The Animals' Christmas

During the early 1980s, Jimmy Webb began writing the songs that would become ''The Animals' Christmas'', based on a children's book about the Nativity of Jesus by Anne Thaxter Eaton. Garfunkel became interested in the project because he felt it was "born out of the love of a musical person to make music." In his 1989 book, Still Water: Prose Poems, Garfunkel wrote about his experience with the project. ==Production==

''The Animals' Christmas'' was recorded between December 23, 1984, and December 12, 1985. The orchestra was recorded at CTS Studios in Wembley, England. The boys' choir was recorded at St. Paul's Church in Southfields, South-west London, England. Vocals were recorded at Air Studios in Montserrat, West Indies. Amy Grant's vocals were recorded at Bullet Recording in Nashville, Tennessee. The organ was recorded at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Overdubs were recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City. ==Packaging and artwork==

The original album contained a 12-page booklet with lyrics in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German. The album cover art was created by Abby Levine. ==Critical reception==

Writer David A. Milberg called the album "one of the best Christmas albums of the '80s." ==Track listing==

All songs were written by Jimmy Webb, except where indicated. • "The Annunciation" – 2:38 • "The Creatures of the Field" – 2:31 • "Just a Simple Little Tune" – 2:54 • "The Decree" – 3:25 • "Incredible Phat" – 4:59 • "The Friendly Beasts" (Traditional, Jimmy Webb) – 3:24 • "The Song of the Camels" (Elizabeth Coatsworth, Jimmy Webb) – 2:46 • "Word from an Old Spanish Carol" – 3:41 • "Carol of the Birds" – 2:00 • "The Frog" – 5:15 • "Herod" – 4:21 • "Wild Geese" – 3:33 == Personnel ==

Music • Art Garfunkel – vocals • Amy Grant – vocals • Jimmy Webb – acoustic piano, all arrangements • Rob Mounsey – synthesizers • Paul Halley – organ • Elliott Randall – electric guitars • Eric Weissberg – acoustic guitars, banjo • Joe Osborn – bass • Steve Gadd – drums • Gordon Gottlieb – percussion • George Young – saxophone • Peter Presser – cello • London Symphony Orchestra – orchestra • Carl Davis – orchestra conductor • Michael Jenkins – choir director • King's College School Choir – choir • Stephen Bayly – vocal solos • Del Costello – vocal solos • Nicholas Dykes – vocal solos • Jonathan Jenkins – vocal solos Production • Art Garfunkel – producer, remixing • Jimmy Webb – producer • Geoff Emerick – producer, engineer, remixing • Roy Halee – engineer • Jon Kelly – engineer • Stuart Breed – assistant engineer, remixing • Nicole Graham – remixing • Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY) • Christopher Austopchuk – art direction • Abby Levine (www.abbyart.com) – artist ==References==