|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Get $1 in Amazon MP3 credit with qualifying purchase. Limited to one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Chip Davis's Mannheim Steamroller hasn't lost any ground in the six years since their last Yuletide offering. Christmas Extraordinare is another innovative and heartfelt collection of seasonal treasures played on a combination of 18th-century instruments and modern-day synthesizers, drums, and electric guitars. While not the first to marry different ages of musical instruments, Davis and his cohorts use them with imagination and an intensity that gives new life and drama to this rather inert genre. For material, Mannheim Steamroller asked their fans to choose their favorite holiday selections and vote on their Web site. The results of the poll are a fine mix of old and new--with slightly more emphasis on the modern--ranging from the bracing "Fum, Fum, Fum," a traditional Catalan carol, to Tchaikovsky's "Faeries" from The Nutcracker. Mannheim Steamroller imbues this beloved song with an almost militaristic edge, grounding it with an ominous tuba that gives the usually fey "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" an edgy tension. "Winter Wonderland" is a spectacular work, bordering on prog rock, as if Emerson, Lake & Palmer had re-formed to whip up a winter blizzard gone amok. While most of the Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas albums are largely instrumental, Davis has employed the considerable talents of University of Michigan's Glee Club to sing on "O Tannenbaum," respectfully fading their elegant, full vocals around the pristine voice of Johnny Mathis, elevating this German carol to a cinematic peak. Don't miss out on the clever liner notes, which give the reader a whimsical, anecdotal history of the 12 songs. --Jaan Uhelszki
Product Description
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having enjoyed their efforts over the years, this one is in my humble offering, the finest to date!
This is fusion music at its best--jazz, classical, folk, new age, all woven into tasteful and well thought out, produced and performed works.
The "Hallelujah" effort is breathtaking! Outset gave me reserve to tamper with such, but The Steamroller pulls it off with delight and reverence! Their renditions of "Away in A Manger" "Do You hear what I hear" and my favorite: "Faeries."
The addition of UofM Glee Club and Johnny Mathis are nice touch, which adds to the enjoyment and variety. This is just happy, relaxing, reverent updates of scores we all like to hear.
Provides nice variety to pop into the CD and place on "Scramble" mode, jumping from CD track to CD track, providing bit of every style.
Highly recommend!
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a bit perplexed over the past few weeks, reading the reviews for this year's Mannheim Steamroller Christmas cd. It seems like one really, really loved it or one didn't. While out doing my early Christmas shopping, I ran across a copy and picked it up for my Mannheim Steamroller music library. I popped it in my car's cd player as I went from one place to the next. I found this year's offerings utterly relaxing and delightful. It brought memories of the classic Christmas movies and I could actually invision Bing Crosby gliding along on skates singing along in my mind as I listened to "White Christmas".
This year's offerings are just what Chip said he was looking to do...."bring Christmas Carols back to the sound of their origins in the Reniassance". He succeeded, in my opinion, 100%. Haven't we all remembered fondly a Christmas of Yesteryear and wish just for a moment to be able to revisit that time?
...I do feel that Johnny Mathis is rather out of place in this particular recording. Mr. Mathis is a renowned singer who many would not do Christmas sounds without during their holiday season and he is talented. It's just the two sounds didn't blend too well as I found personally, it kind of jerked me out of the mellow nostalgia I was experiencing.
This is a must for any Mannheim Steamroller library and Christmas collection. Thanks Mr. Davis, I so enjoy the walk down Christmas memory lane! In this age of hustle and bustle, it is nice to find music so relaxing and nostalgic.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The only way you can not enjoy this album is if you are looking for ways not to enjoy it. The songs on this album go down easy, which is just what many of us like. I have all of the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums, and feel this one might get even more play than the older ones -- because it is so enjoyable. I honestly can't believe some of the negative reviews I read, and feel these people must have unrealistic tastes and expectations.
If you enjoy lovely holiday instrumentals, well played in light and uplifting arrangements, then you are sure to love this album.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
cd
i love this cd. it came sooner than expected. i would order again. thanks you so much whoever you are.
Published 3 months ago by Dinah S. Willard
christmas music
Just what I wanted Has the song that I was looking for and many more also that are very entertaining.
Published 4 months ago by A. Flowers
Christmas Extraordinaire
I received this DVD about 2 days after ordering. I was amazed that it came so quickly, especially during the busy holiday season. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lillikens
Great Gift.
We enjoy the music of Manheim Steamroller and was not disappointed. It was packaged great for a gift.
The packaged arrived in a very timely manner.
The packaged arrived in a very timely manner.
Published 5 months ago by JanV
Absolutely "Extraordinaire"!
This was my fourth Mannheim Steamroller purchase, at Christmas, in 2001. I had returned home from the east coast in November of 2001 after living in the northeast at the time of... Read more
Published 16 months ago by judi87110
"Doc" Wulfstans cure for Season Insanity, in three parts.
Have you ever worked retail? Then you know the level of madness that can be caused at this time of year from listening to the same old Christmas songs over and over and over and... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Wulfstan
Great CD
I had this Cd and some how misplaced it. I enjoy the music as I really enjoy all Manheim Steamroller Christmas Music.
Published on February 6, 2010 by B. D. Edens
Soothing Christmas Music
This is the most inspiring Christmas CD that I've had the pleasure of listening to. I am glad I ordered it on-line through Amazon.com. Read more
Published on January 8, 2010 by J.A. James
Manheim Steamroller Christmas Extraodinaire CD
The CD is what I expected and was delivered in excellent condition in a timely fashion.
Published on November 16, 2009 by Dolores M. Mauro
Christmas Extraordinaire
Product in excellent shape and was shipped faster than I had expected. Great service!
Published on January 14, 2009 by Karen Pach
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Music > Miscellaneous
- Music > New Age
- Music > Pop
- Music > Rock
- Music > Soundtracks
