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Our Review

Mannheim Steamroller turned the holiday music scene on its head with its first and highly original release Christmas 1984. If Chip Davis had stopped with this, a comfortable retirement in Tahiti was already assured. He forged ahead, however, because the public can't get enough of his electronic interpretations. I love Davis's oeuvre, and we have played all of these things over and over at our house for many years.

What with all the clamor for more, Davis has to think of something new to say every couple of years. Christmasville takes Mannheim Steamroller into almost pop territory, with this release including a number of featured vocalists, including a nice pop interpretation of Mariah Carey's Where Are You Christmas by Josie Aiello and a swinging rendition of The Man With The Bag, a swing/scat performance by Cheryl Wilson. So, Christmasville is nothing if not a departure from earlier, mostly electronic releases.

Some fans will welcome this departure, as Davis might have been running short on traditional carols to deconstruct. His pop interpretations here are sentimental and evocative. And no worries: Chip Davis's quirky new composition Humbugs will likely become this year's novelty hit. This CD itself comes in a little short, at just over 30 minutes, but despite its brevity, this is an important release, if only because it adds to the already awesome Christmas presence of Mannheim Steamroller on the American holiday landscape.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2008)

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From the liner notes:

Performed by Mannheim Steamroller

Musicians

Chip Davis, all Mannheim Steamroller parts

Annie Roth, Concert Master, Violin

Solo Vocalists: Gene Nery Josie Aiello, Jeffrey Morrow, Cheryl Wilson

The Christmasville Singers: Robert Bowker, Josie Falbo, Judy Storey, Jeffrey Morrow

Mannheim Steamroller

Christmasville

Artist link

Track List