This one is my mother's favorite. I adore it too--what's not to like? The song features a banjo, that greatest of American instruments. It also has a complexity which many Christmas Carols lack.
The New Christy Minstrels spawned the likes of Barry McGuire* (Eve of Destruction), Gene Clark (The Byrds), Kim Carnes (Bette Davis Eyes), and the Kenny Rogers. The NCM belonged to that wonderful but brief period of American music between the death of Buddy Holly and the invasion of The Beatles.
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*His growling voice appears briefly at the 1 min 44 sec mark.
I remember when Kenny Rogers was part of the New Christie Minstrils.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to that poor sap.
Hard luck. First he tripped on a cloud and fell 8 miles high, then he developed a nasty gambling habit.
ReplyDeleteThe banjo is a classic American instrument and it goes well with this piece perfectly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the 'silly season' is wearing me as I get older. Is it that I'm becoming a curmudgeon?
This is one of my favorites too, from my childhood. I love the variety of the different voices. I'm also a sucker for key changes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil. Your comment cheered me greatly!
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