You may think that the holiday combo platter of Art Garfunkel (of "Simon and..." fame) and Christian singer Amy Grant would be an odd pairing for a Christmas album--especially one as "high concept" as The Animals' Christmas by Jimmy Webb. And you'd be right. It is an odd combination.
But you know what? It works. Beautifully.
The concept of the album is simple: It's the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the birth of their son, Jesus, but it's told from the perspective of the animals they encounter along the way. Mary is shocked at her pregnancy ("How can this be/I've known no man," Mary sings), but Joseph is tender, warm and determined to find lodging for his wife and child-to-be. All the while, they are pursued by Herod's centurions, who are determined to end the life of "the newborn king"--at all costs.
The animals, though--donkeys and doves and frogs alike--are just as determined to find the family lodging and, ultimately, the way to safety.
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