Barbra Streisand's Christmas Album: A Timeless Holiday Classic

Barbra Streisand’s Christmas album, officially titled A Christmas Album, first released in 1967, stands as one of the most enduring and emotionally resonant holiday recordings in American music history. This iconic collection of seasonal songs blends traditional carols with theatrical flair and vocal mastery, showcasing Streisand at the peak of her early artistic powers. As a definitive example of a classic Christmas album by Barbra Streisand, it has been reissued, expanded, and repackaged over the decades—most notably as Christmas Memories in 2001—yet the original release remains a cornerstone of her discography and a favorite among listeners seeking warmth, nostalgia, and vocal brilliance during the holiday season. For fans searching for a Christmas album by Barbra Streisand that captures both reverence and showmanship, this record delivers an unmatched listening experience year after year.

The Origins and Historical Context of Barbra Streisand’s First Christmas Album

Released on October 30, 1967, by Columbia Records, A Christmas Album arrived at a pivotal moment in Barbra Streisand’s career. By that time, she had already won two Grammy Awards, earned acclaim for her performances on Broadway—including her Tony-winning role in Funny Girl—and established herself as a leading voice in popular music. The late 1960s saw a surge in concept-driven holiday albums from major artists, and Streisand’s entry was eagerly anticipated. Unlike many festive records of the era that leaned heavily on cheerful arrangements and mass appeal, Streisand approached the material with dramatic sensitivity, treating each song as a miniature performance piece.

The album was recorded during a period when vinyl LPs were the dominant format, and conceptually cohesive holiday albums were becoming cultural touchstones. Artists like Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Andy Williams had set high standards, but Streisand brought something new: emotional depth, operatic phrasing, and a personal connection to the spiritual and sentimental dimensions of Christmas. Her Jewish heritage added a unique perspective—she wasn’t celebrating a religious holiday tied to her own faith, but rather interpreting its universal themes of peace, hope, and family through a humanistic lens. This nuanced approach helped broaden the album’s appeal beyond any single denomination or background.

Track-by-Track Overview and Musical Highlights

A Christmas Album features a carefully curated mix of sacred carols, secular standards, and narrative pieces. The original 1967 release included ten tracks, divided across two sides of vinyl. Below is a breakdown of key songs and their significance:

• "O Holy Night" – Often cited as the centerpiece of the album, Streisand’s rendition builds from hushed reverence to a soaring climax, demonstrating her extraordinary vocal range and control. It remains one of the most powerful versions ever recorded.
• "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" – A warm, intimate interpretation that honors Mel Tormé’s classic while adding subtle jazz inflections and emotional shading.
• "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?" – Though not explicitly a Christmas song, its inclusion reflects the broader winter holiday season and adds a romantic, wistful tone.
• "My Favorite Things" – Borrowed from The Sound of Music, this version transforms the playful original into a reflective meditation, emphasizing lyrical meaning over rhythm.
• "Silent Night" – Performed with minimal orchestration, highlighting purity of tone and devotional sincerity.
• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" – Delivered with poignant understatement, capturing the wartime-era melancholy embedded in the lyrics.

The album also includes narrated segments written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, linking songs with poetic interludes about childhood memories and seasonal wonder. These spoken-word passages enhance the storytelling quality, making the record feel more like a theatrical revue than a simple song compilation.

Reissues, Revisions, and the 2001 Christmas Memories Expansion

Over the years, A Christmas Album has undergone several re-releases and remasterings. In 1984, Columbia reissued it under the title One Voice following the success of her live television special of the same name, though the content remained largely unchanged. However, the most significant update came in 2001 with the release of Christmas Memories.

This expanded edition retained many tracks from the original 1967 album while adding six new recordings, including:

• "Grown-Up Christmas List"
• "Happy Hanukkah / I Have a Love" (a medley reflecting her Jewish identity)
• "Ave Maria" (Schubert)
• "There Is More Pretty Girls Than One"

Christmas Memories was marketed as a standalone holiday album but functioned effectively as a modern sequel to the original. While some longtime fans felt the new material lacked the cohesion of the 1967 recording, others welcomed the updated sound and deeper exploration of interfaith themes. Today, digital platforms often merge the two projects, listing them together as part of a comprehensive holiday collection.

Release Year	Title	Label	Key Features
1967	A Christmas Album	Columbia	Original 10-track LP with narrated interludes
1984	One Voice	Columbia	Reissue with same content, new artwork
2001	Christmas Memories	Columbia	New recordings + selections from 1967 album
2008	A Christmas Album (Deluxe Edition)	Sony Legacy	Remastered original + bonus tracks and liner notes

Vocal Style and Artistic Significance

What sets Barbra Streisand’s Christmas album apart is not just the song selection, but her interpretive genius. She treats each melody as a dramatic arc, using dynamics, phrasing, and tonal color to convey emotion. Her ability to shift from breathy intimacy to full-throated power—especially evident in "O Holy Night"—demonstrates a level of technical precision rare in pop vocals.

Moreover, the production, led by Robert Mersey and William Ross, balances lush orchestration with clarity, ensuring that Streisand’s voice remains front and center. Strings swell at emotional peaks, but never overwhelm. The arrangements respect the integrity of the originals while allowing room for improvisational nuances—slight tempo shifts, elongated vowels, unexpected pauses—that make each performance feel spontaneous and deeply felt.

Critics have praised the album for elevating holiday music beyond mere background noise. Rather than serving as ambient cheer, Streisand’s interpretations invite active listening. They demand attention, rewarding repeated plays with new details emerging each time.

Cultural Impact and Enduring Popularity

Though it did not achieve massive commercial success upon initial release—partly due to limited marketing and competition from other seasonal favorites—the album gradually gained a devoted following. Over time, it became a staple on classical crossover and adult contemporary radio stations during December. Its reputation grew through word-of-mouth, streaming playlists, and inclusion in “best of” holiday compilations.

Today, A Christmas Album is recognized as a benchmark in vocal holiday recordings. It appeals to multiple generations: older listeners who remember its original release, middle-aged fans who rediscovered it through later reissues, and younger audiences encountering it via digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

The album’s staying power can be attributed to several factors:

• Timeless Production: Avoiding gimmicks or trendy sounds, the recording maintains a classic aesthetic that ages gracefully.
• Emotional Authenticity: Even without personal religious affiliation, Streisand conveys genuine awe and tenderness.
• Cross-Denominational Appeal: By blending Christian carols with universal themes and later incorporating Hanukkah references, the project speaks to diverse audiences.
• Artistic Integrity: It resists commercialization, focusing on artistry rather than holiday kitsch.

How to Experience the Album Today

For those exploring a Christmas album by Barbra Streisand for the first time—or revisiting it after years—several formats are available:

• Streaming Services: Both the original A Christmas Album and Christmas Memories are accessible on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Playlists often combine tracks from both releases.
• Physical Copies: Vinyl collectors may seek out original pressings or the 2008 Deluxe Edition CD, which includes remastered audio and extensive liner notes.
• Digital Purchase: Available for download via iTunes, Google Play, and other digital retailers in high-quality formats.
• Broadcast Airplay: Some public radio stations feature the album during holiday programming, particularly around Christmas Eve.

To get the fullest experience, listen in a quiet setting with good headphones or speakers. Pay attention to the transitions between songs and narration, and appreciate how the sequencing creates a narrative journey—from anticipation to reflection to celebration.

Common Misconceptions About the Album

Several myths surround A Christmas Album. One common belief is that Streisand recorded it specifically for a TV special or film soundtrack—but in fact, it was conceived as a standalone studio project. Another misconception is that she only recorded holiday music once; in reality, she contributed additional seasonal tracks over the years, including a duet of "White Christmas" with Michael Crawford and a live version of "Jingle Bells" from her 2006 tour.

Additionally, some assume the album was immediately successful. While it charted modestly, it took decades to achieve cult status. Its influence is now greater than its initial sales figures might suggest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Barbra Streisand’s Christmas album religious?
   While it includes traditional Christian carols like "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night," the album emphasizes universal themes of peace and love. Streisand, who is Jewish, approaches the music from an artistic and emotional perspective rather than a doctrinal one.
2. What is the difference between A Christmas Album and Christmas Memories?
   The 1967 A Christmas Album contains the original recordings. Christmas Memories (2001) combines selected tracks from the original with six newly recorded songs, creating a broader holiday collection.
3. Can I find the album on vinyl?
   Yes, original pressings exist, and there have been reissues over the years. Check specialty record stores or online marketplaces like Discogs for availability.
4. Does the album include Hanukkah songs?
   The original 1967 release does not, but the 2001 Christmas Memories includes a medley titled "Happy Hanukkah / I Have a Love," acknowledging Streisand’s heritage.
5. Why is "My Favorite Things" on a Christmas album?
   Though not a holiday song per se, it has become associated with winter festivities, especially through its use in holiday-themed performances and its snowy imagery in The Sound of Music.