Christmas 1984 is the first holiday album the
Mannheim Steamroller released, and it remains their definitive work.
Chip Davis never strayed from the clean, airy instrumental style that he exhibits here (and earlier perfected on his Fresh Aire albums), but it is here where it all sounded fresh. It's also where he had his best selection of songs, tackling a variety of classic carols like "Deck the Halls," "We Three Kings," "Good King Wenceslas," "Wassail, Wassail," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and "I Saw Three Ships." Some listeners never found the
Mannheim formula that engaging, but anyone who his been captured by one of their holiday records should investigate
Christmas 1984, which is where it all began. ~ Rodney Batdorf