Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas 1984

Christmas 1984 is the first holiday album the Mannheim Steamroller released, and it remains their definitive work. Chip Davis never strayed from the clean, airy instrumental style that he exhibits here (and earlier perfected on his Fresh Aire albums), but it is here where it all sounded fresh. It's also where he had his best selection of songs, tackling a variety of classic carols like "Deck the Halls," "We Three Kings," "Good King Wenceslas," "Wassail, Wassail," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "I Saw Three Ships." Some listeners never found the Mannheim formula that engaging, but anyone who his been captured by one of their holiday records should investigate Christmas 1984, which is where it all began. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bill Ritchie Strings Bobby Jenkins Oboe Carol Davis Art Direction, Design, Photography Chip Davis Percussion, Dulcimer (Hammer), Producer, Drums, Soprano Dulcian, Conductor, Vocals, Bells, Crumhorn, Arranger, Recorder David Kappy French Horn David Low Cello Eric Hansen Lute, Bass Grace Granata Strings Jackson Berkey Vocals, Bells, Harpsichord, Production Assistant, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes, Clavichord, Toy Piano, Synthesizer, Piano Joe Gastwirt Mastering John Boyd Engineer, Mixing Mary Walter Harp Michael Strauss Strings Michelle Brill Strings Richard Altenbach Strings Richard Lohmann Strings Ron Cooley Guitar, Guitar (12 String), ? Ron Dabbs Bells Ron Darbs Bells Roxanne Adams Strings Steve Shipps Violin Wayne Anderson Strings Willis Ann Ross Flute