Bob Dylan has never attempted to conform to the expectations placed upon him. As the golden boy of the Greenwich Village folk scene, his shift to electric rock 'n' roll generated a fair share of controversy, part of a series of unexpected turns and stylistic experiments from the enigmatic songwriting legend. This journey has resulted in a significant body of impactful work, some of which unfortunately remains overlooked, such as his 2009 holiday album ‘Christmas In The Heart’.
Released under his Jack Frost alias, this album is filled with the joy of Christmas and embodies the spirit of the season. However, upon its release, ‘Christmas In The Heart’ bewildered many; Dylan had just enjoyed global success with ‘Together Through Life’, a highlight of his remarkable post-‘Time Out Of Mind’ phase. Critics and fans were uncertain about the festive record, with some thinking it might be an elaborate hoax by the songwriter.
At its essence, though, ‘Christmas In The Heart’ resonates because of its earnestness. It serves as a wholesome and sincere tribute to holiday music, fitting into Dylan's continuous exploration of pre-rock ‘n’ roll songwriting—similar to his 2015 tribute to crooners, ‘Shadows In The Night’.
The arrangements are beautiful—never overwhelming, yet respectful of the songs through their musicality. ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’ radiates joy, while ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ is fueled by a palpable sense of wonder. ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is exquisite, revitalizing a often-covered classic, and the lap steel segments in ‘Christmas Island’ create a truly immersive atmosphere.
The carols are also crafted with great care. The topic of Dylan’s faith and spiritual beliefs—having been raised in a Jewish household and converting to Christianity in the late '70s—lingers subtly in the background, but ultimately, he is simply engaging with remarkable songs. ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’ is beautifully simple, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ is heartbreakingly lovely, and ‘The First Noel’—enhanced by a choir—glimmers with frosty winter nostalgia.
In a conversation with Bill Flanagan, Dylan highlighted the genuine approach he took during those recording sessions. “There wasn’t any other way to play it. These songs are part of my life, just like folk songs. You have to play them straight too.”
Unlike some of the more commercially popular winter classics that circulate on streaming services year after year, there is a wealth of depth to explore on ‘Christmas In The Heart’. By faithfully interpreting the songs, Dylan reveals the inherent romance of the season.
Perhaps this authenticity was overwhelming for contemporary audiences. Responding to the skeptics, Dylan remarked: “Critics like that are on the outside looking in. They are definitely not fans or the audience I perform for. They have no instinctual understanding of me and my work, what I can and can’t do—the extent of it all. Even at this stage, they still don’t know what to think of me.”
From the greeting card cover to its final melodies, ‘Christmas In The Heart’ is resolutely old-fashioned, offering a glimpse into the sounds that must have surrounded Bob Dylan in his childhood. Or maybe the playful video for ‘Must Be Santa’ misled people about the album’s essence. Regardless of the reasons, ‘Christmas In The Heart’ is an essential listen for this festive season and beyond.
Words: Robin Murray
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Bob Dylan has never attempted to meet the expectations placed upon him. The golden child of the Greenwich Village folk scene, his shift to electric rock ‘n’