Joy to the World (Connie Smith album)
Joy to the World | ||||
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Ray Baker | ||||
Connie Smith chronology | ||||
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Joy to the World is the twenty-sixth solo
Background
In the 1970s, Connie Smith moved from RCA Victor to Columbia Records after 18 top ten Billboard country singles. She had discovered Christianity during this period, which prompted Columbia to let her record one gospel album per year.[3][4][5] Despite the contract terms, the only gospel collection released was 1973's God Is Abundant. No gospel collection was issued by Columbia in 1974 due to the label's lack of interest and Smith's unexpected time devoted to her pregnancy. Columbia instead issued two gospel albums of Smith's material in 1975, beginning in May with Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel. It would be followed by her first Christmas album, which would be titled Joy to the World.[6]
Smith had wanted to record a religious set of Christmas material for several years. In her initial contract with Columbia, executive Clive Davis noted that Smith would have the opportunity to record one Christmas collection.[7] According to biographer Barry Mazor, Smith "was not pressured" into cutting pop Christmas tunes. "I wanted a real Christmas album, about the real Christmas. And I wanted the old songs," Smith said. "I can't say I did this for mama, but I knew she would love it!"[6]
Recording and content
Smith recorded Joy to the World one year prior to the album's release. The album was cut over three sessions at Columbia Studio B, located in
A total of ten tracks comprised the original collection.
Release and reception
Joy to the World was originally released by Columbia Records in October 1975. It was originally distributed as a
Track listings
Vinyl version
2:19 |
Traditional | 3:18 | ||
5. | "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" | Traditional | 2:33 |
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Compact disc and digital versions
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "What Child Is This?" | Traditional | 3:38 |
2. | "O Holy Night" | Traditional | 3:41 |
3. | "Go Tell It on the Mountain" | Traditional | 2:30 |
4. | "The First Noel" | Traditional | 2:30 |
5. | "Little Drummer Boy" |
| 2:23 |
6. | "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" | MacGimsey | 3:47 |
7. | "Away in a Manger"/"Silent Night" (medley) | Traditional | 4:01 |
8. | "Joy to the World" | Traditional | 2:06 |
9. | "O Come All Ye Faithful" | Traditional | 3:21 |
10. | "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" | Traditional | 2:36 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
11. | "Silent Night, Holy Night" (duet with Willie Nelson) | 4:00 |
Personnel
All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Joy to the World[10] and the biography booklet by Barry Mazor titled The Latest Shade of Blue.[9]
Musical personnel
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Technical personnel
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Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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North America | October 1975 | Vinyl | Columbia Records | [10] |
November 3, 2017 |
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Real Gone Music | [13][14] |
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b c "Joy to the World: Connie Smith: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ a b "CBS Christmas Announcement & New Tape Releases". Billboard. Vol. 87, no. 37. September 13, 1975. p. 8-66. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ Mazor 2021, p. 11.
- ^ Bush, John. "Connie Smith: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ a b c d Mazor 2021, p. 43.
- ^ Mazor 2021, pp. 11–43.
- ^ Mazor 2021, pp. 55–57.
- ^ a b Mazor 2021, p. 57.
- ^ a b c d e f Smith, Connie (October 1975). "Joy to the World (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". Columbia Records. C-33553.
- ^ a b Mazor 2021, p. 23.
- ^ Mazor 2021, pp. 22–23.
- ^ a b c Smith, Connie (November 3, 2017). "Joy to the World (CD Liner Notes and Album Information)". Real Gone Music. RGM-0644.
- ^ a b c "Joy to the World (Expanded Edition) by Connie Smith". Apple Music. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
Books
- Mazor, Barry (November 5, 2021). The Latest Shade of Blue: The Columbia Recordings 1973 – 1976 (Box Set Biography). Bear Family Records. BCD-17609.