| The John Fahey Christmas Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by John Fahey | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Label | Burnside Attic | |||
| Producer | Terry Robb, Don MacLeod | |||
| John Fahey chronology | ||||
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The John Fahey Christmas Album is an album by the American musician John Fahey, released in 1991. It was originally released by Burnside, a record store in Portland, Oregon.
The John Fahey Christmas Album was one of five Christmas albums recorded by Fahey. "O' Holy Night" was included on the Imaginational Anthem compilation.
Production
The album was produced by Terry Robb and Don MacLeod.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide | |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 7/10 |
The Province wrote that "the flute, piano and cello accompaniment creates a lithe, pleasant chamber-ensemble ambience." The Edmonton Journal opined that, "while it might be labelled part of the contemplative art form known as New Age, the music is rich, difficult and beautiful enough to impress non-aficionados of relaxation music." The Globe and Mail noted that "Fahey's warm, round tone glows like a Yule log at midnight and the balance between the familiar and obscure is delicate enough that the album can tug heartstrings without ever becoming cloying."
In 2017, Pitchfork, comparing the 1991 release to his earlier Christmas albums, wrote: "For Fahey, holiday music allowed for a sort of evolving emotional inventory and a dependable corrective for heavy feelings. It, like him, could change."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jingle Bells" | |
| 2. | "Angels from the Realms of Glory" | |
| 3. | "Silent Night" | |
| 4. | "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming" | |
| 5. | "Irish Medley" | |
| 6. | "O' Little Town of Bethlehem" | |
| 7. | "Santisima" | |
| 8. | "Christ Is Born on Christmas Day" | |
| 9. | "O' Come Little Children/Ach Du Lieber Augustine" | |
| 10. | "Mary Had a Baby" | |
| 11. | "The Little Drummer Boy" | |
| 12. | "Good Christian Men Rejoice, Rejoice" | |
| 13. | "Spanish Carol" | |
| 14. | "O' Holy Night" | |
| 15. | "Christ Is Born as Child of Man" | |
| 16. | "Christmas Medley
|
References
- Krewen, Nick (30 Nov 1992). "Christmas music: From bizarre to traditional, take your choice". The Hamilton Spectator. p. D1.
- "Byron Coley on John Fahey". Perfect Sound Forever.
- Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey, American Guitarist. Chicago Review Press. June 1, 2014.
- "The Legend of John Fahey & Blind Joe Death". Record Collector.
- Hughley, Marty (February 17, 1995). "Burnside Records Throws Birthday Bash". The Oregonian. p. AE10.
- Hann, Michael (10 Dec 2021). "Rockin' around the Christmas streams". Music. The Guardian. p. 6.
- "Near Mint Debuts With Solo Guitar Compilation". Billboard. July 20, 2005.
- ^ MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 263.
- "John Fahey The John Fahey Christmas Album". AllMusic.
- Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 139.
- Harrison, Tom; McLaughlin, John (10 Dec 1992). "Jingle Bells rang out in July for some fans". The Province. p. C3.
- Metella, Helen (17 Dec 1992). "New CDs (Christmas discs)". Edmonton Journal. p. D1.
- Dafoe, Chris (21 Dec 1992). "'The John Fahey Christmas Album' John Fahey". The Globe and Mail. p. C1.
- "Why You Should Listen to John Fahey's Christmas Music—Even If You Hate Christmas Music". Pitchfork. December 13, 2017.