Christmas Time with The Judds

Last updated

Christmas Time with The Judds
The Judds--Christmas Time.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1987 (1987-11)
RecordedAugust 1987
StudioCreative Workshop
Genre
Length29:27
Label
Producer Brent Maher
The Judds chronology
Heartland
(1987)
Christmas Time with The Judds
(1987)
Greatest Hits
(1988)
Singles from Christmas Time with The Judds
  1. "Silver Bells"
    Released: November 1987

Christmas Time with The Judds is the fourth studio album by American country duo the Judds. It was released in November 1987 in conjunction with Curb and RCA Nashville. It was produced by Brent Maher. Christmas Time was the duo's first collection of Christmas music released in a full-length album. The album contained nine tracks of holiday material that would later be re-released in the following decades.

Contents

Background and content

Christmas Time with the Judds would be the duo's fourth studio album and first of Christmas music. [2] By this point, the duo had become one of country music's most successful duo's, having several number one hits and three successful studio albums. [3]

Christmas Time was recorded at the Creative Workshop, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The record was produced by Brent Maher, whom had previously produced the Judds's previous three studio offerings. [2] A total of nine tracks were included in the holiday package. Eight of the album's tracks were cover versions of well-known holiday tunes. Songs covered on the album included "Silver Bells," "Winter Wonderland," "Away in a Manger" and "O Holy Night." [1] One new recording was offered as well. The third track, "Who Is This Babe," had not been recorded prior to the album's release. It was composed by Don Potter, who served as the duo's assistant producer on several projects. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg
Nashville NoiseFavorable
Ultimate TwangFavorable

Christmas Time with The Judds received mostly positive reviews following its release. Heather Phares of Allmusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. She praised the album's cover versions of Christmas tunes, calling them holiday favorites. In conclusion, she stated: "An enjoyable Christmas collection, and a must for fans of the Judds." [1]

In 2018, the album was reviewed by the online publication, Nashville Noise. Writer Gabe Crawford gave the collection a positive response. Crawford called the album's remakes of holiday Christian tunes to be the record's highlights, praising "What Child Is This?" and "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem." Crawford also commented on the duo's harmony vocals, calling them "angelic." "In the rush of the Christmas season, Christmas Time With the Judds is a slow reflection and reminder of what Christmas is really about," he concluded. [4] In addition, online publication Ultimate Twang gave the record a positive reception in their review. "The Judds made a lot of great music during the 80s, but this album may well be the epitome," writers commented. [5]

Release and chart performance

Christmas Time with The Judds was first released in November 1987 via Curb Records and RCA Records. [2] In its original release, it was offered in several formats: a vinyl LP, audio cassette and compact disc. The album was re-released in 1999 via Curb and Mercury Records, offered as a compact disc.

In its original 1987 release, Christmas Time peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. [6] Then, the album re-charted the same survey in 1988 and reached number 68. [7] The package also charted on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums list. In its original release, Christmas Time peaked at number nine on the holiday albums chart in December 1987. [8] After its 1999 re-issue, it re-charted the same list, peaking at number 36 in January 2000. [9] The album also spawned one single release: "Silver Bells." Upon its original release in November 1987, the single did not chart any Billboard publications. [10] Ten years later, the single made its first appearance on the Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 68 in January 1998. [11]

Track listing

Vinyl and cassette versions

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Winter Wonderland"3:44
2."Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"A.L. Philips3:27
3."Who Is This Babe" Don Potter 3:03
4."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"2:50
5."Silver Bells"2:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."What Child Is This?"Traditional3:30
2."Away in a Manger"Traditional2:27
3."O Holy Night"4:00
4."Silent Night"3:15

Compact disc version

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Winter Wonderland"
  • Bernard
  • Bernhard Smith
3:44
2."Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"Philips3:27
3."Who Is This Babe"Potter3:03
4."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
2:50
5."Silver Bells"
  • Evans
  • Livingston
2:59
6."What Child Is This?"Traditional3:30
7."Away in a Manger"Traditional2:27
8."O Holy Night"
  • Adam
  • Cappeau
4:00
9."Silent Night"
  • Gruber
  • Mohr
3:15

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Christmas Time with The Judds. [2]

Musical personnel

Chart performance

Chart (1987)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [12] 49
US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard) [13] 9
Chart (1988)Peak
position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [12] 68
Chart (2000)Peak
position
US Top Holiday Albums (Billboard) [13] 36

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [14] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [15] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesNovember 1987Vinyl
Cassette
Compact disc
EuropeVinyl
CanadaRCA Records
United States1999Compact disc
October 14, 2003Curb Records
November 4, 2006Music download [16]

Related Research Articles

Wynonna Judd American country singer

Wynonna Ellen Judd is a multi award-winning American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country singers. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles including those of the Judds making her one of the best-selling country artists of all time. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the single name Wynonna. She first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother Naomi in the country music duo the Judds. They released seven albums on Curb Records in addition to 26 singles, of which fourteen were No. 1 hits.

The Judds American country music duo

The Judds were an American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. The duo signed to RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. They also had 25 singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, of which 14 went to No. 1. After eight successful years as a duet, the Judds ceased performing in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Soon after, Wynonna embarked on a highly successful solo career. The two have occasionally reunited for special tours, the most recent of which was in 2017.

<i>River of Time</i> (The Judds album) 1989 studio album by the Judds

River of Time is the fifth studio album released by RCA Nashville in 1989 by the American country music duo the Judds. It features the singles "Young Love ," "Let Me Tell You About Love," "One Man Woman" and "Guardian Angels." While the first two singles reached #1 on the country charts, the latter two peaked at #8 and #16 respectively, with "Guardian Angels" being their first single since 1983's "Had a Dream " to miss Top Ten. "Do I Dare" is not included on the cassette version.

Santa Baby

"Santa Baby" is a song performed by American singer Eartha Kitt with Henri René and His Orchestra and originally released in 1953. The song was written by Joan Javits and Philip Springer, who also used the pseudonym Tony Springer in an attempt to speed up the song's publishing process. Lyrically, the song is a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christmas list addressed to Santa Claus by a woman who wants extravagant gifts such as sables, yachts, and decorations from Tiffany's.

<i>Why Not Me</i> (album) 1984 studio album by The Judds

Why Not Me is the first studio album by American country music duo The Judds. It was released on October 15, 1984 by RCA Nashville and was produced by Brent Maher. Why Not Me was recorded in a traditional acoustic format using only a handful of musicians. It contained a collection of ten tracks, including their previously released single, "Mama He's Crazy." It also included three singles that would become number one hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive."

The Judds discography

The discography of American country music duo, The Judds, includes six studio albums, three live albums, 17 compilation albums, five video albums, two extended plays, one box set, five music videos, 28 singles and 1 album appearance. The duo consisted of mother, Naomi Judd, and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. The pair signed a recording contract with RCA Nashville in 1983. Later that year, their debut single was released called "Had a Dream ". Their next release, "Mama He's Crazy", became their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song's success led to the release of their debut EP in 1984. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. In October 1984, their debut studio album was released entitled Why Not Me. It peaked at number one on the country albums chart and number 71 on the Billboard 200. Why Not Me would sell over two million copies. It also spawned three number one country hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive".

Wynonna Judd discography

The discography of American country music artist Wynonna Judd contains nine studio albums, four compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one extended play (EP), 43 singles, 11 music videos and one other-charting song. She achieved success as one half of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds. In 1991, the duo split and Wynonna signed a solo recording contract with MCA Records that year. In March 1992, her debut studio album entitled Wynonna reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200. The album spawned three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "She Is His Only Need," "I Saw the Light" and "No One Else on Earth." The album also sold over five million copies. In 1993, it was followed by Tell Me Why, which certified platinum in the United States. It also topped the country albums chart and reached number five on the Billboard 200 It spawned five more top ten country hits, including the title track and "Rock Bottom."

<i>Rockin with the Rhythm</i> 1985 studio album by The Judds

Rockin' with the Rhythm is the second studio album released by RCA Nashville in 1985 by the American country music duo The Judds. It features the singles "Have Mercy," "Grandpa ," "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" and "Cry Myself to Sleep"; all four singles reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<i>Wynonna & Naomi</i> 1984 EP by The Judds

Wynonna & Naomi is the first extended play by American country duo The Judds. It was released in January 1984 by RCA Records and was produced by Brent Maher. It was the duo's first album release in their career and would be followed later in the year by their first full-length album, Why Not Me. The album was part of a "mini-album" marketing strategy designed by RCA to promote up-and-coming acts on their roster.

Let Me Tell You About Love 1989 single by The Judds

"Let Me Tell You About Love" is a song written by Carl Perkins, Paul Kennerley and Brent Maher, and recorded by American country music duo The Judds. It was released in June 1989 as the second single from the album River of Time. The song was The Judds' fourteenth and final number one on the country chart. The RCA/Curb single, 8947-7-R, b/w "Water of Love", went to number one for one week and spent a total of fifteen weeks on the country chart. The record also reached number one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

"I Will Stand by You" is a song written by Steven Lee Olsen and Robert Ellis Orrall. It was recorded by Canadian country group High Valley and released as the lead single to the group's second self-titled album in early 2010. The song reached the top 20 of the Billboard Canada Country chart. The song was also recorded by American country duo The Judds and released as a single in September 2010. The song was the only single released off of the 2011 compilation album, I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection.

<i>The Judds in Concert</i> 1995 live album by The Judds

The Judds in Concert is the first live album by American country duo, The Judds. It was released on August 29, 1995 via Curb Records and RCA Nashville. It was produced by Steve Lindsey. In Concert was the first live studio offering by the duo in their career. A second live release would follow in 2000. The album was one of several released during the 1990s following the duo's departure in 1991.

<i>The Judds Reunion Live</i> 2000 live album by The Judds

The Judds Reunion Live is the second live album by American country duo The Judds. It was released on May 9, 2000, in conjunction with Curb Records and Mercury Records. It was produced by Larry Strickland and contained a total of 23 tracks. Reunion Live was the duo's second live effort issued in their career and their first album as a duo in almost ten years.

<i>Collectors Series</i> (The Judds album) 1990 compilation album by The Judds

Collector's Series is a compilation album by American country duo The Judds. It was released in 1990 via Curb Records and RCA Nashville. It was produced by Brent Maher and consisted of eight tracks of previously-recorded material. The album was part of RCA's "Collector's Series" compilations, which had also been released by several artists.

<i>From the Heart: 15 Career Classics</i> 1992 compilation album by The Judds

From the Heart: 15 Career Classics is a compilation album by American country duo The Judds. It was released in 1992 by the Curb and RCA Nashville labels. The album was co-produced by Brent Maher, Norman Miller and Paul White. From the Heart was the duo's first album exclusively released for the Canadian market. It contained a total of 15 tracks and reached Canadian record chart positions following its release.

<i>Christmas with The Judds and Alabama</i> 1994 compilation album by The Judds and Alabama

Christmas with The Judds and Alabama is a compilation album by American country duo The Judds and American country band Alabama. It was released on August 16, 1994, by RCA Nashville. The album was a collection of previously-released Christmas music from both artists. It consisted of eight tracks and charted on the Billboard country survey.

<i>Reflections</i> (The Judds album) 1994 compilation album by The Judds

Reflections is a compilation album by American country duo The Judds. It was released on August 16, 1994 via Curb and RCA Nashville. It was mostly produced by Brent Maher, but also included some assistance from Don Potter. Reflections was The Judds's sixth compilation release in their career and among several to reach a charting position on a Billboard survey.

<i>Number One Hits</i> (The Judds album) 1994 compilation album by The Judds

Number One Hits is a compilation album by American country music duo The Judds. It was released on October 25, 1994 on the Curb and RCA Nashville labels. The album contained music produced by Brent Maher and Don Potter. Number One Hits was the eleventh compilation released in The Judds's discography. It contained 12 of their number one hits on the country charts during the 1980s. The album itself also reached major chart positions and sales certifications.

<i>Great Video Hits of The Judds</i> 1990 video by The Judds

Great Video Hits of The Judds is a video album by American country music duo The Judds. It was released in 1990 by RCA Nashville. It was the duo's second video album released in their career and their second to sell over 500,000 copies in the United States. The album contained the duo's music videos released from the RCA label.

<i>Christmas in My Home Town</i> 1970 studio album by Charley Pride

Christmas in My Home Town is a studio album by American country artist Charley Pride. It was released in November 1970 via RCA Victor Records and was produced by Jack Clement. The album was Pride's first collection of holiday music and his ninth studio recording, overall. The project originally contained ten tracks in its initial release, but was re-released with additional tracks in 2013. Christmas in My Home Town received positive reviews from critics following its release.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Phares, Heather. "Christmas Time with The Judds: The Judds: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Judds, The (November 1987). "Christmas Time with The Judds (Album Information & Liner Notes)". Curb Records/RCA Records .
  3. Huey, Steve. "The Judds: Biography & History". Allmusic . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  4. Crawford, Gabe. "'Christmas Time with The Judds': A Reminder". Nashville Noise. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  5. "Classic Album Review – Christmas Time With The Judds". Ultimate Twang. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  6. "Christmas Time with The Judds chart history (1987)". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  7. "Christmas Time with The Judds chart history (1988)". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  8. "Christmas Time with The Judds chart history (Holiday albums 1)". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  9. "Christmas Time with The Judds chart history (Holiday Albums 2)". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   0-89820-177-2.
  11. ""Silver Bells" chart history (1998)". Billboard . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "The Judds Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "The Judds Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  14. "Canadian album certifications – The Judds – Christmas with The Judds". Music Canada . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  15. "American album certifications – The Judds – Christmas Time with The Judds". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  16. "The Judds – Christmas Time with The Judds". Amazon . Retrieved August 29, 2020.