Movies

EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS Finally Releases a Soundtrack Album

by Kelly Knox
Nov 3 2018 • 4:16 PM

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas may not be the most famous holiday musical — or even really famous at all. The 1977 television Christmas special from Jim Henson is now probably best known for the hilarious blooper reel, featuring Muppets performer Frank Oz, widely shared earlier this year. (Oz’s voice for Ma Otter was later replaced by the lovely voice of Marilyn Sokol, and her sweet singing is one of the highlights of the HBO special.)The Emmet Otter special itself is just as delightful and packed with personality as those outtakes. Luckily for Henson fans — and for those of us who grew up watching the short feature whenever it re-aired on TV — Ma Otter, Emmet Otter, the Frogtown Hollow Jubilee Jug Band, and even the Riverbottom Nightmare Band finally get their due with a soundtrack release just in time for the holidays. (Thanks to Consequence of Sound for the heads-up.)
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Based on the children’s book, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is the charming story of a small town mother and son who are barely scraping by. When a nearby town hosts a talent competition with a grand prize of $50, both Alice and Emmet Otter enter the contest in secret, determined to win and buy a Christmas present — for the other.The soundtrack is written by Muppets mainstay Paul Williams, who also composed songs for The Muppet Movie and The Muppet Christmas Carol. The Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas soundtrack, which even includes the bonus, unreleased song “Born In A Trunk,” is now available in physical and digital release on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iTunes.Do you have a favorite classic holiday special? (Yes, the Star Wars Holiday Special counts.) Tell us about it in the comments.

Images: Jim Henson / Disney