The Animals' Christmas

Art Garfunkel

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 1, 1999)
• Original Release Date: December 1, 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: KG
• ASIN: B000040JNM
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,360 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist
Art Garfunkel writes, "It's a gothic cathedral of an album; it's very ambitious. It was the type of project that would have been done by papal commission long ago."

Product Description
Art Garfunkel and Jimmy Webb, who have collaborated on several critically acclaimed projects over the last twenty years, have joined together with Amy Grant and The London Symphony Orchestra to perform this Christmas cantata. Set against the Nativity story as told from the perspective of the animals who were there, this CD contains magnificent production values and wonderful vocal performances by Garfunkel and Grant. In addition, the Kings College School Choir provides beautiful backing. Other performers include Jimmy Webb on piano, Eric Weissberg (dueling banjo fame) on banjo and acoustic guitar, and Steve Gadd on drums. Geoff Emerick (engineer on The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper") co-produces the album.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 15 minutes of fame, December 19, 2000

By A Customer

I was in fact one of the choirboys who sang on this album, and it's been a long time since I thought about it (October 1984 seems a long time ago!). But a quick glance at Amazon has rather amazed me - I thought it had been a failure consigned to history, but it seems some people did actually enjoy the record!

It was amazing fun to rehearse and record, and although Amy did all her parts in the States, Art sang with us in the South-west London church used for the choir recordings. The choir parts were extremely well written and very challenging - we were used to simple, straightforward choral works and the harmonies and rhythms of "The Animals' Christmas" were a real challenge. But six full days of recording created the wonderful record several of you seem to have enjoyed - even now, 16 years later, I have extremely fond memories of the record. Merry Christmas!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best productions there is., December 12, 2003

By	Barrootz "bhappy1234h" (Southern, CT United States) - See all my reviews

A few years ago I was expanding my Christmas CD collection (now closing in on 50 cds) I was taking a gamble and buying some recording I was not familiar with at all. Musically my preference has always been for singers and songwriters enjoying the collaborations between the two. Art Garfunkel's sorrowful voice and Amy Grant's ultra crisp pipes mesh perfectly on this expertly crafted disc. The backing of the London Symphony Orchestra and the Kings College Choir is absolute perfection.
Don't be put off by the powerful 'in your face' "Annunciation" the album quickly settles into a wonderful pace full of lush harmony and interplay between Art, Amy and the Choir. This album is unique for many reasons. The songs range from powerful "Annunciation", to the overwhelmingly cute "Simple Little Tyune"<sic and the haunting "Incredible Phat".

This album reaches out and touches my soul. I still get misty and chills. My prefered way to listen to this recording is a darkened room (a single candle will really set the mood for you)

This is in my top 5 Christmas Albums....If you are looking for another relatively unknown buy utterly fantastic Christmas Album try Clint Black's Looking for Christmas....full of original songs from a great Singer Songwriters perspective (even if you don't like country music)

If you are reading this, you either have already bought The Animals Christmas, or are thinking seriously about it....Think no more and push the buttons to place your order... it will be money well spent. Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and peace on earth.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets better and better with each listening., May 8, 2002

By A Customer

I fell in love with this work the first time I heard it, and each time I hear it, I still get goosebumps. It is pure genius. The music and lyrics are true works of art and the performance by the Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, the Boys' Choir, and the orchestra could not be better. But you have to actually LISTEN to it. You can't put it on for background music like most Christmas carols. It deserves your utmost attention. I was thrilled to see that I could get another copy on CD. My tape is about worn out.