The Magic of Christmas is a 1960 album by Nat King Cole, arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.
This was Cole's only complete album of Christmas songs, although he had recorded several holiday singles earlier in his career. One of these, "The Christmas Song", originally recorded in 1946, was re-recorded for the 1961 album The Nat King Cole Story.
It is the best-selling Christmas album released in the 1960s, and was certified by the RIAA for shipments of 6 million copies in the U.S. The album was reissued in 1962 as The Christmas Song, with the title track added as the leadoff to Side 1 and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" omitted. The 1962 version reached number 1 on Billboard Christmas Albums chart and remained for two weeks.
Track listing Original 1960 release
1962 rerelease
Notes An alternate, all-English performance of "O, Come All Ye Faithful" was recorded during the album sessions and first released in 1990 on the compilation album Cole, Christmas, & Kids. All tracks, save for "A Cradle in Bethlehem" and "Caroling, Caroling", are credited on the LP label as being adapted by Nat King Cole and Edith Bergdahl. Previously released on The Nat King Cole Story (1961)
The Christmas Song 1999 reissue
In 1999 The Magic of Christmas was reissued again under the title The Christmas Song, with several added tracks including an alternate version of "The Christmas Song" with Cole's daughter, and with new cover art. This version of the album was placed at number 38 on Rolling Stones top 65 greatest Christmas albums of all time.
Notes Previously released on Cole, Christmas, & Kids (1990).
Personnel Nat King Cole – lead vocals The Ralph Carmichael Chorus – background vocals Ralph Carmichael – arranger, conductor
Orchestra members Piano: Milton Raskin Guitar: John Collins Bass played by: Lloyd Lunham Arco Bass: Bob Stone Drums: Lee Young Percussion: John Cyr (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Ralph Hansell (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Dale Anderson Harp: Kathryn Thompson Violins: Harold Dicterow (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Dave Frisina (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Nate Kaproff (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Joe Livoti (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Emanuel Moss (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Lou Raderman (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Isadore Roman (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, James Getzoff, Alex Murray, Erno Neufield, Ralph Schaeffer, Joseph Stepansky, Jerry Vinci, Israel Baker Violas: Milt Thomas (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Alvin Dinkin (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Ray Menhennick (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Gary Nuttycombe (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Al Harshman, Louis Kievman Cellos: Dave Filerman (A3, A5, A7, B2, B6), Armand Kaproff (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Ed Lustgarten (A1-A2, A4, B1, B4), Emmett Sargeant, Joseph Saxon
On A1-A2, A4, B1, B4: Trumpet: Ray Linn, Joe Triscari, George Werth Trombone: Jim Henderson, Tommy Shepard, Lloyd Ullate Reeds: Lloyd W. Hildebrand, Jules Jacob, Harry Klee, Arthur Smith
Tracks 1, 2, 4, 8, 11,
06-July-1960 (Wednesday) - Hollywood. Capitol Tower Studio A
The Ralph Carmichael Chorus (Vocalists); Ray Linn, Joe Triscari, George Werth (tpt); James Henderson, Tom Shepard, Lloyd Ulyate (tbn); Jules Jacob, Lloyd Hildebrand, Harry Klee, Arthur Smith (wwd); Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil Briano, James Getzoff, Nathan Kaproff, Joseph Livoti, Emanuel Moss, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Ralph Schaeffer, Joe Stepansky, Gerald Vinci (vln); Allan Harshman, Louis Kievman, Ray Menhennick, Milton Thomas (via); Armand Kaproff, Edgar Lustgarten, Emmet Sargeant, Joseph Saxon (vlc); Bob Stone (arco); Kathryn Thompson (harp); Milt Raskin (p); John Collins (g); Lloyd Lunham (b); Lee Young (d); Dale Anderson, Ralph Hansell (perc); Ralph Carmichael (arr/cond).
Tracks 3, 5, 7, 9, 13,
07-July-1960 (Thursday) - Hollywood. Capitol Tower Studio A
The Ralph Carmichael Chorus (Vocalists); Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, James Getzoff, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Ralph Schaeffer, Joe Stepansky, Gerald Vinci (vln); Alvin Dinkin, Allan Harshman, Louis Kievman, Gary Nuttycombe (via); Dave Filerman, Emmet Sargeant, Joseph Saxon (vlc); Bob Stone (arco); Kathryn Thompson (harp); Milt Raskin (p); John Collins (g); Lloyd Lunham (b); Lee Young (d); Dale Anderson, John Cyr (perc); Ralph Carmichael (arr/cond).
Tracks 6, 10, 12, 14,
05-July-1960 (Tuesday) - Hollywood. Capitol Tower Studio A
The Ralph Carmichael Chorus (Vocalists); Ralph Carmichael (arr/cond).
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (1960–2025) Peakposition Australian On Replay Albums (ARIA) 18 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 30 Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn) 23 Italian Albums (FIMI) 26 Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan) 63 Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) 11 Portuguese Albums (AFP) 42
Year-end charts + Chart (2019) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 79 Chart (2020) Position US Billboard 200 187 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 71 Chart (2021) Position US Billboard 200 177 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 64 Chart (2022) Position US Billboard 200 179 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 60 Chart (2023) Position US Billboard 200 179 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 57 Chart (2024) Position US Billboard 200 179 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 51 Chart (2025) Position US Billboard 200 187 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 55
Certifications
References
External links Session details