This is the BEST CHRISTMAS ALBUM EVER. Recorded and originally released in 1979, around the time of her outstanding bluegrassy "comeback" album, Roses in the Snow, this album has a similar feel. The disc features Harris' Hot Band members Ricky Skaggs, whose sparkling mandolin work and fiddling drive much of this gem, and Rodney Crowell, who contributes the lovely "Angel Eyes (Angel Eyes)." Also chiming in are ace autoharpist Bryan Bowers, Ricky Nelson and Elvis's lead guitarist James Burton, with vocal cameos from Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt.
The pickin' is immaculate and Brian Ahern's production is clean and crisp. Harris' voice is achingly beautiful and her choice of material is flawless. (Why has no one covered the wonderful title song?) Digitally remastered and released on CD for the first time in 1992, Light of the Stable is a must for anyone who appreciates folk, country, or bluegrass music or rock or pop influenced by those genres.
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris ParksA friend described Emmylou Harris's Light of the Stable as one of the best Christmas albums ever made. While there are plenty of folks who will prefer other artists and musical styles, this album is also high on my list of favorites, because it presents familiar songs in unfamiliar settings, and introduces the listener to some songs, old and new, that haven't had mainstream exposure. There are…Similar sounding releases
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