Mannheim Steamroller

[arwalden]

Too 'modern'? Too synthesized and too electric? Or has their unique sound managed to become an enjoyable part of your holiday experience?

Personally, I really enjoy their versions of the holiday classics. I would say that I love them... with a caveat. It's "too much" to listen to an ENTIRE CD of their music at one sitting. I enjoy hearing them in a compilation CD or in rotation on the holiday music radio stations.

How about you?

-- Allen

Mannheim Steamroller Home Page: http://www.amgram.com/flash/index.html

[Drifter]

1. I agree with you ...

I like them a lot, but moderation is the key.

Cheers
Drifter

[1monster]

2. When my son was a baby, I used to play various tapes for him,

lullabyes mostly. One day, I put in a tape of Mannheim Steamroller and he loved it. At nine months old, that kid had ways of letting me know that the Steamroller was THE tape he wanted to hear. :)

[BiggJawn]

3. Steamroller Xmas albums are good. "Fresh Aire" records suck.

I have most of the Steamroller Xmas albums, but I picked up a copy of one of the "Fresh Aire" records, F-A IV, I think, and after 10 minutes I thought I was listening to radio jingle "beds"....

Wendy Carlos meets Pepper Tanner.....

[Paragon]

4. You've heard what was done to their version of "Silent Night", right?

"Silent Night 9/11". Creepy fundies.

http://www.thefish959.com/subpage.asp?StationId=KFSH-FM&PageNo=7

[The Zanti Regent]

5. From the same idiots who gave you CW Mc Call and "CONVOY"

Yeah, Mannheim Steamroller and CW are one and the same. Besides, Rush loves 'em.

Reason enough to hate 'em!

[mitchum]

15. I've always been impressed that the guy hit a schlock twofer...

as MS AND CW McCall

[youngred]

6. I agree with you

too bad Rush does too....stopped clock and all that

[ewagner]

7. thought they were cool......until

I heard Rush playing them on his show and insinuating they were HIS favorite.

[ProudGerman]

8. you allow your tastes to be determined by others?

So what if pigboy likes them, MS can't help that. I hear Hitler was a fan of classical music, especially the marches.....:eyes:

[Ediacara]

9. AWFUL HATE THEM

Completely soulless music in minor keys that just sound like a second grader's accidental piano recital.

[Coventina]

10. I'm sick to death of them

They're ok, I guess. But everyone makes such a fuss over them and they are so overplayed that I have grown to hate them. I remember being at a Christmas party years ago and when "Silent Night" came on the whole party came to a stop and there was reverential silence until it ended. It was the first time I'd heard it. I thought it was ok, but nothing special.
:shrug:

I just don't "get" them.

[HamstersFromHell]

11. I was kinda indifferent to them....

...at first, my younger brother had FA I thru IV at the time, and I had made a cassette of FA II to take along on a road trip.

I popped it in while driving up US 441 through the Smokies, starting at the Visitor's Center and ending somewhere around the turnoff for Clingman's Dome. Note that this was in October, and the "theme" of FA II is Fall.

All I could say when I arrived at the top of the mountain was "OMG". The music just "fit" with everything I experienced during the drive up the mountain...the sights, smells, etc. All of my passengers (mostly younger metal head rock and rollers) were asking the rest of the weekend if I could get them a copy of "that kick ass album".

FA I - VIII are definitely "mood" albums, and you really cannot appreciate them until you are in the right time and place.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

[shimmergal]

12. What are the FA 1-VIII?

I have seveeral of their Christmas albums, and really like them, but would like to look into these too (if I can find them.)

[HamstersFromHell]

17. The FAs:

FA I - IV are the seasons:

Fresh Aire I - Spring
Fresh Aire II - Fall
Fresh Aire III - Summer
Fresh Aire IV - Winter


Others:

Fresh Aire V - A Trip to the Moon
Fresh Aire VI - Greek Mythology
Fresh Aire VII - The magical numbber 7
Fresh Aire VIII - Infinity (8 laid on it's side)

I'd also Recommend:

Yellowstone - The Music of Nature
Saving The Wildlife

Divirging a bit, another one on their label I like is "Water, Wind & Stone" by Checkfield - out of print, you may find it used somewhere.

[Lady Freedom]

13. It is November people!!!!!

Can we please keep down the happy-sappy Christmas stuff,please????!!!!!

[Beaker]

20. sorry, but it's post-thanksgiving and there's snow on the ground...

the Christmas season is ON.

[mlawson]

21. With you, Lady Freedom!!!

A LOT of us really DO NOT get into this holiday thing!! Why do those who do, always seem to assume that EVERYone does????

26 days and it's over with. 26 days and it's over with. That's not so long; I can handle it....

[Aristus]

14. I don't care for their Christmas music. 'Fresh Aire' is where it's at.

The Fresh Aire albums, especially the first three, are excellent examples of their ability to write music in a number of different classical styles. I think they're terrific.

[Systematic Chaos]

16. I have Fresh Aire I

And I just love it. I also have the song book for piano for the album but I never seem to get in front of the keyboard to learn how to play it. Shame on me.

[Archae]

18. BIG Mannheim Steamroller fan here!

I love MS music.

Christmas, the Fresh Aire albums, the works.

I have almost all of them on tape or CD.

My favorites are "Fresh Aire Christmas," (the second Christmas one,) and Fresh Aire 5.

[Beaker]

19. Rush Limbaugh's FAVOURITE music...

he pushes them HEAVILY every year at Christmas...ergo, I can't bring myself to give them a fair hearing...I'll have to stick with Eno.