In a short time after forming in 1962,
the New Christy Minstrels became famous, leading the group to do what all famous groups are led to do sooner or later: record a holiday album. Of course, this was in a day before anyone worried that other groups might be celebrating Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, so the
New Christys thought nothing of titling their album,
Merry Christmas The
New Christys were one of many groups that cashed in on the popularity of
the Kingston Trio, guaranteeing listeners professional folk music with no rough edges. And while this white-bread approach to folk often proved soulless,
Merry Christmas has aged well, and even to those who prefer more authentic folk music, the
New Christys never overdo it here. The real joy of the album is that the group went out of its way to record unusual holiday songs -- many that will be unfamiliar to even avid Christmas music fans. Both "Beautiful City" and "Tell It on the Mountain" get the disc off to a buoyant start, and the rather large troupe -- nine members -- use their numerical strength to offer a wide variety of arrangements. Interestingly, these songs will be the most familiar pieces on the album. Highlights include "One Star," "Sing Hosanna. Hallelujah," and "Parson Brown (Our Christmas Dinner)." The
New Christys would record another holiday album three years later -- Christmas With the New Christy Minstrels: Complete! -- but it doesn't hold a candle to the first one. For aging folk fans or anyone looking for a holiday album out of the ordinary,
Merry Christmas should fit the bill. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.