From the Editors

Emmylou Harris has a breathtaking voice--literally. Her voice is all about air. The way she breathes in before dropping a note or the way one breaks off as she comes up for air. She can sing just about anything and make it sound like her heart is breaking and the end is near. Christmas songs are another matter. The slower songs work best ("Away in a Manger," "The First Noel"). "Silent Night" takes on new life as Harris locates its tranquil center. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Neil Young join her. --<I>Rob O'Connor</I>
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Customer Response

Emmylou Harris: Christmas album
Emmylou Harris' "The Christmas Album" is a must-have for all Harris fans and
those who enjoy delightful holiday songs. This compilation includes "Light of
the Stable", a beautiful hymn praising the birth of the Savior, by the light
of a stable so many years ago. While appearing on Opryland's Country Christmas tv
special, Emmylou describes this selection as one of the "classics" regarding Chrismas songs, comparing it to "Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night", also found on this collection. No matter what time of year it is, treat yourself to a Christmas gift right now. Buy this album, then lose yourself in pleasure! Jean A., CA

Easily my favorite Christmas album of all time - a real joy
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5 stars times a hundredthousand or so!
This has been in my top 3 ever since decades ago. From "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" thru the last note of "Light of the Stable" this album has my heart. Emmylou has the most sublime voice of anyone I've heard on a Christmas album. She and her fellow artists have channeled the heavenly. (Do I sound too effusive? I'm holding back.) Her "Little Drummer Boy" always moves me to tears, and "Light of the Stable" is, for me, the finest new carol written. If you're not into country-music, I say give it another try with this one. You just might become a once-a-year fan.

'Christmas Time's A-Coming'
It sure is, and this is another one of my favorite Christmas albums! What a treat, I thought I'd be listening to Emmylou Harris, not betting on Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton to boot! Their harmonies are just plain glorious! I love all the songs on this, especially "The Little Drummer Boy" and the title track, "Light of the Stable"! Recommended!!!

Beautiful Star, Sing On!
This is one of my favorite Christmas CD's, one I must hear each year. All the ten songs are fine, but my favorite is "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem." It was a song we always sang in church when I was a child in East Tennessee. I have never heard it sung anywhere else. Harris does a fantastic job of this country/bluegrass carol. If you don't know it already, you will come to love it. "Little Drummer Boy" is another great one as well. I find myself humming these songs and others all day long after hearing this CD, a sure sign that I'm sold on it.

Ms. Harris is joined by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Doly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Sharon Hicks, Cheryl Warren and Ricky Skags who sing backup vocals on the various songs. Brian Bowers, probably the reigning autoharp virtuoso, plays on some selections too.

This CD is a reissue from an earlier LP. Ms. Harris was photographed for that album in a getup that apparently was meant to make her look like the Virgin Mary. On this CD somebody had the good taste to abandon that look. She is photographed wearing a red evening gown and looking every bit as elegant as Kathleen Battle. A wondrous improvement!

Listening to this CD is one of the true joys of Christmas.

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