Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23246 in Digital Music Album
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Released on: 2005-11-01
• Running time: 2599 seconds

Customer Reviews

Another Mannheim Steamroller Fan
Well to start I can't possibly beat what the music fan from St. Louis said, this is a great CD, possibly Mannheim Steamrollers best Christmas CD. You can't go wrong with any of their Chrismas CDs. What is well said by the earlier fan is that it is unique. So much Christmas music has been pumped out that it starts to run together after you hear it enough. Don't get me wrong I'll always love hearing Nat King Cole croon about "chestnuts roasting on an open fire...". I started listening to Mannheim Steamroller in 1982 when I heard Fresh Aire III played in a music store. I have been a fan since. When they started releasing Christmas albums I recommended them to all my friends and family because they had appeal for anyone of any age group. If you don't have any of their Christmas CDs try this one for sure. And if you don't have this Mannheim CD, get it!

Lots of great tunes
Mannheim Steamroller is the brainchild of Chip Davis, and is a fusion of classic music with high-tech pop. Mannheim Steamroller burst on the scene in 1974, with their Fresh Aire album. This album came out in 1995, and is a good, solid addition to their collection. Having such classics as Joy to the World and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, it is pleasant to listen to, with their rendition of Joy being a new Christmas classic.

Now, some can argue as to which album of Mannheim Steamroller is better. As for myself, I thought that their 1984 Christmas album was the best. But, that said, this is a very nice Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album, with lots of great tunes. It makes for nice, relaxing mood music, and goes along excellently as background music for a party. My family and I love this album, and do not hesitate to recommend it to you.

Christmas is in the Aire!
I seem to write pretty good reviews if I talk about the album track-by-track so here goes:

1. Joy to the World: One of the most upbeat adaptations of this great song! This version will lift your spirits and warm your soul.

2. Joseph Dear Oh Joseph Mine: A relaxing track with a great flute solo.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Not perfect, but it's pretty good rendition and kids will like it.

4. Herbei, oh ihr Glaubigen (O Come All Ye Faithful): Beautiful melodious version which includes the superb Bielefelder Kinderchor of Germany. Definitley one of the reasons to buy this CD.

5. Pat A Pan: Another flute passage, the longest track, and generally pretty good.

6. O' Little Town of Bethlehem: Nice version of the traditional song. Perfect for getting little ones to sleep (that's a compliment).

7. Angels We Have Heard On High: The best track on the album, with its upbeat trumpet passages and wonderful harmonies, this will get anyone in the Christmas mood!

8. Gagliarda: Relaxing flute track makes you think of Christmas in foreign lands many years ago. Worth listening to.

9. Los Peces en el Rio: Nice Spanish guitar intro that leads into a haunting melody that makes this song another highlight on the album.

10. Christmas Lullaby: One listen and you'll swear that this song is a traditional Christmas song. Wrong. Mannheim Steamroller creator Chip Davis wrote it.

11. Kling, Glockchen: Shortest track on the album, but just as good as "Herbei, oh ihr Glaubigen" because, once again, a children's choir takes part in it.

12. Jingle Bells: Expecting another upbeat song? Think again. This version takes the traditional song and really sloooows it down. Still very good!

In short, Mannheim Steamroller's "Christmas in the Aire" is for anyone who's a fan of Chip Davis's music, anyone that liked "Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas", or anyone that enjoys some relaxing tunes at Christmastime.