New Carols For Christmas -Rod Mckuen Christmas

Originally released in 1971 on Rod McKuens own Stanyan label, and available on CD for only a brief time in the mid-90s, New Carols of ChristmasThe Rod McKuen Christmas Album offers the poet/singer/songwriters trademark blend of spoken word and song, with songwriting assistance from Rods long-time artistic partner Anita Kerr on three of the tracks (The New Christy Minstrels Art Podell and electronic music pioneer Mort Garson are his other collaborators). Recorded save for one track on December 6, 1970 at Chappel Studios in London, and featuring members of The Westminster Symphony Orchestra, New Carols offers such highlights as Bethlehem B.C., which begins with a spoken word interlude followed by a really beautiful instrumental passage; So My Sheep May Safely Graze,which tells the story of the birth of the Good Shepherd; and the upbeat, uplifting Here He Comes Again.