Light of the Stable [Bonus Tracks] Tracks
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
Light of the Stable [Bonus Tracks] Review
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
Light of the Stable [Bonus Tracks] Review
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.
![Emmylou Harris - Light of the Stable [Bonus Tracks]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000641Z3Q.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg "Emmylou Harris - Light of the Stable [Bonus Tracks]")
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.