Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: NOT the same-old same old
Comment: The Christmas CD is a breath of fresh air, as its name implies. Though there is a track that is what some would call "traditional Mannheim Steamroller", most of the tracks - if heard "blind" - would not be linked to the artist. There are Renaissance, Gregorian chant, and you-name-it stylings. One waits with anticipation for the next track as the current one ends. For one arranger/conductor to achieve such variety (with quality) is amazing. I mean, there is similarity in styling with Montovani, Arthur Fiedler, Ray Conniff, Ferrante & Teicher, Frank Mills, 101 Strings, etc. These are great styles, don't get me wrong, but usually one knows what to expect before listening to a new album. This is fine, and does help a person avoid styles they don't like and/or choose styles they are confident they will like when buying a new album.
But Chip Davis is unique: one knows it will be quality music, but it won't be cookie-cutter styling or even nuances of similar stylings. No, Chip Davis considers each piece on its own and decides what treatment best suits the melody, meaning, and even the era in which it was written. He is a comfortable with Gregorian chant as with Bach or the driving, uplifting beat of a "Mannheim Steamroller" arrangement. There is nothing cheap or simplistic; there are no travesties of the composer's/writer's intent. What a rare achievement this is!
I appreciated that the liner notes by Chip Davis are descriptions of the styles used on each piece and the reasons for each choice. He obviously respects and appreciates his listeners, and desires them to be drawn into the music in a deeper way than most arrangers/conductors. This isn't dry, boring notes, but a journey with him as each track is developed. I really appreciated this, and it helped me enjoy the album even more.
Finally, the choices all "go together" well. These are classic carols that have stood the test of time (with one exception, but it has a similar "feel" so fits in well). I highly recommend this album.
Customer Rating: Summary: Absolutely the Best Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD!
Comment: There have been many Manheim Steamroller Christmas CDs over the years, at least seven that I know of. "Fresh Aire Christmas" was the second I believe, and in my opinion far and away the best. It's not that the other CDs weren't good, they were. But this collection is exceptional. From the opening fanfare of "Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing" to the last beautiful notes of "O Holy Night" there is not one bad song here.
But what makes this CD great is how the music flows together. If you sit back and close your eyes you can almost imagine you are at a concert. The range of musical styles varies from piece to piece, including upbeat songs like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" & "Carol of the Bells" to the soft and beautiful "Veni Veni" & "Greensleeves." But my favorite here is "O Holy Night." It is by far the best instrumental version I have ever listened to, and better than most vocal arrangements.
I would highly recommend this to any one looking for a wonderful musical experience, not just for Christmas but for something that could be listened to all year round.
Customer Rating: Summary: Mannheim's Finest Hour
Comment: This, for me, is the quintessential Christmas album, and easily Mannheim's best. It just captures every mood of Christmas perfectly-- from joyful to majestic to wisftul nostalgia (some tracks, such as "Greensleeves" and "O Holy Night" are genuine tear jerkers, yet truly beautiful at the same time.)
There really isn't a bad track on this CD. Chip has always blended synths with "real" instruments, but I think he found the perfect balance on this album, and despite the album's age (released in 1988), it doesn't sound terribly dated today, unlike a lot of other synth-heavy music from that time period (including even Chip's own "Christmas" album from 1984.)
If you haven't yet tried any of Mannheim's Christmas albums, and you're looking for a place to start, go with this one. Their original release ("Christmas", from 1984) is also great, and definitely a classic, but this album takes everything that worked on "Christmas" and refines it to perfection, making it one of those rare cases in which the sequel outdoes the original.
I just wish Chip would go back and really listen to this album again to find out why the name "Mannheim Steamroller" became synonymous with Christmas. This is the one where it all comes together perfectly, and regrettably, he's never quite been able to capture this same level of magic again.
Customer Rating: Summary: Mannheim Steamroller Classic
Comment: We really enjoy a different take on Christmas carols once in a while, and this is certainly right up there with their other Christmas music. A couple of people have told me they like the fact that the carols are so unusual, which is why I love this album!
Being different is their classification, and, they do it well in all their albums. A mixture of old and new sounds with electronic and classical instruments for our enjoyment, they take you to a dreamy area in your mind.
Their music is fun, we've been to their concerts and this just adds to our enjoyment of the season.
