Changes: A Christmas Together (album)

Revision as of 04:07, August 3, 2012

Songs from	A Christmas Together
Released	1979
Format	LP
Label	RCA Records
Catalogue no.	AQL1-3451

A Christmas Together is an album of Christmas music by John Denver and the Muppets which includes many songs seen later in the TV special of the same name. According to Denver's note from the 1996 CD version, the album was recorded first and led to the TV special. Recording on the album began in Britain on June 29, 1979,^[1] and the TV special was videotaped later in the US; as a result, some of the performers and songs differ.

The original album reached #26 on Billboard's Top LP's and Tapes chart in early 1980, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Track listing

Side One

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Cast
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Rowlf the Dog and John
The Peace Carol - John, Scooter and the Cast
Christmas is Coming - Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Scooter and Robin the Frog
A Baby Just Like You - John
Deck the Halls - Cast
When the River Meets the Sea - Robin and John with the Cast

Side Two

Little Saint Nick - Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 - John
The Christmas Wish - Kermit the Frog
Medley: Alfie the Christmas Tree / Carol for a Christmas Tree / It's in Every One of Us - Cast
Silent Night, Holy Night - Cast
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Cast

Release History

1979 - Released on LP, cassette and 8-track by RCA Records. Some early LP releases are numbered AFL1-3451 on the label and sleeve, with a sticker pasted on the spine with AQL1-3451. The sleeve includes a fold-out photograph of sheet music with art by Michael Frith atop a brown grand piano at which Rowlf was sitting, and a full group photo spanning across the front and back covers.
1990 - Rereleased on CD and cassette by Windstar Records. None of the original album art is reproduced. The cover photo is replaced with a similar photo to that used on the front half of the LP version, mostly likely from the same photoshoot. The back cover and inside fold-out are not included, and so far have not reappeared on any subsequent releases.
1996 - Rereleased on CD and cassette by Laserlight Digital. This version includes an added note from John Denver.
2000 - A cutout bin edition appears, omitting tracks A2, A7, and B1.
December 20, 2005 - Windstar Records released all 13 tracks of the album for digital download via the iTunes Store.
July 25, 2006 - A new "limited collectors edition" CD was released by Laserlight featuring remastered tracks of all 13 songs.
In 2011, Urban Outfitters offered an exclusive reissue of the LP in "Kermit-green vinyl". The original gatefold is included as well as a code to redeem the album as a digital download. [1]

The Muppet Performers

Frank Oz as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and Animal
Jerry Nelson as Robin, Floyd, and Lew Zealand
Richard Hunt as Scooter, Janice, Statler, and Beaker
Dave Goelz as The Great Gonzo, Zoot, Beauregard and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf, Waldorf and Dr. Teeth
with Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire

Credits

Producer: Milton Okun
Concept by: Jim Henson and John Denver
Tracks arranged by: Hal Blaine, James Burton, Emory Gordy, Jr., Glen D. Hardin, Jim Horn, Herb Pedersen, Denny Brooks, Danny Wheetman, and John Denver
Orchestral arrangements: Lee Holdridge
Vocal arrangements & conductor: Ray Charles
Art direction and illustrations: Michael K. Frith
Photography: Nancy Moran, Donal Holway
Special thanks to: Calista Hendrickson, Kathryn Mullen, Martin Baker, Anne Gayler, and Barney Wyckoff (for tea & glee)
Recording engineer: Ed Barton
Assistant engineers: Ralph Osborn, Tchad Blake, Andrew Clarke, Andy Todd, Randy Pipes
A&R coordination: Lynne Morse
Additional art coordination: Suzanna Kotnik

Other releases

International releases

Sources

↑ "Jim Henson's Red Book" entry, 6/29/1979 – Begin recording Christmas Album with John Denver.

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