Track Listing

1. Christmas Time's A Coming
2. O Little Town of Bethleham
3. Away in A Manger
4. Angel Eyes
5. The First Noel
6. Beautiful Star of Bethleham
7. Little Drummer Boy
8. Golden Cradle
9. Silent Night
10. Light of the Stable
11. There's a Light
12. Cherry Tree Carol
13. Man is an Island

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60279 in Music
• Released on: 2004-11-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Album Description
Light of the Stable debuted in 1979, with a title track featuring backing vocals from Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton. The sublime Rodney Crowell-penned "Angel Eyes," composed specially for this album, features Rick Skaggs on mandolin and Skaggs and Willie Nelson on vocal harmony, and is just one of many highlights. This radiant acoustic masterpiece--graced throughout with the presence of stellar guests--features both contemporary and traditional gems, and is now expanded with three newly recorded songs.

Amazon.com
First released in 1979, Light of the Stable has survived the passage of time and received much acclaim over the years. Updated in 2004 with three new tunes and insightful liner notes, its light now shines even brighter. A host of well-known voices and players join Harris on Christmas songs both familiar and unexpected. Among her guests are Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell, Neil Young, Ricky Skaggs, James Burton, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle, the latter of whose lovely arrangements of the traditional "Cherry Tree Carol" and their own "Man Is an Island" are two of the bonus tracks.

Given its history and craft, Light of the Stable is more than just a seasonal collection. In many ways, it's shaped the sound of country Christmas records for the 25 years since its original release--yet the warm glow of its own artistry has never wavered. Consider it a little masterpiece. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews

Beautiful Christmas music with a touch of bluegrass
Emmylou originally recorded this in 1978, when she was at the peak of her popularity. The instrumentation is generally sparse but effective, allowing Emmylou's voice to shine.

The set opens with the bright, upbeat Christmas time's a coming, done bluegrass-style with banjo and mandolin. All the remaining songs are slow to mid-tempo. They include the Rodney Crowell song Angel eyes, the Irish lullaby Golden Cradle and several Christmas standards, most very famous but including Beautiful star of Bethlehem which doesn't get recorded as often as the other carols here.

The album closes with the brilliant Light of the stable, which features Neil Young, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on harmony vocals.

Emmylou and her band were in top form when they recorded this album. A couple of extra upbeat songs might have made this album even better, but it's still a great album for those quieter moments around Christmas time.

This re-mastered edition features improved sound quality and three extra tracks, previously unreleased (There's a light, Cherry tree carol, Man is an island) making this even better value than the earlier edition.

Holdiay Classic Gets Even Better
While it is not being promoted as such, this is the 25th anniversary of the first release of this classic holiday album and it marks at least the third time this album has been repackaged, this time with three new recordings: "There's a Light," "Man Is an Island" and the traditional "Cherry Tree Carol."

This album actually has its origins dating back to 1975 when the title track was first recorded and released as a single. It established the blueprint for the remainder of the album: sparse instrumentation is employed throughout (on "Golden Cradle" Harris is backed only by an understated gut string guitar, and "The First Noel" is an a capella number where she is backed by the Whites), all instruments are acoustic, and the emphasis is placed squarely on Harris' angelic voice.

The musicians are from among the best in country music: Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, Hank DeVito and Emory Gordy Jr. Several tracks also feature autoharpist Brian Bowers to wonderful effect.

LIGHT OF THE STABLE has always been among my favorite Christmas albums, with this new Rhino repackaging it only got better. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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!