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Christmas | 
 enlarge | Artist: Mannheim Steamroller
Label: American Gramaphone
Category: Music
List Price: $12.98
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $12.97 (100%)
New (35) Used (118) Collectible (13) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 2842
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 1984
UPC: 012805198424
EAN: 0012805198424
ASIN: B0000005MT
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Tracks:
| • | Deck The Halls | | • | We Three Kings | | • | Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella | | • | Coventry Carol | | • | Good King Wenceslas | | • | Christmas Sweet: Wassail, Wassail | | • | Christmas Sweet: Carol Of The Birds | | • | Christmas Sweet: I Saw Three Ships | | • | Christmas Sweet: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen | | • | God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen | | • | Stille Nacht |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Depending on your point of view, Christmas is either a quaint sonic time capsule extracted from the mid-1980s or a timeless holiday classic. The first in what has become an ongoing series of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas recordings, this CD has sold millions, which seems to indicate that it is everything its advertising claims it to be: "America's favorite Christmas music." The powerfully successful Mannheim Steamroller formula, conceived by group mastermind Chip Davis, involves a blend of Renaissance-flavored moods and instrumentation (strings, harpsichord, flute, French horn) intertwined with polite pop instrumental music. At times, the analog synthesizers used in this 1984 recording sound dated and a little cheesy, particularly on "Deck the Halls" and "Good King Wenceslas." But it is a forgivable offense since live instruments and the earnest but ersatz medieval atmosphere they evoke dominate 8 of the 11 tracks. As pleasant and soothing as a Willard Scott birthday wish, Christmas does offer one selection that truly merits "classic" status: the reverent, prayerful, slow-motion interpretation of "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") for piano and strings that closes the album--a beautiful and heart-touching work. This selection alone makes this album worth owning. --Terry Wood
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| Customer Reviews: Read 55 more reviews...
 A Musical Christmas Spirit MUST January 29, 2008
What a wonderful, imaginative, exhilarating arrangement of traditional Christmas music!. As a musician, I've composed Christmas carols, and specially enjoy the Christmas season. This recording adds much to the festive spirit of Christmas in my home and it's the first CD I put on when it's time to play Christmas music.
fine January 28, 2008
No problems with shipment or with product CD itself.
Mannheim Steamroller rolls on! January 5, 2008
Mannheim Steamroller continues to take the traditional and make it modern without debasing the music. This time the title is simple: "Christmas." In this CD enjoy everything from "Deck the Halls" to "Stille Nacht" with modern instrumentation, but respect for music that is centuries old. "We Three Kings" is one of my all time favorite carols, although it's a mere century-and-a-half old, and this is the finest version I've ever heard. Adding to the enjoyment are the notes. For example, of "The Coventry Carol," "This carol was originally from the mid 1400's, however, the melody as it is in this version is derived from a later version in 1591." Some of the instruments used add to the charm of Steamroller, for instance: Black Oak Hammered Dulcimer, soprano Dulcian, camel bells, dry ice, clavichord, and lute.
 Frankly, only one great song - Stille Nacht December 24, 2007
Out of the 11 tracks - you will have to decide for yourself if the purchase is worth the one great track - # 13 - Stille Nacht. Most all of the other tracks sounds like a Grade 9 student's 1980 synthesizer project. Yuck. I suggest passing by this one, yet try to find this (Track 11) "Stille Nacht" elsewhere by alternate means...
 Ho Ho Hum December 13, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Here, the Steamroller lives up to their name, squashing all the fun and joy out of usually charming little Christmas carols, and, in the case of Deck the Halls, transforming it into a call-to-arms straight out of Braveheart. Every time I hear this song, I picture a million blood-thirsty vikings charging over a grassy knoll.
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