Rating: 
Summary: The best!
Review: At our house, Mannheim Steamroller music is a part of our Christmas. And watching this DVD opens our holiday celebration. My daughter usually breaks it out in October. The live performance adds another demention to their music, and the violin player, Arnie Roth, looks like my brother. One of the common complaints I've heard of Steamroller is that it's all electronically produced - not true at all. This DVD shows the heart and joy that goes into making this music.
Rating:
Summary: The best!
Review: Chip Davis concerts are without saying, an experience in the realm of music and sound that will stay with you for days upon a time. As leader of the legendary Mannheim Steamroller, his knack for selecting the proper music for each performance is astounding. I've seen his concerts many times, but this last one in December of 2002 was seen through the eyes of my grandchildren Nick and Alexis. They sat there spellbound, feeling each emotion in the transition of the musicians and orchestra that sent your head reeling with joy and excitement. Nick, who is 12 years of age, took the CD that he purchased at the concert to school with him the very next day and gave a talk about the concert. His class was very impressed with the CD and his presentation of the evening's music. The reason I mention this event is the album I'm about to review has most of the cues inclusive ~ "MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS LIVE".Mannheim Steamroller has a unique sound, probably some of the most talented musicians around today. As usual the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround takes you into another dimension, with picture perfect clarity that makes you feel like you're right there in the audience. Mannheim Steamroller are enthusiastic in their performance in a live fashion ~ leading the way is Chip Davis (drums/perccusion/recorders/toys), Jackson Berkey (piano/harpsichord/keyboards), Arnie Roth (concertmaster/violin), Almeda Berkey (harpsichord/keyboards), Ron Cooley (guitar/fretted instruments), Roxanne Layton (recorders/percussion) and Chuck Penington (conductor) This 56 minute "Christmas Live" concert takes us from the real world on a journey of delight featuring many favorite cues from the past Christmas albums. Some of the stand outs are ~ "ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH", a big favorite around my house ~ "RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER", fulfilled arrangement, still as popular as ever ~ "JOY TO THE WORLD", blends melody with counter melody and a driving power that leaves you wanting more ~ "PAT A PAN", the video part of the program shows two youngsters a boy and girl growing up, later marrying as he goes off to war and not coming back, their little boy opens presents one Christmas morning finding a toy drum just like his father played, very touching with a tear entwined through the musical presentation. Another favorite as always is the Renaissance part of the program like "IN DULCI JUBILO" and "WASSAIL, WASSAIL", each musician using a Renaissance instrument as the audience watches the Big Screen as the players recreate the time and place, Mannheim musicians performance as usual is pure perfection If you want to get into the "Christmas" spirit and the spirit of loving ~ this DVD is a keeper. My entire family watches this every year and we feel the closeness toward one another and our neighbors here an abroad. If you enjoyed this, you may want to pick up other Mannheim Steamroller music ~ "Christmas"(1984),"A Fresh Aire Christmas"(1988), "Christmas in the Aire"(1995), "Christmas Extraordinaire"(2001) or you might try the entire collection of four CD's in the ultimate collection of "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Collection", this is the zenith of the Christmas yuletide.
Rating:
Summary: "Yuletide is Mannheim Steamroller Christmas!"
Review: Chip Davis concerts are without saying, an experience in the realm of music and sound that will stay with you for days upon a time. As leader of the legendary Mannheim Steamroller, his knack for selecting the proper music for each performance is astounding. I've seen his concerts many times, but this last one in December of 2002 was seen through the eyes of my grandchildren Nick and Alexis. They sat there spellbound, feeling each emotion in the transition of the musicians and orchestra that sent your head reeling with joy and excitement. Nick, who is 12 years of age, took the CD that he purchased at the concert to school with him the very next day and gave a talk about the concert. His class was very impressed with the CD and his presentation of the evening's music. The reason I mention this event is the album I'm about to review has most of the cues inclusive ~ "MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS LIVE". Mannheim Steamroller has a unique sound, probably some of the most talented musicians around today. As usual the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround takes you into another dimension, with picture perfect clarity that makes you feel like you're right there in the audience. Mannheim Steamroller are enthusiastic in their performance in a live fashion ~ leading the way is Chip Davis (drums/perccusion/recorders/toys), Jackson Berkey (piano/harpsichord/keyboards), Arnie Roth (concertmaster/violin), Almeda Berkey (harpsichord/keyboards), Ron Cooley (guitar/fretted instruments), Roxanne Layton (recorders/percussion) and Chuck Penington (conductor) This 56 minute "Christmas Live" concert takes us from the real world on a journey of delight featuring many favorite cues from the past Christmas albums. Some of the stand outs are ~ "ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH", a big favorite around my house ~ "RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER", fulfilled arrangement, still as popular as ever ~ "JOY TO THE WORLD", blends melody with counter melody and a driving power that leaves you wanting more ~ "PAT A PAN", the video part of the program shows two youngsters a boy and girl growing up, later marrying as he goes off to war and not coming back, their little boy opens presents one Christmas morning finding a toy drum just like his father played, very touching with a tear entwined through the musical presentation. Another favorite as always is the Renaissance part of the program like "IN DULCI JUBILO" and "WASSAIL, WASSAIL", each musician using a Renaissance instrument as the audience watches the Big Screen as the players recreate the time and place, Mannheim musicians performance as usual is pure perfection If you want to get into the "Christmas" spirit and the spirit of loving ~ this DVD is a keeper. My entire family watches this every year and we feel the closeness toward one another and our neighbors here an abroad. If you enjoyed this, you may want to pick up other Mannheim Steamroller music ~ "Christmas"(1984),"A Fresh Aire Christmas"(1988), "Christmas in the Aire"(1995), "Christmas Extraordinaire"(2001) or you might try the entire collection of four CD's in the ultimate collection of "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Collection", this is the zenith of the Christmas yuletide.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely astounding
Review: Coming from someone who's been a fan of this group's Christmas music for many years, take this as the definate word that this DVD is a definate masterpiece by Mannheim Steamroller. If all of their past work was building up to something, this would be the culmination of their efforts. The visuals are amazing, and the music video/mini movie set to "Pat A Pan" even choked me up (very sad). The sound was incredibly well produced, and the video was stunningly mastered. Makes me wish I had a digital capable TV with component inputs. Even if you've only heard of Mannheim Steamroller, and you've got a DVD player, BUY THIS DVD. You'll be very glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely astounding
Review: Coming from someone who's been a fan of this group's Christmas music for many years, take this as the definate word that this DVD is a definate masterpiece by Mannheim Steamroller. If all of their past work was building up to something, this would be the culmination of their efforts. The visuals are amazing, and the music video/mini movie set to "Pat A Pan" even choked me up (very sad). The sound was incredibly well produced, and the video was stunningly mastered. Makes me wish I had a digital capable TV with component inputs. Even if you've only heard of Mannheim Steamroller, and you've got a DVD player, BUY THIS DVD. You'll be very glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Christmas show
Review: I loved every minute of this album. The music is so alive, it's almost like being in Omaha. I've seen the Mannheim Steamroller gang in concert for real - and this is almost as good - the only thing missing is the Christmas village display. Even my 66 year old dad likes this one - and he *despises* rock and roll <G>.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Christmas show
Review: I loved every minute of this album. The music is so alive, it's almost like being in Omaha. I've seen the Mannheim Steamroller gang in concert for real - and this is almost as good - the only thing missing is the Christmas village display. Even my 66 year old dad likes this one - and he *despises* rock and roll <G>.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful video!
Review: Mannheim Steamroller is known mostly for the excellent Fresh Aire series, and the Christmas series. This DVD contains live interpretations for some "old" classics from the first Fresh Aire Christmas albums but also from the newer "Christmas in the Aire". Here you can see all the well known musicians from Mannheim playing and enjoying the evening (it includes some carols by Chip Davis' Renaissance Ensamble accompained by a funny "interactive" movie!). Musically this DVD is superb, all the musicians are excellent. And visually, it is very dynamic, including videos for most of the songs (which are also projected to the live audience). This is a must have for every Mannheim Steamroller fan, and an Christmas gift for all.
Just hope Chip released some "Fresh Aire" concert on DVD :-)
Rating:
Summary: BOUNDRYLESS CHRISTMAS
Review: OUTSTANDING, ENTERTAINING, A JOY FOR FAMILY VIEWING! THE MUSICANS AND ORCHESTRATIONS ARE TRULY CREATIVE. THE BACKROUND VIDIOGRAPHY AND MUSIC BLEND INTO ONE MASTERPIECE OF ENTERTAINMENT. TOO BAD IT'S ONLY 56 MINUETS LONG.
Rating:
Summary: The #1 selling Christmas artist in digital sight and sound
Review: The Mannheim Steamroller may not be a name that you are quickly familiar with, but you have heard their music if you listen to the radio, watch TV or walk through stores during December. These talented performers from Omaha, NB put on one fantastic show and this DVD has captured the magic of their performance perhaps even better than being there live! Using twenty-four 35mm cameras and 64 tracks of digital audio, this concert is recorded to bring magic to your playback system. The sound is spectacular, and the images are almost magic. You will hear the music, and see the performers (often backed by beautiful multi-image scenes to enhance the mood) as well as music video type inserts to keep the viewer's attention. The performance includes 16 selections, ranging from the traditional to the eclectic holiday music. Their version of Silent Night, listed as Stille Nacht, is five and a half minutes of music magic. It must be heard! As if the performance is not enough, this disc includes performance descriptions, interesting facts about each song and production notes. Just to make sure that no producer or studio suit makes decisions that might adversely affect the creative genius of this group, they own the studio, and arrange and produce all their own material. To keep the live performance as razor sharp as their recordings, each performer wears a headset and listens to a click track while perfoming. The perfect DVD to include with that DVD player you are giving as a gift. From American Gramaphone
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