(Review from allmusic)

When Joan Baez began recording and performing during the late 50s and early 60s, she carved out a niche for herself as a remarkable singer of traditional music. In 1966 she released Noel, an album of seasonal songs notable for its variety and the fact that she sung two selections in German.

One would expect to see “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Deck the Halls” but Baez adds lesser-known gems like “Ave Maria” and “Coventry Carol”, along with instrumental versions of “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” and “Adeste Fideles”.

The arrangements, while not unusual for a Christmas album, were something new for a Baez album. Lutes, violas, harpsichord, strings, and wind instruments provide a classical setting for Baez’s lovely soprano. In this setting, her voice becomes more formal and mannered.

Baez’s fans will probably be split on the quality of the album. Fans of her early traditional albums will find these arrangements and stylized vocals miles away from folk music; fans of Baez’s pure soprano who never concerned themselves with genre purity will find Noel a must-have album.

Track List:
01. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (French traditional, sung in English) – 3:01
02. Coventry Carol (English traditional) – 1:59
03. Good King Wenceslas (English traditional, instrumental) – 0:26
04. The Little Drummer Boy (Davis, Onorati, Simeone) – 3:02
05. I Wonder As I Wander (John Jacob Niles) – 3:52
06. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (instrumental) – 0:38
07. Down In Yon Forrest (English traditional) – 1:40
08. The Carol of the Birds (Catalan traditional, dedicated to Pablo Casals) – 3:31
09. Angels We Have Heard On High (French traditional, instrumental) – 1:20
10. Ave Maria (Franz Schubert, sung in German) – 4:05
11. Mary’s Wandering (German traditional, sung in German) – 3:17
12. Deck the Halls (Welsh traditional, instrumental) – 0:20
13. Away in a Manger (Martin Luther, sung in English) – 1:54
14. Adeste Fidelis (Latin traditional, instrumental) – 0:49
15. Cantique de Noel (Adolphe Adam, sung in French) – 3:48
16. What Child Is This (English traditional) – 3:01
17. Silent Night (Franz Gruber, sung in English) – 2:25

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