The Christmas Album (Neil Diamond album)

Last updated
The Christmas Album
Neil Diamond The Christmas Album.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1992 (1992-09-22)
RecordedJanuary - August 1992
Genre Christmas
Length44:58
Label Columbia
Producer Peter Asher
Neil Diamond chronology
Lovescape
(1991)
The Christmas Album
(1992)
Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

The Christmas Album is the twentieth studio album by Neil Diamond and his first to feature Christmas music. It features orchestral and choir arrangements by David Campbell. The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, No. 50 on the UK album sales chart, and No. 30 on Australian music chart. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

In his review music critic Johnny Loftus states, "While Neil Diamond's The Christmas Album is designed almost exclusively for his adult contemporary constituency, the vocalist still manages to light up most of the obviousness of these standards with his trademark gritty soul and flair for inflection." [5]

On August 7, 2001, The Christmas Album was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA for shipment of two million copies in the United States since its 1992 release. [6] By November 2014, it was the twenty-fifth best-selling Christmas/holiday album in the United States of the SoundScan era of music sales tracking (March 1991–present), having sold 1,910,000 copies according to SoundScan. [7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."O come, O come, Emmanuel" / "We Three Kings of Orient Are"Traditional2:57
2."Silent Night" Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr 4:03
3."The Little Drummer Boy" Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone 3:58
4."Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" John Frederick Coots, Haven Gillespie 3:25
5."The Christmas Song" Mel Tormé, Robert Wells 3:33
6."Morning Has Broken" Eleanor Farjeon, Cat Stevens 3:02
7."Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" John Lennon, Yoko Ono 4:19
8."White Christmas" Irving Berlin 3:55
9."God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"Traditional1:20
10."Jingle Bell Rock"Joe Beal, Jim Boothe1:51
11."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley 2:50
12."Silver Bells" Ray Evans, Jay Livingston 3:06
13."You Make It Feel Like Christmas"Neil Diamond3:39
14."O Holy Night" Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight 3:28

Personnel

Production

Charts

Chart (1992-1993)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [8] 30
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [9] 23
UK Albums (OCC) [10] 50
US Billboard 200 [11] 8

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [12] Platinum70,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [13] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [6] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

The Christmas Album, Volume II

Related Research Articles

<i>Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album</i> 1998 studio album by Chicago

Chicago 25: The Christmas Album is the nineteenth studio album by the American band Chicago, their twenty-fifth overall, released in 1998 on the band's Chicago Records label. It is an album of Christmas songs. The album was re-issued by Rhino Records in 2003 as What's It Gonna Be, Santa? with six additional, newly recorded tracks.

<i>Home for Christmas</i> (Amy Grant album) 1992 studio album by Amy Grant

Home for Christmas is the tenth studio album by Christian music and pop music singer Amy Grant, released on October 6, 1992. It is Grant's second holiday album, the first being 1983's A Christmas Album.

<i>The Jazz Singer</i> (soundtrack) 1980 soundtrack album by Neil Diamond

The Jazz Singer is an album by Neil Diamond from 1980, which served as the soundtrack album to the 1980 remake of the film The Jazz Singer. The soundtrack was released in November 1980 originally on Capitol Records, instead of his then-usual Columbia Records, because the film was produced by EMI Films, owned by the parent company of the label for which the soundtrack was released. The soundtrack was re-released in February 1996 on Columbia Records in the United States and Sony elsewhere. After Diamond signed with Capitol Records, this album was reissued by Capitol globally in 2014.

<i>Songs</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1994 studio album by Luther Vandross

Songs is the ninth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross. It was released by Epic Records on September 20, 1994. The album, a collection of cover versions, produced the singles "Endless Love", "Always and Forever", and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". According to an interview both Vandross and Mariah Carey gave in Japan following the release of their duet "Endless Love", there was mention that Carey had given advice as to what songs Vandross would cover on this album.

<i>Christmastime</i> (Michael W. Smith album) 1998 studio album by Michael W. Smith

Christmastime is a studio album by Michael W. Smith. It was his second holiday-themed release, following 1989's Christmas.

<i>December</i> (Kenny Loggins album) 1998 studio album by Kenny Loggins

December is the tenth studio and first Christmas album by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. Released in 1998, it contains several Christmas music standards, such as "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," along with several other lesser-known holiday songs, as well as a few Loggins originals. Musicians include Peter Kater also the co-producer, Russ Kunkel, veteran Loggins and Messina reed player Jon Clarke, David Crosby and Graham Nash.

<i>Lovescape</i> 1991 studio album by Neil Diamond

Lovescape is the nineteenth studio album by the American singer Neil Diamond. Released in 1991, it peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200. "Hooked on the Memory of You" was a duet with Kim Carnes, while "Don't Turn Around" was co-written by Diane Warren. It is the last album, till 12 Songs, to credit him with playing guitar, but he may have contributed some uncredited guitar work on previous or subsequent albums.

<i>Three Chord Opera</i> 2001 studio album by Neil Diamond

Three Chord Opera is the twenty-fifth studio album by Neil Diamond, released in 2001. It marked the first album since 1974's Serenade to consist solely of original material written solely by Diamond, and the first album of any original songs since 1996's country-themed Tennessee Moon where he co-wrote all but one of the songs.

<i>Tennessee Moon</i> 1996 studio album by Neil Diamond

Tennessee Moon is the twenty-third studio album by Neil Diamond. Released in February 1996, it is the product of a collaboration with various country music songwriters and performers. A companion television special entitled Under a Tennessee Moon was aired on ABC. The album was certified gold by the RIAA.

<i>Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building</i> 1993 studio album by Neil Diamond

Up On the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building, released in 1993 on Columbia Records, is a cover album and also the twenty-first studio album by Neil Diamond. It contains a duet with Dolly Parton, string arrangements by David Campbell, along with re-makes of tracks associated with the Brill Building, where Diamond had worked in the 1960s.

<i>Christmas Wish</i> (Olivia Newton-John album) 2007 studio album by Olivia Newton-John

Christmas Wish is the twenty-second studio album by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. It is the second original album of Christmas music recorded by Newton-John after 'Tis the Season with Vince Gill, and the compilation partly from that, The Christmas Collection. It is her second album produced by Amy Sky. It features versions of classic Christmas songs and guest appearances from Barry Manilow, Jon Secada, Michael McDonald and others. In 2008, the album was re-released as a Target exclusive and included the bonus track "In the Bleak Midwinter".

<i>This Christmas, Aretha</i> 2008 studio album by Aretha Franklin

This Christmas is the first Christmas album and thirty-sixth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Produced by Franklin and Tena Clark, it was originally released on October 14, 2008, as a Borders Bookstore exclusive, consisting of eleven cover versions of Christmas standards and carols. In 2009, the album was reissued in 2009 on DMI Records. This Christmas peaked at number 102 on the US Billboard 200.

<i>Heartlight</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Neil Diamond

Heartlight is the fifteenth studio album by Neil Diamond. It was released in August 1982 on Columbia Records. The album spent 34 weeks on the charts and peaked at #9. For shipments of a million copies it was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

<i>A Cherry Cherry Christmas</i> 2009 studio album by Neil Diamond

A Cherry Cherry Christmas is the third Christmas album and also the twenty-eighth studio album by singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. The album contains five new tracks, and nine tracks compiled from his previous two Christmas albums. It was released on October 13, 2009. The title track is a new Christmas carol written by Diamond.

<i>Feels Like Home</i> (Linda Ronstadt album) 1995 studio album by Linda Ronstadt

Feels Like Home is a studio album by American singer Linda Ronstadt released in 1995. It reached #75 and lasted 12 weeks on the Billboard album chart. It received excellent critical reviews upon release. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the disc sold precisely 188,815 copies in the United States. This album is now out of print physically, although it is available digitally and five of its tracks were remixed and subsequently included on Trio II.

<i>Impressions</i> (Chris Botti album) 2012 studio album by Chris Botti

Impressions is the tenth studio album by American jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, which was released on April 17, 2012 through Columbia Records. The album debuted and peaked No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart. On February 10, 2013, the album received the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

<i>Primitive</i> (Neil Diamond album) 1984 studio album by Neil Diamond

Primitive is the sixteenth studio album by Neil Diamond. It was released in 1984 on Columbia Records. Its singles "Turn Around", "Sleep With Me Tonight", and "You Make It Feel Like Christmas" reached numbers 4, 24, and 28, respectively on the Billboard Adult Contemporary singles chart, while "Turn Around" also reached number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on October 5, 1984.

<i>The Christmas Album, Volume II</i> 1994 studio album by Neil Diamond

The Christmas Album, Volume II is the twenty-second studio album by Neil Diamond, and his second to feature Christmas music. It was produced by Peter Asher and released by Columbia Records in 1994, only two years after Diamond's previous Christmas album. It features orchestral and choir arrangements by David Campbell, who also worked on the first Christmas album, as well as several of Diamond's other works. The album reached number 9 on the Billboard Holiday Album chart and was certified as gold by the RIAA on December 6, 1994.

<i>The Spirit of Christmas</i> (Michael W. Smith album) 2014 studio album by Michael W. Smith

The Spirit of Christmas, officially titled as Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas is a duet Christmas album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith, released on September 30, 2014, through Capitol Records. This is Smith's fourth Christmas album. His previous Christmas album, It's a Wonderful Christmas, was released in 2007. The Spirit of Christmas won 2015 Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year.

<i>Artist of My Soul</i> 1997 studio album by Sandi Patty

Artist of My Soul is the eighteenth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patty, released in 1997 on Word Records. It was produced by Robbie Buchanan, whose production, arrangement and keyboardist credits include artists like Amy Grant, Whitney Houston, Rascal Flatts and Neil Diamond. The album peaked at number 3 on the Heatseekers Albums, number 7 on the Top Christian Albums and number 155 on the Top 200 Albums charts in Billboard magazine. Artist of My Soul won Inspirational Album of the Year at the 29th GMA Dove Awards.

References

  1. The Christmas Album at AllMusic
  2. Diamond, Neil. "Neil Diamond Billboard Charts". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  3. "Neil Diamond | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  4. Steffen Hung. "Discography Neil Diamond". australian-charts.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  5. Loftus, Johnny. The Christmas Album at AllMusic . Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "American album certifications – Neil Diamond – The Christmas Album". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  7. "The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Biggest Radio and Album Hits of the Holidays". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  8. "Australiancharts.com – Neil Diamond – The Christmas Album". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  9. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1834". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  10. "Neil Diamond | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  11. "Neil Diamond Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  12. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1993 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  13. "Canadian album certifications – Neil Diamond – The Christmas Album". Music Canada . Retrieved 8 March 2019.