Christmas Album (Light of the Stable)

Emmylou Harris

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1992)
• Original Release Date: July 1979
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KLT
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,730 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She captures the spirit of Christmas beautifully., November 27, 1999

By	Matt Coker (Davis, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

For the past two years, LIGHT OF THE STABLE has been the first Christmas music I've listened to. Just hearing this album instantly puts me in the Christmas spirit. "Christmas Time's A-Coming" starts the season off beautifully. The versions of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", "Away In The Manger", "The First Noel", and "Silent Night" sound as if they're being sung by angels. "The First Noel" is sung without instrumnetal backing, in beautiful harmony with the Whites. "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem", "Golden Cradle", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Angel Eyes" are equally gorgeous. "Light Of The Stable" is one of my favorite Christmas songs. One listen to this album will put you in the spirit of Christmas. You won't regret buying it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Christmas music with a touch of bluegrass, November 2, 2002

By	Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Emmylou originally recorded this in 1978, when she was at the peak of her popularity. The instrumentation is generally sparse but effective, allowing Emmylou's voice to shine.

The set opens with the bright, upbeat Christmas time's a coming, done bluegrass-style with banjo and mandolin. All the remaining songs are slow to mid-tempo. They include the Rodney Crowell song Angel eyes, the Irish lullaby Golden Cradle and several Christmas standards, most very famous but including Beautiful star of Bethlehem which doesn't get recorded as often as the other carols here.

The album closes with the brilliant Light of the stable, which features Neil Young, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on harmony vocals.

Emmylou and her band were in top form when they recorded this album. A couple of extra upbeat songs might have made this album even better, but it's still a great album for those quieter moments around Christmas time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Angelic Voice, November 15, 2001

By	K. Giorlando "amateur social historian" (Eastpointe, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

As many other reviewers have stated before me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Emmylou. The sweetest voice this side of heaven, Emmylou Harris' "Light of the Stable" is so personel that it feels as if she's singing just for you. I cannot choose just one favorite amongst these tracks. Each one is a favorite, from the bluegrassy "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" to "Silent Night." I must say, though, that the title track, with the most beautiful 'Hallejula's' I've ever heard, stands out just a bit above the rest.
I have listened to this album since it first came out and never tire of it. If there was one complaint, however, that would be the length. It could be a few songs longer. I'm sure that Warner Brothers has some music from this session that for whatever reason, they chose not to include on this album. It would be great if they would dig through their vaults, find those songs, and throw them on a special edition of this recording.
But don't let the length stop you from purchasing this disc. Buy this, and maybe one of Robin Petrie's Christmas CD's (seriously - check her out ...- Emmylou's and Robin's cd's sound great together!) and what a fine Christmas Eve you will have!