Christmas Album

by Herb Alpert

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Herb Alpert, Bob Edmondson, Lou Pagani, Tonni Kalash, Nick Ceroli, Pat Senatore, John Pisano.

Recorded at A & M Recording Studio and Gold Star Recording Studio, Hollywood, California.

Recording information: Gold Star Recording Studio, Hollywood, California; A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (1968).

Arranger: Shorty Rogers.

Despite the sometimes syrupy background vocals (courtesy of arranger Shorty Rogers), CHRISTMAS ALBUM is a fairly straightforward Herb Alpert outing, with plenty of uptempo numbers given the Brass's good ole Mexican cantina treatment. The rub here, naturally, is that the set is full of yuletide tunes, so "Winter Wonderland," "Sleigh Ride," and even "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" come across as swinging and sunny. With the exception of "La Mananitas," the album is comprised of traditional Christmas favorites.

The combination of holiday favorites and Alpert's cheery south-of-the-border vibe works surprisingly well--which is why the album hit #1 on the Billboard chart in 1968, '69, and '70, and continues to please today. The 2005 reissue features a lengthy booklet full of notes and photographs and crisply remastered sound.