In her early days Joan Baez's beautiful soprano rang like a bell, so it's no surprise that it's the perfect instrument for a set of ancient carols and Christmas favorites. Arranger Peter Schickele (of Public Radio Internat... more »ional's Schickele Mix and P.D.Q. Bach fame) wisely sets Baez off against a background of traditional instruments on this 1966 chestnut, mixing her honeyed tones with the burrs, tinkles, and whispers of lutes, harpsichords, and recorders. "Coventry Carol" is gorgeous, moving in a way that few holiday songs do anymore. "Carol of the Birds" is enchanting. And Baez's quivery "Silent Night" is, quite simply, a gift. Noel (whose songs of peace were a quiet protest against the war in Vietnam) is an enduring, graceful classic. --Michael Ruby« less
In her early days Joan Baez's beautiful soprano rang like a bell, so it's no surprise that it's the perfect instrument for a set of ancient carols and Christmas favorites. Arranger Peter Schickele (of Public Radio International's Schickele Mix and P.D.Q. Bach fame) wisely sets Baez off against a background of traditional instruments on this 1966 chestnut, mixing her honeyed tones with the burrs, tinkles, and whispers of lutes, harpsichords, and recorders. "Coventry Carol" is gorgeous, moving in a way that few holiday songs do anymore. "Carol of the Birds" is enchanting. And Baez's quivery "Silent Night" is, quite simply, a gift. Noel (whose songs of peace were a quiet protest against the war in Vietnam) is an enduring, graceful classic. --Michael Ruby
Larraine F. from ABINGDON, MD Reviewed on 12/3/2006...
This is NOT the same as the picture shown but it IS the same CD. It is the original, not remastered.
CD Reviews
The Xmas Voice
mrmouse | Southampton, NJ USA | 12/18/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, Joan Baez is a great singer of Christmas songs too. And why not? Even if your not a fan of all of her work, there's no doubt she has the voice of an angel! And this is the perfect album on which to hear that voice as it was recorded in 1966, when Joan's voice was at it's loveliest. If your looking for a simple Christmas album, not overproduced, featuring your favorite carols sung in a passionate, powerful manner this one is for you.
Especially beautiful are Joan's versions of "I Wonder as I Wander", "What Child is This", and an incredible, "Silent Night."
This will quickly become one of your favorite Christmas Albums."
Get Remastered version of "Noel" instead of this CD
E. A. Lovitt | Gladwin, MI USA | 09/05/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Joan Baez has the perfect voice for these lovely old (or seemingly old) Christmas carols---a plangent, high, pure soprano. Only her fast vibrato keeps her from being mistaken for a Vienna choir boy.
It was eerie to hear her sing these carols again on CD, almost forty years after I first heard them on vinyl. In that decades-long interval, no one has ever managed to sing "The Little Drummer Boy" without sounding saccharine and/or lachrymose. I grew to despise the "rump bump bump bums" that resounded every Christmas season through elevators and K-Marts---until I heard Joan sing the song again. Somehow her straightforward presentation, with medieval-sounding accompaniment make this 1940's chestnut into a haunting Childe ballad.
This CD has a good mix of traditional carols, and some that may sound unfamiliar, e.g. "Down in Yon Forrest."
If you buy the remastered version of "Noël" rather than this CD, you will get six extra songs: "The First Noel," "We Three Kings (instrumental)," "Virgin Mary," "Good Christian Kings (instrumental)," "Burgundian Carol," and "Away In a Manger (French)."
"
Beautiful!!
J. Yates | San Jose, CA USA | 08/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I grew up loving this album on LP. It brings back a lot of memories as my favorite record to listen too. Joan Biaz has a woderful voice and displays it in an absolutely beautiful way on this album... A must have!!"
Giving Christmas back its magic
Cinnamon Blues | Flying | 10/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who do not believe in Santa Claus any longer, here you have every reason to believe in Joan Baez. And in the sacral, beyond-religion, magical feeling and warmth that is the real spirit of Christmas. This is truly the most beautiful Christmas music that I have ever heard. I never tire it out! Mysterious arrangments that wrap around Joan's crystal voice like cobwebs and make you doubt that you have heard any of these carols before. It makes you listen. Close your eyes, wander through dim and strange landscapes, let Joan guide you back to plastic-fantastic-land, and feel that you've been there, that you know what it's all about. Then smile."
Exquisite
Cinnamon Blues | 09/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of our favorite Christmas albums. It is breathstoppingly beautiful and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Buy this cd if you love beautiful old carols."