Our favorite country Christmas albums
When you're lookin' at Loretta, you're lookin' at country. This album is as country as it gets, and that's one reason we love it.
There’s no better time than the holidays for celebrating tradition, and country music thrives – artistically, if not always commercially – when it’s at its most traditional. Aside from pre-rock vocal pop, it might be the best vehicle for delivering an injection of holiday spirit. Here’s a list of some of our favorite country-flavored yuletide albums:
“20th Century Masters: The Christmas Collection” – Loretta Lynn (MCA Nashville)
When it was released in 1966, it was called “Country Christmas.” And if there’s anything more deserving of that title, I’ve never heard it.
“Light of the Stable” – Emmylou Harris (Warner Bros.)
An amazing batch of players, including Ricky Skaggs and guitarist James Burton, joins Harris’ crystalline voice and backing vocals from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt. An angelic album that shimmers with reverent beauty.
“The Sweetest Gift” – Trisha Yearwood (MCA Special Products)
The luscious, honeyed voice of the belle of Monticello is the ideal way to wrap Christmas standards such as “Let It Snow” and “Away in a Manger.”
“Christmas With Buck” and “Christmas Shopping” – Buck Owens (Sundazed)
Owens didn’t bother much with the standards, though you’ll get “Jingle Bells” on “Christmas With Buck.” And if you have to pick one of these remastered and reissued classics, go with that one because it has the timeless original “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy.”
“Bluegrass and White Snow” – Patty Loveless (Epic)
Following the career peak she reached with 2001’s “Mountain Soul, ” Loveless applied the same bluegrass styling to Christmas standards and a few new tunes. It might be the best bluegrass-flavored Christmas set ever, but if you like this, check out the compilations “Christmas on the Mountain, ” “A Very Special Acoustic Christmas, ” Time/Life’s “Christmas Time’s a-Comin’” or the two “Christmas Grass” compilations.
“The Christmas Spirit” – Johnny Cash (Sony Special Products)
There are several collections of Cash’s Christmas songs, but the early ’60s recordings are the best, and that’s what you get here.
“Christmas With Tammy Wynette” (Epic)
The way that Wynette and producer Billy Sherrill refashion this batch of holiday tunes is a remarkable feat. Recorded in 1970 when Wynette was at her peak, they sound just like the heartbreak queen of country’s hits of the period.
“Merry Christmas to You” – Reba McEntire (Universal Special Products)
McEntire’s later “Secret of Giving – A Christmas Collection” was far slicker and more pop-oriented. This one, from 1987, is a reminder of how deeply country she once sounded.
“Honky Tonk Christmas” – Alan Jackson (BMG Special Products)
Jackson is another artist with a country-fried set of Christmas tunes as well as a more pop-leaning batch. He fares better than most amid the heavily arranged backing on his 2002 “Let It Be Christmas” and contributes a wonderful original in the title track. But 1993’s “Honky Tonk Christmas” is as country as corn liquor.
“Once Upon a Christmas” – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (RCA)
This duo’s rapport is undeniable, starting when they took “Islands in the Stream” to the top of the pop chart in 1983. That was likely the time they were recording this album, released in 1984.
Now it’s your turn. Tell us your about some of your favorite country Christmas songs or albums.
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10 comments Add your comment
pygmyjacket
December 4th, 2010
6:08 am
Gary Morris’s cd ” Every Christmas” puts his tremendous voice on excellant display. Many praise John Berry singing ” Oh Holy Night”, but Gary will raise the hair on your neck with his rendition.
John
December 4th, 2010
7:58 am
Come Darkness,Come Light Twelve Songs of Christmas:Mary Chapin Carpenter.What a wonderful voice.Most are originals.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Christmas Album:Richie Furay sings lead vocals on the second cut.
Diana
December 5th, 2010
1:23 am
I miss the old country tunes. I sing a lot of Patsy Cline and The Judds because I like the message in their songs. Never blogged before so this is a first.
Brian
December 5th, 2010
7:58 am
Two of my favorites not mentioned here:
Kathy Mattea – Good News. The first of two Chrismas CD’s by Kathy Mattea. More originals and/or obscure songs than covers, and one of the strongest ‘message of the season’ type albums that I have ever heard.
Skaggs Family Christmas – Country with a slight bluegrass tinge, this album has multiple generations including Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, and family (Luke Skaggs, Molly Skaggs, Rachael White) with plenty of great performances.
CLAX
December 5th, 2010
8:57 am
1. Christmas on the Mountain: A Bluegrass Christmas – Various Artists
Nominated for 2004 Grammy for “Best Bluegrass Album.”, this project features ten holidays tunes from top artists including Tim O’Brien, Mac Weisman, Del McCoury, Doc Watson, Cyndi Wheeler, and the Osborn Brothers. It is an eclectic but wonderful selection of tunes for the holidays.
2. Bluegrass Christmas Collection: Christmas Time’s a Comin –Various Artists
Traditional Christmas collection from esteemed bluegrass artists such as Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Reno & Smiley, Johnston Mountain Boys, Jimmy Martin and many more. You will find traditional songs like Rudolph, Jingle Bells, and White Christmas.
3. A Skaggs Family Christmas – Skaggs and White Family plus members of Kentucky Thunder
This project offers a good selection of Christmas standards performed by two musically venerated families from the country and bluegrass genres. While arguable not pure bluegrass, the project offers a selection of both traditional Christmas hymns, and original seasonal music in the Skaggs family tradition. You won’t find another Christmas project with the quality of vocal harmonies that can only come from the melding of these two musically oriented families.
4. Beautiful Star: The Christmas Collection – Rhonda Vincent
You will be delighted when you put Rhonda’s sparkling Christmas project into your Christmas rotation. Rhonda Vincent has become a Bluegrass darling and she hits the mark with this Christmas collection.
5. Christmas Album – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
This band’s roots go back to the 1960, their acoustic sound is rooted deep into the Americana Folk Rock and are best know for Mr. Bogangles and the project know as Will the Circle Be Unbroken which placed the band squarely into the realm of Bluegrass. This Christmas CD is a treasure, especially with Alison Krauss joining in on a few of the tunes. This CD offers a mix of traditional with some original tunes that speak to today’s times.
6. O Christmas Tree – Various Artists
This is a nice compilation of traditional Christmas tunes by some of the best Bluegrass artists on the circuit today including Rhonda Vincent, Tony Trishka, Bill Keith, The Johnston Mountain Band, James King Band and Alicia Nugent. Get ready for a sweet blending of bluegrass Christmas traditions
edie
December 5th, 2010
5:09 pm
This report is full of it??? What about the Black Christmas Albums of All Time?????????????
Beth
December 5th, 2010
5:29 pm
What would Christmas be without Elvis Presley singing Blue Christmas? Another favorite Christmas cd is Tracy Lawrence -there are a few traditional Christmas classics but several new ones that make great Christmas standards. Give it a lesson at http://www.tracylawrence.com
And finally, John Berry and Alabama have some of the best voices–love Alabamas’ Thistlehair the Christmas Bear, Christmas in Dixie and John Berry singing O Holy Night. Martina McBride also puts on a spectacular Christmas show as does Lorrie Morgan. Newnan native Alan Jackson does Christmas right with his Christmas renditions, too
YoungerThan ThatNow
December 5th, 2010
9:25 pm
The Oak Ridge Boys have a couple of top notch country Christmas albums… neither of which I can remember the title of right now, but good nonetheless. Their albums are country, make no mistake about that, but their Gospel quartet roots sure helps to make these songs come to life. Their first Christmas project contained the now classic “Thank God For Kids” which at one time was the all time, second most played Christmas song on radio, behind Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”. If there’s anybody who can lay this song out there better than William Lee Golden, I don’t know who it would be.
Their latest Christmas release was filled with “new” tunes, at least to them, but each one was recorded with a classic Christmas carol sung a’cappella right before the new song’s music intro starts. Four part harmony a’cappella is as natural and country as it comes and the carols are all followed by a great, new Christmas song. My favorite is one that’s now been recorded by several artists, including Alan Jackson, entitled “There’s A New Kid In Town”. An ingenious twist on a phrase if there ever was one. Another favorite is “Jesus Is Born Today” featuring “Ace” the great, Duane Allen. All great songs on these two albums.
YoungerThan ThatNow
December 5th, 2010
9:36 pm
And I should also mention that the Oak Ridge Boys do a fairly extended Christmas tour each year and it’s top notch. They do the first half of the show with their hit songs, including “Elvira”, “American Made”, “Dream On”, etc. They take a short intermission to re-set the stage with an abundance of Christmas this and that… trees, garland, snow and lots more… and then they start the Christmas portion of the show with all Christmas tunes. Quite elaborate (they employ an extra truck just to carry the Christmas show props.) with snow falling from the sky and a visit from Santa and some of his elves. All in all, it’s a very good Christmas show which ends with the Oaks great bass, Richard Sterban, reading the Christmas story from the Bible… which details why we really should be celebrating this holiday in the first place. The show changes a little from year to year, so catch it next year if you can’t get to it this year. As their Christmas gifts, we took our entire family (17 of us in all) over 300 miles (each way!) just to see this show a few years back, and everyone loved it!
Tom
December 10th, 2010
3:28 pm
Tammy wynette BESTXMAS EVER
B
B the the BEST