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Christmas

01/01/1989

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All Music Guide Review

Christmas albums are tricky things, because the artist is tackling a listener's past memories and emotions of Christmas. The most successful Christmas albums are those in which the artist does not tamper with the songs too much. On this album, Andy Mackay and his friends (known as the Players) present an album of traditional Christmas carols. Mackay does not deviate from the traditional arrangements with these songs, and he also has picked some classic songs that are not heard that often on Christmas albums ("While Shepherds Watched," "Past Three O'Clock," and "Once in David's City," to name three). This adds to the originality of the entire package. It is an instrumental album, which means this is the perfect CD to have in the background during Christmas festivities. Phil Manzanera basically acts as the executive producer, and thus does not play on the album. This is more or less a solo Andy Mackay album, and a good one. Fans of Christmas music will truly love this album. The combination of brass instruments and strings produces a beautiful sound. Fans of Mackay might be a bit surprised with this one but, again, it is a rewarding album. ~ Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide

Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • 1
  • The Holly and the Ivy
  • 0:45
  • 2
  • In Dulci Jubilo/I Saw Three Ships
  • 2:41
  • 3
  • Good King Wenceslas
  • 1:52
  • 4
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem
  • 2:03
  • 5
  • Angels from the Realms of Glory
  • 1:42
  • 6
  • In the Bleak Midwinter
  • 2:36
  • 7
  • While Shepherds Watched
  • 1:13
  • 8
  • As With Gladness
  • 1:19
  • 9
  • We Three Kings
  • 1:49
  • 10
  • Little Jesus Sweetly Sleeps
  • 2:09
  • 11
  • The Holly Bears the Berry
  • 2:03
  • 12
  • Coventry Carol
  • 1:59
  • 13
  • Away in the Manger
  • 1:52
  • 14
  • The First Noel
  • 2:55
  • 15
  • Joy to the World
  • 1:19
  • 16
  • The Holly and the Ivy
  • 3:00
  • 17
  • Ding Dong Merrily on High
  • 1:55
  • 18
  • On Christmas Night (Sussex Carol)
  • 1:12
  • 19
  • Jingle Bells
  • 1:15
  • 20
  • Here We Come A-Wassailing
  • 2:04
  • 21
  • Past Three O'Clock
  • 3:03
  • 22
  • The Rising of the Sun
  • 2:14
  • 23
  • Once in Royal David's City
  • 2:42
  • 24
  • O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
  • 2:34
  • 25
  • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
  • 1:44
  • 26
  • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  • 1:42
  • 27
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  • 1:47
  • 28
  • Silent Night
  • 2:04
  • 29
  • O Come All Ye Faithful
  • 2:01
  • 30
  • The Boars Head Carol
  • 1:36
  • 31
  • Deck the Halls
  • 2:07
  • 32
  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • 2:00
  • 33
  • The Holly and the Ivy
  • 1:02

  • Credits

    • Andy Mackay
    • Arranger, Oboe, Whistle (Human), Producer, Sax (Soprano), Cor Anglais
    • Bob Morgan
    • Clarinet, Arranger, Sax (Tenor), Producer, Percussion
    • Chris Turner
    • Harmonica, Jawbone, Bombard, Cymbals, Producer, Harp Arrangement, Cornetto, Whistle (Human)


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