The Stonemans - A Stoneman Christmas


I finally found a copy of this amazing album when it came up on eBay earlier this year - a DJ promo copy no less with an obnoxious sticker tattooed to the front cover.

The Stoneman Family (or the Stonemans) ranked among country music's most famous family bands, and were closely associated with their legendary father, Ernest "Pop" Stoneman, who played with them for a number of years. The core of the band was made up of six of Pop's thirteen children: Patsy, Scotty, Donna, Jimmy, Roni and Van.

It's a great mix of country, bluegrass, and gospel - very folksy and all Christmas. There are some great covers but the original songs are just as good - how can a song entitled "Santa Played The Autoharp" NOT be good?

Most Christmas albums are recorded in the summer for a December release. However, Pop Stoneman died on June 14, 1968. - which makes the final track very bittersweet.

Entitled "Christmas Without Dad", in any other context, this song would lend itself to derision and some snickering. Knowing about Pop's death, I dare you to listen and not to shed tears.


The Stonemans - A Stoneman Christmas


Happy listening...


Capt

Comments

Sanity Clause said…
Outstanding share, cap'n. Thanks.
12/19/2008 02:10:00 AM
Anonymous said…
O Captain, my Captain!
Great album! And an addition to my "Christmas Time's A-Coming" collection! I'd never run across this version anywhere before.
12/20/2008 02:36:00 PM
CaptainOT said…
Sanity - It's a great listen even if you're not a huge country fan. Some definite toe-tappers on this one!

Chris in Cary - "Christmas Time's A-Coming" is a foolproof Christmas song - you'll have to try real hard to screw it up.


Capt
12/22/2008 02:54:00 PM
Anonymous said…
The link is dead (10/2011) -- any chance of a re-up? Thanks.
10/24/2011 01:15:00 PM
Anonymous said…
The link is dead -- any chance you could re-upload it? Thank you.
11/15/2011 12:41:00 PM
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