Years ago, I worked at The Warehouse and was Classical Music Manager for two stores. While working there, I discovered one of the most amazing music groups, Mannheim Steamroller. We played their first Christmas record, and I bought the CD. I played it with my parents, and my grandparents asked, “Who in the heck is that?” They were amazed that even Papa (Grandpa) asked me to take him to the music store in Rancho Bernardo, and he bought the same CD and then-new Fresh Aire Christmas CDs. We listened to them together so many times it drove Gramma crazy (she still liked them). Since then, Mannheim has made several more Christmas albums.
My favorite collection include:
- Christmas (1984 – Limited Green Lp | 6x Platinum)
- Deck the Halls
- We Three Kings
- Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
- Coventry Carol
- Good King Wenceslas
- Wassail, Wassail
- Carol of the Birds
- I Saw Three Ships
- God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Rock
- Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
- Fresh Aire Christmas (1988 – not available in new Lp. Discog community lists some for sale | 6x Platinum)
- Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Veni Veni (O Come O Come Emanuel)
- The Holly And The Ivy
- Little Drummer Boy
- Still Still Still
- Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming
- In Dulci Jubilo
- Greensleeves
- Carol Of The Bells
- Traditions Of Christmas
- Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night)
- Christmas In The Aire (1995 – Limited Blue Lp | 4x Platinum)
- Joy to the World
- Joseph Dear Oh Joseph Mine
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
- Herbei. Oh Ihr Glaubigen
- Pat a Pan
- O’ Little Town of Bethlehem
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Gagliarda
- Los Peces en El Rio
- Christmas Lullaby
- Kling Glockchen
- Jingle Bells
- Christmas Extraordinaire (2021 – Limited Red Lp | 3x Platinum)
- Hallelujah
- White Christmas
- Away in a Manger
- Faeries (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite)
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- The First Noel
- Silver Bells
- Fum, Fum, Fum
- Some Children See Him
- Winter Wonderland
- O Tannenbaum (Feat. Johnny Mathis)
- Auld Lang Syne
All of these albums are available in streaming format and CDs. You should know there is a collection called Mannheim Steamroller 30/40 which is a compilation of different Christmas songs as well as many of the music from their Fresh Aire series. I play the two record/CD and digital steaming throughout the year and like chocolate, I indulge in the music and it is therapeutic for me.
If you have not attended their Christmas concerts, you MUST go. I have been to several, taking my wife and son to a couple, in-laws, and my Dad. As a believer in music therapy, I took my Dad to see Mannheim Christmas in 2020, which was his first time, After I brought him home, he simply said, “Awesome music” which was hard work for him. When I went to see him, I would play the music on my iPad, and he would sit back and savor the music and smile. This year I am taking a very good friend, also her first time, in memory if Dad. I know Barbara will have an amazing experience.
Enjoy! Indulge!
Tech & Ed Coach 