Wikipedia

Christmas Island (Leon Redbone album)

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]

Christmas Island
Studio album by
Leon Redbone
Released1988
Recorded1988
StudioManhattan Recording Company
GenreJazz, Christmas music[1]
Length30:19
LabelAugust[2]
Private Music[3]
ProducerBeryl Handler, Leon Redbone
Leon Redbone chronology
No Regrets
(1988) 		Christmas Island
(1988) 		Sugar
(1990)

The title track has been mentioned in many works of fiction.[8][9][10]

Production

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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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [15]
Robert ChristgauB+[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

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."White Christmas"Irving Berlin2:22
2."Winter Wonderland"Felix Bernard, Dick Smith2:33
3."Frosty the Snowman"Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins1:58
4."Blue Christmas"Bill Hayes, Jay Johnson2:27
5."There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays"Robert Allen, Al Stillman2:36
6."Toyland"Victor Herbert, Glen MacDonough2:37
7."Christmas Island"Lyle Moraine3:39
8."That Old Christmas Moon"Terry Waldo3:03
9."I'll Be Home for Christmas"Kim Gannon, Walter Kent2:40
10."Let It Snow"Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne2:39
11."Christmas Ball Blues"Traditional3:05

Personnel

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Musicians

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  • 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, accordion
  • Cindy Cashdollar – dobro, vocals
  • Bobby Gordon – clarinet
  • Richard Henrickson, George Wozniak, Kathryn Kienke – violins
  • Doug Epstein, Betsy – vocals
  • Santa – bells, chimes, sleigh bells

Technical

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  • 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

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  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-island-mw0000652785#releases
  2. ^ Gundersen, Edna (2 Dec 1988). "It's a new age for classics". USA Today. p. 4D.
  3. ^ Campbell, Mary (1 Dec 1990). "Old bluesman Redbone offers Christmas album". Vancouver Sun. p. H11.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Hiltbrand, David (Dec 11, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song". People. Vol. 32, no. 24. p. 29.
  6. ^ a b Heim, Chris (2 Dec 1988). "Leon Redbone brings his trademark old timey sound ...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 82.
  7. ^ a b c Henderson, Bill (1 Dec 1989). "Leon Redbone, Christmas Island". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 21.
  8. ^ Abrahams, Peter (June 29, 2011). Revolution #9. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307800787.
  9. ^ Buckley, Julia (September 6, 2016). Cheddar Off Dead. Penguin. ISBN 9780698166745.
  10. ^ Garbera, Katherine (November 21, 2017). Once Upon a Texas Christmas. Tule Publishing. ISBN 9781947636767.
  11. ^ Boren, Ray; Wadley, Carma (December 14, 1990). "Christmas Music: No Other Holiday Inspires a Broader Range of Melodies". Deseret News. p. W1.
  12. ^ Gilbert, Calvin (November 11, 1988). "Redbone mixes being humorist and being serious". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 12.
  13. ^ a b Goldstein, Patrick (4 Dec 1988). "Holiday Hoopla". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 84.
  14. ^ Okamoto, David (18 Dec 1988). "Making music for Christmas". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. E1.
  15. ^ a b "Leon Redbone Christmas Island". AllMusic.
  16. ^ a b "Leon Redbone". Robert Christgau.
  17. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 813.
  18. ^ MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 656.
  19. ^ Landry, Peter (1 Dec 1988). "The Sounds of Christmas". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
  20. ^ Riccio, Richard (13 Dec 1991). "Everything old is new again". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 26.
  21. ^ Harrington, Richard (2 Dec 1988). "Sounding Out the Season". The Washington Post. p. N8.
  22. ^ Sakamoto, John (December 20, 1990). "It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 87.
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