Personnel: Eddy Arnold (vocals); Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar); Kerry Marx (electric guitar); Steve Nathan, Connie Ellisor (strings); Dennis Burnside (keyboards); Dennis Belfield (bass); Greg Morrow (drums); Michael Black, Janet King, Dennis Wilson, Cindy Walker (background vocals).
Recorded at Curb Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
Like a Christmas visit from a well-loved grandparent, Eddy Arnold's 1996 album CHRISTMAS TIME was bound to receive an enthusiastic reception from the legendary performer's millions of fans. Longtime Arnold fans will find no surprises here: the middle-of-the-road arrangements, the smooth, laid-back vocals, and the traditional values that have served Arnold for half a century remain steadfastly in place throughout these 12 tracks.
Intermixed among nine Christmas standards are three newer compositions: the romantic "Put A Ribbon in Your Hair," a retelling of the nativity ("One Christmas Eve Long Ago"), and "Just Like Christmas," which asks the question "Why can't every day be just like Christmas?" Arnold's singing sometimes betrays his age (he was 78 when this album was recorded), but the effects are slight, since the material rarely challenges his range. Besides, what difference do a few cracked notes make when you're spending Christmas with Eddy Arnold? Fans will undoubtedly love this warm holiday greeting from one of country music's true giants.
