This 1966 collection finds Baez offering her interpretations of traditional carols and popular holiday songs. She is accompanied by a small ensemble, including the jazz musician/arranger Earl Hines.
- The album was recorded in New York City in sessions spanning July and August 1966. It reached number 15 on Billboard's Holiday Albums chart. The arrangements by Earl Hines feature prominent organ and brass, a departure from Baez's typical acoustic backing.
- This album marked Baez’s first release of new material in over a year, following the covers-heavy "Farewell, Angelina." It was also her first album not to feature her own songwriting. The album was reissued on CD in 2009 with bonus tracks.
- Baez had recently concluded a highly successful European tour before entering the studio for these sessions. Noel was released between her politically charged "Joan Baez in Vietnam" and her more personal, introspective album "Any Day Now."
Joan Baez is an American folk singer-songwriter known for her ballads and protest songs. At the time of this release, she was a leading figure in the American folk music revival.
Tracklist
