Sunday night the wife and I went to a Mannheim Steamroller live Christmas concert in Orange County, CA. Their highly stylized versions of classical Christmas music may or may not be to your liking but the concert itself was truly excellent. The very upbeat and high energy musical adaptations, the individual musical talent (especially of their phenomenal drummer), the videography, the lighting, the sound system, and the showmanship were all first class.

Now that Thanksgiving is over and I'm "officially" ready for the Christmas season, it was a really great way to get into the Holiday spirit. If you get a chance, I highly recommend attending a concert in person - it's so much more than simply listening to an album.

Allow me to convey a very early but heartfelt wish for all of our forum members to have a truly wonderful Christmas season!

I have always been a big fan of Mannheim Steamroller' Christmas music...it's pretty much the official Christmas music at my house ...

This is one of my favorites...during Advent, when we sing it...I softly sing it in Latin (I've heard it so much over the years I've memorized it )...you don't hear much Latin in a southern LCMS Church




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/YMe0Fi8OqE8

I went to their concert here in town on Black Friday. It was good, except one of the drummers was a little too enthusiastic - read, LOUD - and sometimes completely overwhelmed the other instruments. The nuances of a live performance without the benefit of after-the-fact studio mixing. Still a great show, though.

I've always been a big fan and not just the Christmas stuff either, the Fresh Aire albums are pretty cool too if you are into that sound.

I saw them in Philly for Christmas maybe 9-10 years ago and it was pretty impressive.

The sound is very unique and have you ever noticed that it seems to go back and forth from Medieval-sounding Christmas tunes of 1355 and futuristic sounding stuff like what I would imagine Christmas music of the year 2355 would sound like.

A fan since the early 80's. Never saw them perform though.

How very '80s.

I like them, but they are sort of a one trick pony and a little over the top.

Have seen them several times, always enjoy them. They will be here in a few weeks.

Have been a fan since the first Fresh Aire album. Have seen three of their Christmas concerts (they also play some of their non holiday music) and it's a great time.

Always love listening to their Christmas Day special when I have to work.
I'll be enjoying it this year.

quote:

Have been a fan since the first Fresh Aire album.

Same here.

Up until,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePANWFo8ZZ0

Got several of their CD's and mp3's on the hard drive. This is one of my all time favorites.

^^^ That's my favorite too, Cliff! Have it on HF vinyl.

Saw them perform back when i was in high school. My mom loved them too, so their music always reminds me of her and being a kid at Christmas time.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
How very '80s.

I like them, but they are sort of a one trick pony and a little over the top.

saw them live a few years ago,
sister in law is a big fan, so we took them to a show,


hope I never have to set thru that again,,

Trans Siberian Orchestra was mucho better,

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
^^^ That's my favorite too, Cliff! Have it on HF vinyl.

Hows that Revox holding UP?
Good for another 50 Years?

quote:

Originally posted by armored:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
^^^ That's my favorite too, Cliff! Have it on HF vinyl.

Hows that Revox holding UP?
Good for another 50 Years?

Lon, I rarely use it, though it's all hooked up. The convenience of CD's is hard to resist. I will not abandon my vinyl though! How about yours?

Still running just fine.

We have a few of their discs, "Veni Veni" is one of our favorites, also check out their song "Above the Northern Lights".