Christmas Island (Leon Redbone album) explained

Christmas Island
Type:studio
Artist:Leon Redbone
Cover:Christmas Island (Leon Redbone album).jpg
Border:yes
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
Prev Title:No Regrets
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Sugar
Next Year:1990

Christmas Island is an album by the musician Leon Redbone.[4] [5] It was released in 1988, with a rerelease the following year.

The title track has been mentioned in many works of fiction.[6] [7] [8]

Production

The album was recorded in three days.[9] Redbone picked songs that he thought would appeal to listeners who didn't usually enjoy Christmas music.[10] He duetted with Dr. John on "Frosty the Snowman".[11] "Winter Wonderland" contains a dobro solo.[12] "Christmas Ball Blues" is a version of the song made popular by Bessie Smith.[13]

Critical reception

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." The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that, "with a deep, wavery delivery, the growl-voiced blues-folkie comes across as a kind of Crosby on Quaaludes."[14] The St. Petersburg Times stated that Redbone's "trademark laconic style puts an entirely new spin on these tunes."[15]

The Washington Post determined that "after a while the effortless renditions start sounding too similar."[16] The Los Angeles Times deemed the album "sultry, desert-island swing."[12] The Orlando Sentinel noted the "bittersweet" atmosphere, writing that the songs are "exceptional, true-to-the-original versions." The Toronto Sun opined that Redbone's "cornball style is tailor-made for traditional hokum."[17]

AllMusic praised Redbone's "joyous performance."

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Notes and References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-island-mw0000652785#releases
  2. News: Gundersen . Edna . It's a new age for classics . USA Today . 2 Dec 1988 . 4D.
  3. News: Campbell . Mary . Old bluesman Redbone offers Christmas album . Vancouver Sun . 1 Dec 1990 . H11.
  4. Book: Christmas's Most Wanted™: The Top 10 Book of Kris Kringles, Merry Jingles, and Holiday Cheer. Kevin. Cuddihy. Phillip. Metcalfe. October 1, 2005. Potomac Books, Inc.. 9781574889680.
  5. Hiltbrand . David . Picks & Pans—Song . People . Dec 11, 1989 . 32 . 24 . 29.
  6. Book: Abrahams, Peter. Revolution #9. June 29, 2011. Random House Publishing Group. 9780307800787.
  7. Book: Buckley, Julia. Cheddar Off Dead. September 6, 2016. Penguin. 9780698166745.
  8. Book: Garbera, Katherine. Once Upon a Texas Christmas. November 21, 2017. Tule Publishing. 9781947636767.
  9. News: Boren . Ray . Wadley . Carma . Christmas Music: No Other Holiday Inspires a Broader Range of Melodies . Deseret News . December 14, 1990 . W1.
  10. News: Gilbert . Calvin . Redbone mixes being humorist and being serious . The Advocate . November 11, 1988 . Baton Rouge . Fun . 12.
  11. News: Heim . Chris . Leon Redbone brings his trademark old timey sound ... . Chicago Tribune . 2 Dec 1988 . Friday . 82.
  12. News: Goldstein . Patrick . Holiday Hoopla . Los Angeles Times . 4 Dec 1988 . Calendar . 84.
  13. News: Okamoto . David . Making music for Christmas . Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph . 18 Dec 1988 . E1.
  14. News: Landry . Peter . The Sounds of Christmas . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 1 Dec 1988 . D1.
  15. News: Riccio . Richard . Everything old is new again . St. Petersburg Times . 13 Dec 1991 . Weekend . 26.
  16. News: Harrington . Richard . Sounding Out the Season . The Washington Post . 2 Dec 1988 . N8.
  17. News: Sakamoto . John . It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas . Toronto Sun . December 20, 1990 . Entertainment . 87.

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