Search - California Raisins :: Xmas With California Raisins

Time For A Re-Release

07/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the 1980's when the California Raisin Growers' Association commissioned the folks at Claymation to come up with an animated commercial for use on television, little did they know it would blossom into a commercial hit.



In short order Ross Vannelli, brother of Gino and also producer for Earth, Wind & Fire and Howard Hewett, brought a studio group together consisting of drummer and lead vocalist Buddy Miles and vocalists Alfie Silas and Niki Haris, and in early 1988 their rendition of I Heard It Through The Grapevine had cracked into the Billboard Pop Hot 100, finishing at # 84 on Priority 9719, an L.A. label formed in 1985 by Bryan Turner, Mark Cerami and Steve Drath, all formerly with K-Tel.



Although that would be their only charted single, Priority then released the album Christmas With The California Raisins later that year on Priority 7923, and it scored at # 27 on album charts, offering up some standard Christmas tunes along with two, It's Christmas Time Again and Happy Christmas, that you don't get to hear too often.



It's my understanding that Priority still functions as part of EMI, dealing mainly with Hip-Hop, so it would be nice to see this re-released this year to not only bring the delights of The California Raisins to a whole new generation, but also to bring those used prices down to earth!"

Still Loving It!!

hughesgirl | amarilo, tx | 12/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am 27 and every year I look forward to hearing this CD. I listened to it growing up and now my children will grow up to it. It's fun to dance to and puts you in a good mood. It's a little dorky but it's still a classic."

This Is Simply Awesome!!

Phillip N. Thomas | Roseville, OH United States | 12/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Christmas with the California Raisins was given to me shortly after its release in 1988. Since that time I have recently lost my copy. Hands down this is the best Christmas album I have heard in years. There is just something about it that puts you in the holiday spirit even if you are feeling like a "Scrooge". If you can find a copy of this on cd or cassette, please do yourself a favor and get it. You will not be disapointed."