Percy Faith His Orchestra And Chorus – Christmas Is...Percy Faith His Orchestra And Chorus

Percy Faith His Orchestra And Chorus – Christmas Is...

Bring a touch of classic orchestral elegance to the festive season with Christmas Is..., the 1966 Christmas album by Percy Faith and His Orchestra and Chorus. A master of lush orchestral arrangements and sophisticated easy listening, Canadian-born conductor and arranger Percy Faith built an international reputation for transforming popular melodies into beautifully crafted instrumental and orchestral performances. This seasonal collection combines his polished orchestral sound with choral arrangements and a selection of much-loved Christmas standards.

Recorded in Los Angeles in August 1966 and produced by Allen Stanton, Christmas Is... captures the warmth and refinement of mid-1960s traditional pop. Faith’s arrangements draw on sweeping strings, carefully balanced orchestral textures and gentle rhythmic movement, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and timeless. The addition of a chorus on several tracks gives the album a particularly festive character, making it well suited to relaxed Christmas listening and traditional seasonal gatherings.

The title track, “Christmas Is...”, establishes the album’s affectionate, family-centred atmosphere, celebrating the memories, anticipation and familiar rituals associated with the holiday. “I'll Be Home For Christmas” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” bring a reflective, sentimental quality, while “The Little Drummer Boy” offers a more ceremonial seasonal mood. “We Need A Little Christmas”, originally from the Broadway musical Mame, adds a livelier theatrical touch to the programme.

The second side continues with a selection of enduring Christmas favourites. “White Christmas” and “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer” provide contrasting sides of the festive songbook, balancing nostalgic romance with a lighter, playful spirit. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” brings the warmth of a classic winter standard, while “Do You Hear What I Hear?” introduces a more reflective, hymn-like atmosphere. The album closes with “Happy Holiday”, a concise and cheerful finale.

Percy Faith’s musical approach makes this collection particularly appealing to listeners who enjoy traditional pop, easy listening, orchestral arrangements and vintage Christmas records. Rather than relying on novelty or modern production, the album celebrates melody, atmosphere and the enduring appeal of familiar seasonal songs. Its 1960s sound also makes it a natural choice for collectors exploring the era’s orchestral pop and classic holiday LPs.

For fans of Percy Faith, traditional Christmas music and beautifully arranged seasonal standards, Christmas Is... offers an inviting soundtrack to the festive period. Whether played during a quiet winter evening, at a family gathering or as part of a collection of vintage Christmas albums, it captures the nostalgic charm of a classic orchestral Christmas recording.

Tracklist

Side A

A1 – Christmas Is... — 3:00

A2 – I'll Be Home For Christmas — 3:57

A3 – The Little Drummer Boy — 2:59

A4 – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas — 3:00

A5 – We Need A Little Christmas — 2:08

A6 – Silver Bells — 3:17

Side B

B1 – White Christmas — 3:08

B2 – Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer — 2:23

B3 – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) — 2:43

B4 – Do You Hear What I Hear? — 2:48

B5 – Happy Holiday — 1:55