Christmas in Tahoe [Red Marble Vinyl] [B&N Exclusive]

by Train

Overview

Credit to Train for capturing a specific seasonal vibe on their 2015 holiday album Christmas in Tahoe and, furthermore, for making it plain right in the record's title. Where most Christmas albums focus on afternoons filled with snow and evenings by the fire, Train zero in on a Californian Christmas, one with plenty of sun and margaritas to share. Appropriately, the band isn't big on carols -- only one makes the cut and that's "O Holy Night," its presence vaguely bringing to mind the Letterman tradition of Paul Shaffer singing it as Cher every holiday -- choosing to cover popular favorites from the '50s through the 21st century, throwing in a couple of peppy (and pretty good) originals along the way. The oldest song here is the 1950 Hawaiian holiday tune "Mele Kalikimaka," a novelty popularized by Bing Crosby, and the group also sticks in the '50s for "Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me," which Pat Monahan hams up as a tribute to Elvis, but most of the tunes date from somewhere surrounding the '70s. Train cast their net wide, bringing in Donny Hathaway ("This Christmas"), the Band ("Christmas Must Be Tonight"), Joni Mitchell ("The River"), and Slade ("Merry Christmas Everybody") -- it's a wonder they didn't find room for Roy Wood's "I Wish It Was Christmas Everyday" -- and they also bring in Chrissie Hynde's "2000 Miles" and Tracey Thorn's recent "Tinsel and Lights," nods to good, varied taste one and all, but the real calling card for Christmas in Tahoe is its sunny, open feel. It, like Colbie Caillat's Christmas in the Sand before it, is an overdue holiday record for the West Coasters and there's an inherent charm to that sensibility that cannot be denied. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/19/2021
Label:	Bmg Special Products
UPC:	0192641603570

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Train   Primary Artist
David Mann   Horn,Sax (Alto)
Andy Snitzer   Horn,Sax (Tenor)
Pat Monahan   Vocals
Jeff Kievit   Horn,Trumpet
Robert Rinehart   Viola,Strings
Luis Maldonado   Guitar
Rob Mathes   Horn,Strings,Conductor
Roger Rosenberg   Horn,Sax (Baritone)
Suzanne Ornstein   Violin,Strings
Hector Maldonado   Bass
Phillip A. Peterson   Cello,Strings
Lisa Kim   Strings
Victoria Parker   Violin
Sakai   Vocals (Background)
Mike Davis   Horn,Trombone
Drew Shoals   Drums
Alan Stepansky   Cello,Strings
Jerry Becker   Keyboards
Nikila Houston   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Allen Story   Composer
Tracey Thorn   Composer
Hugh Martin   Composer
Chrissie Hynde   Composer
Pat Monahan   Arranger,Composer
Donny Hathaway   Composer
Robert Rinehart   Leader
Sandra Park   Contractor
Joni Mitchell   Composer
Robbie Robertson   Composer
Rob Mathes   Arranger
Nadine McKinnor   Composer
Adolphe Adam   Composer
Michael Brauer   Mixing
Butch Walker   Composer
Anna Gordy Gaye   Composer
Suzanne Ornstein   Leader
Phillip A. Peterson   Arranger
John Goodmanson   Mixing,Producer
Jerry Becker   Engineer,Composer
Ralph Blane   Composer
Alex Venguer   Engineer
George Gordy   Composer
James Lea   Composer
Neville Holder   Composer
Eric Corson   Analog Engineer
Joe LaPorta   Mastering
David Hagen   Assistant Engineer
Alan Stepansky   Leader
Steve Vealey   Mixing Assistant
Mikey Ortiz   Package Design
Casey Catelli   Photography
Shadee Hasan   Composer
Alex Slagle   Assistant Engineer