Noël

Released in November 1966, Noël represents a significant stylistic pivot for Joan Baez. Moving away from the 'girl with a guitar' archetype that defined her early career, she collaborated with composer Peter Schickele (best known as P.D.Q. Bach) to create a sophisticated chamber-folk hybrid. The album features a 15-piece orchestra utilizing period-appropriate instrumentation like harpsichord, lute, and recorders, placing the carols in a historical, liturgical context rather than a contemporary one. The tracklist is notable for its inclusion of lesser-known traditional pieces like 'Down in Yon Forest' and 'The Carol of the Birds,' alongside staples like 'Silent Night.' Critically, the album was praised for its vocal purity and Schickele's inventive, non-clichéd arrangements. It serves as a bridge between Baez's traditional folk roots and her later explorations into more complex studio productions, while remaining one of the few holiday records to maintain a consistently somber and reverent tone throughout.