Christmas Island (Leon Redbone album)
| Christmas Island | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Studio | Manhattan Recording Company | |||
| Genre | Jazz, Christmas music[1] | |||
| Length | 30:19 | |||
| Label | August[2] Private Music[3] | |||
| Producer | Beryl Handler, Leon Redbone | |||
| Leon Redbone chronology | ||||
| ||||
Christmas Island is an album by the musician Leon Redbone.[4][5] It was released in 1988, with a rerelease the following year.[6][7]
The title track has been mentioned in many works of fiction.[8][9][10]
Production[edit]
The album was recorded in three days.[11] Redbone picked songs that he thought would appeal to listeners who didn't usually enjoy Christmas music.[12] He duetted with Dr. John on "Frosty the Snowman".[6] "Winter Wonderland" contains a dobro solo.[13] "Christmas Ball Blues" is a version of the song made popular by Bessie Smith.[14]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [15] |
| Robert Christgau | B+[16] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [17] |
| MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide |  [18] |
| Orlando Sentinel | [7] |
Robert Christgau wrote: "Beyond sacred schlock-by-association and rock and roll gifts, Christmas is a pop holiday that plays best in the background, which suits Redbone's forgettable old-timey lassitude."[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that, "with a deep, wavery delivery, the growl-voiced blues-folkie comes across as a kind of Crosby on Quaaludes."[19] The St. Petersburg Times stated that Redbone's "trademark laconic style puts an entirely new spin on these tunes."[20]
The Washington Post determined that "after a while the effortless renditions start sounding too similar."[21] The Los Angeles Times deemed the album "sultry, desert-island swing."[13] The Orlando Sentinel noted the "bittersweet" atmosphere, writing that the songs are "exceptional, true-to-the-original versions."[7] The Toronto Sun opined that Redbone's "cornball style is tailor-made for traditional hokum."[22]
AllMusic praised Redbone's "joyous performance."[15]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "White Christmas" | Irving Berlin | 2:22 |
| 2. | "Winter Wonderland" | Felix Bernard, Dick Smith | 2:33 |
| 3. | "Frosty the Snowman" | Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins | 1:58 |
| 4. | "Blue Christmas" | Bill Hayes, Jay Johnson | 2:27 |
| 5. | "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" | Robert Allen, Al Stillman | 2:36 |
| 6. | "Toyland" | Victor Herbert, Glen MacDonough | 2:37 |
| 7. | "Christmas Island" | Lyle Moraine | 3:39 |
| 8. | "That Old Christmas Moon" | Terry Waldo | 3:03 |
| 9. | "I'll Be Home for Christmas" | Kim Gannon, Walter Kent | 2:40 |
| 10. | "Let It Snow" | Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne | 2:39 |
| 11. | "Christmas Ball Blues" | Traditional | 3:05 |
Personnel[edit]
Musicians[edit]
- Leon Redbone – vocals, guitar
- Dr John – piano, vocals, percussion
- Terry Waldo – piano, vocals
- John Gill – drums, banjo, bass saxophone, string arranger
- Brian Nalepka – double bass, accordian
- Cindy Cashdollar – dobro, vocals
- Bobby Gordon – clarinet
- Richard Henrickson, George Wozniak, Kathryn Kienke – violins
- Doug Epstein, Betsy – vocals
- Santa – bells, chimes, sleigh bells
Technical[edit]
- Leon Redbone, Beryl Handler – producers
- Doug Epstein – engineer, mixing engineer
- Jim Lloyd – mastering engineer
- Leon Redbone – cover design, concept
- Mark Larson – art direction, design
- Elsa Bouman – artwork
- Tish Fried – artwork coordinator
- Scott Weiner, Laura Levine – photography
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-island-mw0000652785#releases
- ^ Gundersen, Edna (2 Dec 1988). "It's a new age for classics". USA Today. p. 4D.
- ^ Campbell, Mary (1 Dec 1990). "Old bluesman Redbone offers Christmas album". Vancouver Sun. p. H11.
- ^ Cuddihy, Kevin; Metcalfe, Phillip (October 1, 2005). Christmas's Most Wanted™: The Top 10 Book of Kris Kringles, Merry Jingles, and Holiday Cheer. Potomac Books, Inc. ISBN 9781574889680.
- ^ Hiltbrand, David (Dec 11, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song". People. Vol. 32, no. 24. p. 29.
- ^ a b Heim, Chris (2 Dec 1988). "Leon Redbone brings his trademark old timey sound ...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 82.
- ^ a b c Henderson, Bill (1 Dec 1989). "Leon Redbone, Christmas Island". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 21.
- ^ Abrahams, Peter (June 29, 2011). Revolution #9. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307800787.
- ^ Buckley, Julia (September 6, 2016). Cheddar Off Dead. Penguin. ISBN 9780698166745.
- ^ Garbera, Katherine (November 21, 2017). Once Upon a Texas Christmas. Tule Publishing. ISBN 9781947636767.
- ^ Boren, Ray; Wadley, Carma (December 14, 1990). "Christmas Music: No Other Holiday Inspires a Broader Range of Melodies". Deseret News. p. W1.
- ^ Gilbert, Calvin (November 11, 1988). "Redbone mixes being humorist and being serious". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 12.
- ^ a b Goldstein, Patrick (4 Dec 1988). "Holiday Hoopla". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 84.
- ^ Okamoto, David (18 Dec 1988). "Making music for Christmas". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. E1.
- ^ a b "Leon Redbone Christmas Island". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Leon Redbone". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 813.
- ^ MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 656.
- ^ Landry, Peter (1 Dec 1988). "The Sounds of Christmas". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
- ^ Riccio, Richard (13 Dec 1991). "Everything old is new again". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 26.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (2 Dec 1988). "Sounding Out the Season". The Washington Post. p. N8.
- ^ Sakamoto, John (December 20, 1990). "It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 87.
