Mannheim Steamroller
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From Wikipedia:
Mannheim Steamroller actually began as an alias for record producer/composer Chip Davis. Before the fame of Steamroller, Davis had been best known for creating the country music character “C.W. McCall” (of “Convoy” fame) for his friend Bill Fries. And even before Davis “made” McCall a star, he produced an unusual album of classical music performed entirely by Davis and musical collaborator Jackson Berkey, using electric bass and synthesizers. Since no major label would handle its distribution, Davis founded his own music label, American Gramaphone (a play on the classical record label Deutsche Grammophon), to release the album. The result, Fresh Aire, was released in 1975 under the pseudonym Mannheim Steamroller, in the hopes of the album being a best seller. Fresh Aire II was subsequently released in 1977 and Fresh Aire III was released in 1979.
Mannheim Steamroller quickly grew into a full band, with Davis on drums, Berkey on keyboards, and Eric Hansen on bass and lute. Berkey’s wife Almeda joined them onstage as another keyboardist. The London Symphony Orchestra appears on Fresh Aire V, Fresh Aire VI, and Fresh Aire 8.
Later, Davis collaborated with guitarist/composer Mason Williams for a remake of the 1968 instrumental “Classical Gas”, which used the original arrangement.
Mannheim Steamroller actually began as an alias for record producer/composer Chip Davis. Before the fame of Steamroller, Davis had been best known for creating the country music character “C.W. McCall” (of “Convoy” fame) for his friend Bill Fries. And even before Davis “made” McCall a star, he produced an unusual album of classical music performed entirely by Davis and musical collaborator Jackson Berkey, using electric bass and synthesizers. Since no major label would handle its distribution, Davis founded his own music label, American Gramaphone (a play on the classical record label Deutsche Grammophon), to release the album. The result, Fresh Aire, was released in 1975 under the pseudonym Mannheim Steamroller, in the hopes of the album being a best seller. Fresh Aire II was subsequently released in 1977 and Fresh Aire III was released in 1979.
Mannheim Steamroller quickly grew into a full band, with Davis on drums, Berkey on keyboards, and Eric Hansen on bass and lute. Berkey’s wife Almeda joined them onstage as another keyboardist. The London Symphony Orchestra appears on Fresh Aire V, Fresh Aire VI, and Fresh Aire 8.
Later, Davis collaborated with guitarist/composer Mason Williams for a remake of the 1968 instrumental “Classical Gas”, which used the original arrangement.
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Top Albums
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Christmas
Mannheim Steamroller
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A Fresh Aire Christmas
Mannheim Steamroller Buy- Download Album
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Fresh Aire
Mannheim Steamroller Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
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Christmas In The Aire
Mannheim Steamroller Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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MoldyBitches wrote:
How I met your mother-core
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BreakfastPills wrote:
I have four albums and none of them remotely Christmas related. Shame that's most of what they're known for.
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brittnik wrote:
FUCK YEAH
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LarryPotillo wrote:
Well it's that time to fill the house with your music and read some of Chip Davis Mail he send to me as I drink hot coco. I'm so glad I found you guys the many years ago I did.
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NightVermillion wrote:
I love this music. Not only the Christmas stuff, but the other albums too.
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heknows-santos wrote:
u---uh?
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CaMaster wrote:
Fresh Aire doesn't get as much attention as it deserves...
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rodanside wrote:
Is it not a joke?
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TheAngstyTeen wrote:
I thought this was a joke.
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doctorjmo wrote:
longevity has its place!!
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GilmoursAngst wrote:
Imah listen now.
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music-troll wrote:
AOTY every year
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epi_gee wrote:
this sucks any time of year ..why listen now?
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controlfreaq wrote:
eeeeeeeeew
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kumunik8or wrote:
They are best seen in Omaha, Nebraska, their hometown. They always play there the day after Christmas, a wonderful time. I live in OKC now, and this year they have two concerts here. I always save and splurge for up front seats. The facial expressions and little bits of nonsense they throw in is wonderful. This will be my fifth time seeing Chip and the gang in person.
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provlear wrote:
Mannheim has always been THE Christmas music. Glad to see so much of it available on here. http://www.last.fm/user/provlear/library/playlists/3lrho_christmas_on_last.fm
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LadyRavenB wrote:
Fell in love with this music when I played it in high school. Still can't get enough of it. Chip Davis is an incredible person and Mannheim Steamrollers is great any time of year.!!!
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Gabara wrote:
They are about as waspy as it gets, their Christmas albums are pure nostalgia for me.
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stairwell_ wrote:
out with the lame in with the http://www.last.fm/music/Mannheim+Steamroller/+images/38744457
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siegelandrew wrote:
lovin me some steamroller round the yuletide
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Christmas Lullaby
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Recent Activity
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Otteryd, Nherr103, musiqmike1970 and 4 other people added Mannheim Steamroller to their libraries. yesterday evening
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Nortaneous tagged Mannheim Steamroller with instrumental and electronic. Sunday morning
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jdsmith1991, nathanthoms, eric12401 and 14 other people added Mannheim Steamroller to their libraries. Saturday evening
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rfdiazpr tagged Mannheim Steamroller with ambient, classical, christmas and 2 other tags. last month
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rfdiazpr, Estelle07, BobStallman and 3 other people added Mannheim Steamroller to their libraries. last month
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Braveheart53 tagged Mannheim Steamroller with ambient and new age. last month
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Braveheart53, robertid, sojournerwolf and 1 other person added Mannheim Steamroller to their libraries. last month
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garbear1968 tagged Mannheim Steamroller with instrumental, new age and mannheim. last month
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timsalwill, Charles_Heres, ceaheart and 4 other people added Mannheim Steamroller to their libraries. last month
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fru-n-quiz wrote about Mannheim Steamroller – Above the Northern Lights in xmas pop. last month
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Christmas
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