Light of the Stable

All I Intended to Be Emmylou Harris has always had a way with woe. On All I Intended To Be, she seems more maudlin than ever as she sings her way through songs about loss, heartbreak, even the odd funeral. Of course, this is the kind of material Harris has always been comfortable with, but as her car...	Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas O Santa, where art thou? Patty Loveless's big voice almost upstages such stately hymns here as "Away in a Manager" and "Silent Night." That said, this is one of 2002's most satisfying Christmas albums regardless of genre. Rich with harmony vocals and deft acoustic instrumentation...	Songbird: Rare Tracks and Forgotten Gems Emmylou Harris, godmother of the Americana movement, is a phenomenon for any number of reasons, one of which is that she has has managed to conduct more than four decades of her remarkable career without a single misstep. While Harris has always been committed to honoring the roo...	Angel Band Nestled in the sparest, most pristine musical surroundings of her career, Emmylou Harris delivers her most sublime vocal triumph with this 1987 collection of acoustic gospel songs. By this time, her voice had taken on a slight huskiness, which only strengthened its emotional powe...	The Bells of Dublin Ireland's world-class ambassadors the Chieftains seem determined to play with anyone who is anyone, regardless of genre. On The Bells of Dublin, they do an exceptional job of teaming up with the likes of rockers Jackson Browne and Elvis Costello, as well as songbirds Marianne Fai...
Raising Sand Perhaps only the fantasy duo of King Kong and Bambi could be a more bizarre pairing than Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yet on Raising Sand, their haunting and brilliant collaboration, the Led Zeppelin screamer and Nashville's most hypnotic song whisperer seem made for each othe...	Roses in the Snow Emmylou Harris's 1980 back-to-the-roots album marks a high point in her career. With stellar support from Tony Rice (acoustic guitar), Albert Lee (mandolin), and Ricky Skaggs (fiddle), Harris wanders comfortably and warmly through traditional-country and bluegrass pastures. Skagg...	The New Possibility: John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas Album John Fahey has made a habit of recording a new album of Christmas music every five or six years, but The New Possibility, which was originally released in 1968, is still his best. On it, Fahey has pulled off the near miraculous feat of taking old holiday chestnuts like "Joy to th...	Duets Before raising her profile as a solo artist, Emmylou Harris established herself as the harmony queen of contemporary music, from her partnership with Gram Parsons through sessions with the likes of Bob Dylan. Duets showcases her ability to bring out the best in other singers, tho...	Christmas on the Mountain: A Bluegrass Christmas

At Last -A decent Christmas Album!
This is a fine album . Every track is worth listening to, and some are truly magical.Ths is a mix of traditional Christmas songs in beautiful arrangements, alongside some less well known but very fine Country Christmas tunes.Christmas alb ums simply dont get any better.

Sweet Emmy Lou...
She has such a pretty voice. Maybe just a tad too "country" for me.

An Angelic Voice
As many other fans of Ms. Harris and Christmas music will attest to, 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 an acoustical gem, 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 been listening to this album every Christmas since it was first released and never tire of it. And I must say I love the addition and rendition of "Cherry Tree Carol" - a particular favorite of mine for years (although the other two additions are only fair - Warner and Rhino could have done a bit better, I'm sure, than these two numbers). Buy this, and maybe a Robin Petrie Christmas CD or two (seriously - check her out... - Emmylou's and Robin's cd's sound great together!) and what a fine Christmas Eve you will have!

If it ain't broke...
I really wish Emmylou had just gone and put together a whole brand new Christmas album and not tried to improve a perfect one. For me, the original issue is a 5-star classic: arrangements and sequence. I added this new one to my collection becuz I collect, no other reason.

Born is the King of Israel
This Christmas country classic has been enhanced by the addition of three tracks. Everything Emmylou touches turns to gold. She brings the same elegance and authenticity to Christmas that she always has to the varied genres her career encompassed. The hopeful and uptempo Christmas Time's A Coming opens the album, the familiar Away In A Manger with its beautiful mandolin is straightforward but touching, whilst Angel Eyes is a sad slow ballad. Her voice really soars on The First Noel, while Little Drummer Boy gets a sensitive, graceful treatment. Perhaps it's childhood nostalgia, but her renditions of The First Noel and Star Of Bethlehem really stirred my soul. Most of her best work has always been infused with a spiritual quality, and this is perfectly showcased on her deeply moving version of Silent Night. I was tempted to give this album only four stars since the albums Stumble Into Grace, Red Dirt Girl and Wrecking Ball have spoilt me. But I can't! Light Of The Stable is a brilliant album that perfectly captures the moods of Christmas, with lovely instrumentation and vocals. The best of the new tracks are Cherry Tree Carol and the moving Man Is An Island, composed by the Canadian folk legends Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Once again, Emmylou provides the perfect soundtrack to Christmas. Born is the King of Israel!