The Clancy Brothers Christmas
1969 © Columbia CS-9876 (stereo only) LP
Side One
Jingle Bells (Buala Bas) [1]
Sing We the Virgin Mary - J.J. Niles
The Holly Tree [1]
Angels We Have Heard
When Joseph Was an Old Man
Christmas in Carrick - S. McGrath
Side Two
Silent Night [1]
Lovely Far Off City
Christ Child Lullaby - S. Ennis
Curoo, Curoo
The Wren Song - Tom, Pat, Liam & Joan Clancy & Tommy Makem
Credits
Paddy Clancy: Vocals and Harmonica
Tom Clancy: Vocals
Liam Clancy: Vocals and Guitar
Bobby Clancy: Vocals and Harmonica
with
Finbar Furey: 5-string Banjo, Uilleann Pipes and Whistle & backing vocals (un-credited)
Eddie Furey: Guitar & backing vocals (un-credited)
Produced and Arranged by Teo Macero
1 Arranged and Adapted by Tom, Pat and Liam Clancy
Engineering: Russ Payne
Cover photo: Malcolm Kirk
This is the first recording by the Clancy Brothers without Tommy Makem.
Sleeve notes (excerpts)
This album marks the addition of Bob Clancy, who joins his three brothers in celebrating Christmas in song with a group of very unusual and delightful selections of the season. His picture is to the far right on the cover. In case you don't know, the other Clancy lads (l. to r.) are Pat, Tom and Liam. Thank you for your kind attention.
Alternate releases
Christmas with The Clancy Brothers:1987 - Shanachie 52017 LP
1993 - Shanachie 52017 CD
This is the only Shanachie reissue where the cover was altered from the original.
The Clancy Brothers Christmas: 1993 - Columbia CK-52832 CD
The Clancy Brothers Christmas: 1995 - SSP 24081 CD
Reviews by Sean McGuinness
This was the first album without Tommy Makem. In his place, we find Bobby Clancy and, although uncredited on the album itself, Finbar and Eddie Furey play and sing (Finbar on uilleann pipes and whistle; Eddie on guitars). Its interesting that it took three people to "replace" Tommy Makem.
This is a truly great album and thankfully it has been released on CD in its entirety. The album cover is terrific. The only complaint about this record is that it is too short. Amazingly enough this album was recorded in the summer of 1969 in London. It almost feels as if it were recorded during a Christmas party.
"Buala Bas", which is a bilingual version of "Jingle Bells" starts the album off with great festivity. Liam's tender version of "Sing We The Virgin Mary" bring us back to the point of the season. "The Holly Tree", a version of "The Holly and the Ivy" is next, followed by "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Both songs were recorded with the brothers trading vocals as they do on most of the songs on this album. An obscure Appalachian version of "The Cherry Tree Carol" entitled "When Joseph Was an Old Man" is next and it is truly great. Side one closes with the festive party song " Christmas In Carrick" (you can hear the Fureys sing on this one). Its great fun.
Side two starts with "Silent Night" and although they don't know the correct words to the second verse, this is a lovely version. Again, you can hear Eddie Furey singing on this one. Another obscure song, "Lovely Far Off City" is next, which is followed by the Scottish song "Christ Child Lullaby", which was translated from Scots Gaelic by Seamus Ennis. "Curroo Curroo", also known as "The Carol of the Birds" is next with Paddy taking the lead. "The Wren Song" closes the album out with more fun and frivolity, including a harmonica interlude, courtesy of Paddy and Bobby, featuring the melody of "The Boys From The County Cork."
A truly great album, which I rate an A.
Reviews Copyright © Sean McGuinness, 2001-2012