Christmas Time with the Judds is the fourth studio album by American country duo the Judds. It was released on September 29, 1987, by RCA Records. It was produced by Brent Maher. Christmas Time was the duo's first collection of Christmas music released in a full-length album. The album contained nine tracks of holiday material that would later be re-released in the following decades. Having been released 8 months after Heartland, it marked the only time the duo released two albums within the same year.

Background and content Christmas Time with the Judds would be the duo's fourth studio album and first of Christmas music. By this point, the duo had become one of country music's most successful duo's, having several number one hits and three successful studio albums.

Christmas Time was recorded at the Creative Workshop, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The record was produced by Brent Maher, who had previously produced the Judds's previous three studio offerings. A total of nine tracks were included in the holiday package. Eight of the album's tracks were cover versions of well-known holiday tunes. Songs covered on the album included "Silver Bells," "Winter Wonderland," "Away in a Manger" and "O Holy Night." One new recording was offered as well. The third track, "Who Is This Babe," had not been recorded prior to the album's release. It was composed by Don Potter, who served as the duo's assistant producer on several projects.

Critical reception

Christmas Time with the Judds received mostly positive reviews following its release. Heather Phares of AllMusic praised the album's cover versions of Christmas tunes, calling them holiday favorites. In conclusion, she stated: "An enjoyable Christmas collection, and a must for fans of the Judds."

In 2018, the album was reviewed by the online publication, Nashville Noise. Writer Gabe Crawford gave the collection a positive response. Crawford called the album's remakes of holiday Christian tunes to be the record's highlights, praising "What Child Is This?" and "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem." Crawford also commented on the duo's harmony vocals, calling them "angelic." "In the rush of the Christmas season, Christmas Time With the Judds is a slow reflection and reminder of what Christmas is really about," he concluded.

Release and chart performance Christmas Time with the Judds was first released on September 29, 1987, via Curb Records and RCA Records. In its original release, it was offered in several formats: a vinyl LP, audio cassette and compact disc. The album was re-released in 1999 via Curb and Mercury Records, offered as a compact disc.

In its original 1987 release, Christmas Time peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Then, the album re-charted the same survey in 1988 and reached number 68. The package also charted on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums list. In its original release, Christmas Time peaked at number nine on the holiday albums chart in December 1987. After its 1999 re-issue, it re-charted the same list, peaking at number 36 in January 2000. The album also spawned one single release: "Silver Bells." Upon its original release in November 1987, the single did not chart any Billboard publications. Ten years later, the single made its first appearance on the Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at number 68 in January 1998.

Track listing Vinyl and cassette versions

Compact disc version

Personnel All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Christmas Time with the Judds.

Musical personnel

Eddie Bayers – drums Mark Casstevens – rhythm guitar Christ Church Choir – choir Sonny Garrish – steel guitar Naomi Judd – harmony vocals Wynonna Judd – lead vocals Middle Tennessee State University Campus School Children's Choir – children's choir Craig Nelson – bass Bobby Ogdin – piano Don Potter – guitar, rhythm guitar, hi-string guitar, autoharp, bandleader Cynthia Reynolds Wyatt – harp Gene Sisk – piano David Schnaufer – dulcimer Ricky Skaggs – fiddle Jack Williams – bass

Technical personnel Barnes and Company – album graphics Nancy Boone – choir director Landy & Joy Gardner – choir arrangement Mary Hamilton – art direction Farrell Morris – percussion Brent Maher – producer, engineering, mixing Glenn Meadows – mastering Jim McKell – engineering, mixing Mark Prior – photographer

Charts Chart (1987) Peak position Chart (1988) Peakposition Chart (2000) Peakposition

Certifications

Release history Region Date Format Label Ref. United States September 29, 1987 Vinyl Cassette Compact disc Europe Vinyl Canada RCA Records United States 1999 Compact disc October 14, 2003 Curb Records November 4, 2006 Music download

References