   
−
Image:BestofBert.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Bert]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Bert
 +
Image:TheBestOfBert1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Bert]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Bert
   
 
Image:Album.bestbigbird-lp.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Big Bird]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Big Bird
  
Image:Album.bestbigbird-lp.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Big Bird]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Big Bird
   
−
Image:Bestofcookiemonster.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Cookie Monster]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Cookie Monster
 +
Image:TheBestOfCookieMonster1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Cookie Monster]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Cookie Monster
   
−
Image:BestOfTheCountLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of the Count]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of the Count
 +
Image:TheBestofTheCount1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of the Count]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of the Count
   
−
Image:Album.bestofernie.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Ernie]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Ernie
 +
Image:TheBestOfErnie1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Ernie]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Ernie
   
−
Image:Album.bestofgrover.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Grover]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Grover
 +
Image:TheBestOfGrover1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Grover]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Grover
   
−
Image:BestOfOscar.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Oscar the Grouch]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Oscar the Grouch
 +
Image:TheBestOfOscar1983.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Oscar the Grouch]]''|1983}}|link=The Best of Oscar the Grouch
   
 
Image:AddLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Born to Add (album)|Born to Add]]''|1983}}|link=Born to Add (album)
  
Image:AddLP.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Born to Add (album)|Born to Add]]''|1983}}|link=Born to Add (album)
Line 189: Line 190:
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
==Other 1980's albums==
 +
==Other 1980s albums==
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small orientation=square>
 
Image:CD).jpeg|{{GNH|''[[In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record]]''|1980<br>Warner Bros. Records}}|link=In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record
  
Image:CD).jpeg|{{GNH|''[[In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record]]''|1980<br>Warner Bros. Records}}|link=In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record
   
Line 205: Line 206:
   
 
==Sight & Sound==
  
==Sight & Sound==
−
Sometime after the Sesame Street Records label closed, many ''Sesame Street'' titles began to be reissued on cassettes by an educational company called [[Sight & Sound]]. While some tapes used the original cover pictures, others had new cover pictures. An important historical footnote during this period is that in 1987, the very first ''Sesame Street'' CD was produced, called ''[[The Best of Sesame Street]]'', and it would be the only CD produced until the early 1990's.
+
Sometime after the Sesame Street Records label closed, many ''Sesame Street'' titles began to be reissued on cassettes by an educational company called [[Sight & Sound]]. While some tapes used the original cover pictures, others had new cover pictures. An important historical footnote during this period is that in 1987, the very first ''Sesame Street'' CD was produced, called ''[[The Best of Sesame Street]]'', and it would be the only CD produced until the early 1990s.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small orientation=portrait navigation="true">
 
Image:SightSoundBestSS1987.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Sesame Street]]''|1987}}|link=The Best of Sesame Street
  
Image:SightSoundBestSS1987.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Sesame Street]]''|1987}}|link=The Best of Sesame Street
   
Line 233: Line 234:
   
 
==Golden Music==
  
==Golden Music==
−
In 1990, titles began to appear on [[Golden Music]], which was the music division of [[Golden Books]]. A mix of new titles appeared, beginning with tributes to [[Jim Henson]] and [[Joe Raposo]], along with reissues of older titles. Golden's license lasted until 1994.
 +
In 1990, titles began to appear on [[Golden Music]], which was the music division of [[Golden Books]]. A mix of new titles appeared, beginning with tributes to [[Jim Henson]] and [[Joe Raposo]], along with reissues of older titles. Golden's license lasted until 1994.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small orientation=portrait>
 
Image:Berterniesidebyside.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bert & Ernie: Side By Side]]''|1990<br>reissue}}|link=Bert & Ernie: Side By Side
  
Image:Berterniesidebyside.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bert & Ernie: Side By Side]]''|1990<br>reissue}}|link=Bert & Ernie: Side By Side
   
Line 247: Line 248:
 
Image:Goldensleepytime.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sleepytime on Sesame Street]]''|1990<br>reissue of ''Sleepytime Bird''}}|link=Sleepytime on Sesame Street
  
Image:Goldensleepytime.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sleepytime on Sesame Street]]''|1990<br>reissue of ''Sleepytime Bird''}}|link=Sleepytime on Sesame Street
   
−
Image:Goldenbestofernie.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Ernie]]''|1990<br>reissue}}|link=The Best of Ernie
 +
Image:GoldenBestOfErnie.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Best of Ernie]]''|1990<br>reissue}}|link=The Best of Ernie
   
 
Image:GoldenSSAlphabetTape.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Sesame Street Alphabet Album]]''|1990<br>reissue of ''The Muppet Alphabet Album''}}|link=The Sesame Street Alphabet Album
  
Image:GoldenSSAlphabetTape.jpg|{{GNH|''[[The Sesame Street Alphabet Album]]''|1990<br>reissue of ''The Muppet Alphabet Album''}}|link=The Sesame Street Alphabet Album
Line 276: Line 277:
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
==Other 1990's albums==
 +
==Other 1990s albums==
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:Album.bobsesame.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bob's Favorite Street Songs]]''|1991<br>A&M Records}}|link=Bob's Favorite Street Songs
  
Image:Album.bobsesame.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Bob's Favorite Street Songs]]''|1991<br>A&M Records}}|link=Bob's Favorite Street Songs
   
Line 284: Line 285:
   
 
==Sony Wonder==
  
==Sony Wonder==
−
In 1995, Sony Wonder began issuing a new series of titles. This was looked on with interest by some ''Sesame'' collectors, since Sony owns the back catalog of Columbia Records, who put out the very first ''Sesame Street'' LP in 1970. While that album was not reissued on CD by Sony Wonder, the third Columbia album, ''[[The Muppet Alphabet Album]]'', was reissued as ''[[Sing the Alphabet]]''. However, one section of dialogue was cut which referred to turning the record over, which wouldn't make any sense to CD listeners.
 +
In 1995, Sony Wonder began issuing a new series of titles. This was looked on with interest by some ''Sesame'' collectors, since Sony owns the back catalog of Columbia Records, who put out the very first ''Sesame Street'' LP in 1970. While that album was not reissued on CD by Sony Wonder, the third Columbia album, ''[[The Muppet Alphabet Album]]'', was reissued as ''[[Sing the Alphabet]]''. However, one section of dialogue was cut which referred to turning the record over, which wouldn't make any sense to CD listeners.
   
−
The Sony Wonder years culminated with ''[[Songs from the Street]]'', an elaborate 3-CD boxed set produced in association with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings. This set was full of classic and rare tracks both from records and from live performances on the show. It also contained a detailed booklet about the history of the show, written by [[Christopher Cerf]]. It was the first time ''Sesame Street'' had received the boxed-set treatment from a major label, although several multi-LP boxed sets had been released over the years on Sesame Street Records.
 +
The Sony Wonder years culminated with ''[[Songs from the Street]]'', an elaborate 3-CD boxed set produced in association with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings. This set was full of classic and rare tracks both from records and from live performances on the show. It also contained a detailed booklet about the history of the show, written by [[Christopher Cerf]]. It was the first time ''Sesame Street'' had received the boxed-set treatment from a major label, although several multi-LP boxed sets had been released over the years on Sesame Street Records.
   
 
Sony Wonder continued to release new titles until 2004.
  
Sony Wonder continued to release new titles until 2004.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:The Bird is the Word! Big Bird's Favorite Songs (CD).jpeg|{{GNH|''[[The Bird is the Word!]]''|1995}}|link=The Bird is the Word!
  
Image:The Bird is the Word! Big Bird's Favorite Songs (CD).jpeg|{{GNH|''[[The Bird is the Word!]]''|1995}}|link=The Bird is the Word!
   
Line 357: Line 358:
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
==Other 2000's albums==
 +
==Other 2000s albums==
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:AreWeThereYetCD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Are We There Yet? (album)|Are We There Yet?]]''|2004<br>Sony Special Products}}|link=Are We There Yet? (album)
  
Image:AreWeThereYetCD.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Are We There Yet? (album)|Are We There Yet?]]''|2004<br>Sony Special Products}}|link=Are We There Yet? (album)
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
 
==Koch Records==
  
==Koch Records==
−
In 2007, [[Koch Records]] announced that it would begin distributing ''Sesame Street'' titles. The first titles began to appear in 2008, with reissues of albums that had previously been released on Sony Wonder. In 2010, Koch Records, now renamed E1 Music, finally reissued ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'' as part of ''[[Old School: Volume 1 (CD)|Old School: Volume 1]]'', a collection of long-out-of-print early ''Sesame Street'' albums.
+
In 2007, [[Koch Records]] announced that it would begin distributing ''Sesame Street'' titles. The first titles began to appear in 2008, with reissues of albums that had previously been released on Sony Wonder. In 2010, Koch Records, now renamed E1 Music, finally reissued ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'' as part of ''[[Old School: Volume 1 (CD)|Old School: Volume 1]]'', a collection of long-out-of-print early ''Sesame Street'' albums.
−
<gallery orientation=none perrow=3>
 +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
 
Image:Elmopalooza!.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Elmopalooza! (soundtrack)|Elmopalooza!]]''|2008<br>reissue}}|link=Elmopalooza! (soundtrack)
  
Image:Elmopalooza!.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Elmopalooza! (soundtrack)|Elmopalooza!]]''|2008<br>reissue}}|link=Elmopalooza! (soundtrack)
   
Line 383: Line 384:
 
Image:Sillysongsreissue.jpg‎|{{GNH|''[[Silly Songs (Sesame Street)|Silly Songs]]''|2009<br>reissue}}|link=Silly Songs (Sesame Street)
  
Image:Sillysongsreissue.jpg‎|{{GNH|''[[Silly Songs (Sesame Street)|Silly Songs]]''|2009<br>reissue}}|link=Silly Songs (Sesame Street)
   
−
File:Oldschoolcdcover.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Old School: Volume 1 (CD)|Old School: Volume 1]]''|2010<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'', ''Big Bird Sings!'' and ''Bert and Ernie Sing-Along''}}|link=Old School: Volume 1 (CD)
 +
Image:Oldschoolcdcover.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Old School: Volume 1 (CD)|Old School: Volume 1]]''|2010<br>reissue of ''The Sesame Street Book & Record'', ''Big Bird Sings!'' and ''Bert and Ernie Sing-Along''}}|link=Old School: Volume 1 (CD)
  +
  +
Image:Oldschoolvol2cd.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Old School: Volume 2 (CD)|Old School: Volume 2]]''|2010<br>reissue of ''The Year of Roosevelt Franklin'', ''Grover Sings the Blues'' and ''The Count Counts''}}|link=Old School: Volume 2 (CD)
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==Download-only Albums==
  +
Beginning in 2010, Sesame Street began to offer their back catalog of albums as downloads through [[Amazon.com]] and [[The iTunes Store]]. They also released the following compilations.
  +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small navigation="true">
  +
Image:SesameStreetMusicAmazonSampler.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street Music: Amazon Sampler]]''|2011}}|link=Sesame Street Music: Amazon Sampler
  +
Image:SesameStreetChristmasCollection.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Sesame Street: Christmas Collection|Christmas Collection]]''|2011}}|link=Sesame Street: Christmas Collection
  +
SesameStreetValentinesCollection.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Valentine's Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Valentine's Collection
  +
ElmosDanceParty.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Elmo's Dance Party]]''|2012}}|link=Elmo's Dance Party
  +
SunnyDaysCollection.png|{{GNH|''[[Sunny Days Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Sunny Days Collection
  +
TravelSongs.png|{{GNH|''[[Travel Songs]]''|2012}}|link=Travel Songs
  +
SummerGames.png|{{GNH|''[[Summer Games Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Summer Games Collection
  +
School-Album.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Back to School Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Back to School Collection
  +
Halloween Collection digital album.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Halloween Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Halloween Collection
  +
GivingThanks.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Giving Thanks Collection]]''|2012}}|link=Giving Thanks Collection
  +
Holiday-Classics.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Holiday Classics]]''|2013}}|link=Holiday Classics
  +
V-Valentine.jpg|{{GNH|''[[V is for Valentine]]''|2014}}|link=V is for Valentine
  +
Lyrical-Letters.jpg|{{GNH|''[[Lyrical Letters]]''|2014}}|link=Lyrical Letters
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==Other 2010s albums==
  +
<gallery widths=209 spacing=small>
  +
Image:SpecialSSXmas-Album.jpg|{{GNH|''[[A Special Sesame Street Christmas (soundtrack)|A Special Sesame Street Christmas]]''|2012<br>Legend Group Records}}|link=A Special Sesame Street Christmas (soundtrack)
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
In addition to the main library of Sesame Street music, over the years, original cast albums have been sold at the ''[[Sesame Street Live]]'' shows. See [[Sesame Street Live Discography]] for a chronological list of titles.
 +
In addition to the main library of Sesame Street music, over the years, original cast albums have been sold at the ''[[Sesame Street Live]]'' shows. See [[Sesame Street Live Discography]] for a chronological list of titles.
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
 
*[[Sesame Street Singles]]
  
*[[Sesame Street Singles]]
−
*[[Sesame Street 45 RPM Boxed Sets]]
 +
*[[Sesame Street 45 RPM Sets]]
−
*[[Sesame Street Book and Record Sets Discography]]
 +
*[[Sesame Street Book and Audio Sets Discography]]
 
*[[Sesame Street Live Discography]]
  
*[[Sesame Street Live Discography]]
 
*[[Sesame Street Videography]]
  
*[[Sesame Street Videography]]

Revision as of 11:05, 25 July 2015

Sesame-discography

From its earliest planning stages, Sesame Street was designed to be a show that would use music and singing as a part of the material being taught. So it was only natural to release the musical content on records, not only to reinforce the curriculum lessons for children when they weren't watching the show, but also so that Sesame Street music could be enjoyed just for its own sake.


The Early Albums

The first six albums were released by Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records, both well-established major labels. These were deluxe albums, issued in colorful gatefold covers, usually with bonus material such as posters, lyric booklets, and photos and drawings of the show's characters. This arrangement lasted for the first five years of the show.

Other 1970s Albums

During the summer of 1970, as The Sesame Street Book & Record became a best seller, Bob McGrath and Loretta Long also released their own children's albums. While not part of the Sesame Street canon (even though they both mention Sesame Street on their covers), they also became well-known albums because of the show's huge popularity.

In 1975, K-Tel Records, known for their mail-order records of hits by various artists, became the first outside label to release an LP of songs from Sesame Street, drawn from previous albums.

Sesame Street Records

In 1974, Sesame Street created its own series of records, on an independent label that was called Sesame Street Records, with a custom record label logo of the Sesame Street sign. These albums were manufactured by Children's Records of America from 1974 to 1976, and by Distinguished Productions from 1977 to 1984. Over 70 titles were produced over the ten-year run of the label. The catalog included reissues of all of the previous Columbia and Warner Bros. albums, although in less lavish packages than their original editions. At first, titles were only issued on vinyl, but over the years, they were also produced on cassettes and 8-track tapes. The Sesame Street Records label was shut down around 1984.

Other 1980s albums

Sight & Sound

Sometime after the Sesame Street Records label closed, many Sesame Street titles began to be reissued on cassettes by an educational company called Sight & Sound. While some tapes used the original cover pictures, others had new cover pictures. An important historical footnote during this period is that in 1987, the very first Sesame Street CD was produced, called The Best of Sesame Street, and it would be the only CD produced until the early 1990s.

Golden Music

In 1990, titles began to appear on Golden Music, which was the music division of Golden Books. A mix of new titles appeared, beginning with tributes to Jim Henson and Joe Raposo, along with reissues of older titles. Golden's license lasted until 1994.

Other 1990s albums

Sony Wonder

In 1995, Sony Wonder began issuing a new series of titles. This was looked on with interest by some Sesame collectors, since Sony owns the back catalog of Columbia Records, who put out the very first Sesame Street LP in 1970. While that album was not reissued on CD by Sony Wonder, the third Columbia album, The Muppet Alphabet Album, was reissued as Sing the Alphabet. However, one section of dialogue was cut which referred to turning the record over, which wouldn't make any sense to CD listeners.

The Sony Wonder years culminated with Songs from the Street, an elaborate 3-CD boxed set produced in association with Sony Music's Legacy Recordings. This set was full of classic and rare tracks both from records and from live performances on the show. It also contained a detailed booklet about the history of the show, written by Christopher Cerf. It was the first time Sesame Street had received the boxed-set treatment from a major label, although several multi-LP boxed sets had been released over the years on Sesame Street Records.

Sony Wonder continued to release new titles until 2004.

Other 2000s albums

Koch Records

In 2007, Koch Records announced that it would begin distributing Sesame Street titles. The first titles began to appear in 2008, with reissues of albums that had previously been released on Sony Wonder. In 2010, Koch Records, now renamed E1 Music, finally reissued The Sesame Street Book & Record as part of Old School: Volume 1, a collection of long-out-of-print early Sesame Street albums.

Download-only Albums

Beginning in 2010, Sesame Street began to offer their back catalog of albums as downloads through Amazon.com and The iTunes Store. They also released the following compilations.

Other 2010s albums

In addition to the main library of Sesame Street music, over the years, original cast albums have been sold at the Sesame Street Live shows. See Sesame Street Live Discography for a chronological list of titles.

See also

Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.