It was worth every penny paid. Growing up we would listen to my mom's record of this. The days of record players have long come and gone hence why we got this on CD. It's just not Christmas with out the Statler Brothers.
The Statler brothers recorded their first Christmas album (Christmas card) when Lew DeWitt was a group member. By the time this album was recorded, Lew had departed because of ill-health, so Jimmy Fortune had joined the group as his replacement. Another difference between them is the earlier album contained several familiar songs as well as several originals, while this album only contains two not so well known covers, with the rest of the songs being originals.
The two covers (Bethlehem Brahms lullaby, Little toy trains) are both outstanding, but they aren't as familiar as a lot of Christmas songs that I can think of. Another track (For Momma) includes a chorus each from three of those old chestnuts (O little town of Bethlehem, Silent night, Away in a manger), which is as near as the Statler brothers get to the familiar classics on this album.
The seven entirely original songs are all excellent but for highlights, I'll pick out Christmas country style, Somewhere in the night and No reservation at the inn. That's not an easy choice in considering such quality songs, so I won't be surprised if your highlights are completely different.
The Statler brothers delivered another brilliant Christmas album with this release. I slightly prefer the earlier release despite its partial reliance on familiar classics, but there's really not much too choose between them as both are outstanding.
This is as close as I could get to my husband's old cassette tape. He loves the Statler Brothers and I love the rich harmonies. A country-gospel lover's must-have.
Have been looking for this CD for a while - my husband has been talking about it forever. We have the tape, but the CD is amazing qulaity!
An added bonus if you already have the Statlers first Christmas album. Little Toy Trains is now one of my favorites.......brings back great memories.
