Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The format for single-artist Christmas albums has remained static nearly since the dawn of the LP: a popular artist reprises his sound of the moment in a Christmas setting, sometimes mixing sacred material with secular, but always generating a time capsule that rarely holds up to repeated listenings. The Beach Boys recorded one of the best rock Christmas records of all time, and contributed an even rarer thing than a good holiday album -- a new composition to add to the canon in "Little Saint Nick." Brian Wilson's first solo Christmas album (although he did attempt a second Beach Boys edition in the mid-'70s) was recorded with the same group that made his 2004 SMiLE LP, and it shows the influence of that record. The two new songs are intriguing because each pairs Wilson with a great rock lyricist. The first, "What I Really Want for Christmas," finds Bernie Taupin thrusting some fine sentiments into a very SMiLE-like melody. The other is the odd title "Christmasey," written with Jimmy Webb, a bright song with a kinetic power that makes it the highlight of the record. Surprisingly, Wilson doesn't shy away from the sacred material -- in fact, nearly half of the songs are hymns -- and sings multiple verses of "Hark the Herald Angels" and "O Holy Night" like he's reading straight from the hymnbook (except for the excellent new vocal arrangement he writes for the beginning and outro of the former). Wilson's oddly emphatic vocals don't quite suit the Christmas concept, but the arrangements and treatments are very good; the long instrument list and sound will be familiar to Beach Boys fans who have long since memorized the credits on Pet Sounds and SMiLE. Only two choices are puzzling: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" definitely doesn't benefit from a backbeat, and things get a bit confused on "The Man with All the Toys" when the band essays a single line from "O Come All Ye Faithful" ("let every heart prepare him room") and the listener starts wondering whether they're still talking about Santa Claus. One nice fillip for Beach Boys fans is how Wilson consciously swipes the beginning of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" (long recognized as his favorite song) for the bonus track "On Christmas Day."
© John Bush /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From CA$ 10.83/month
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Composer - Brian Wilson, Lyricist - Mike Love, Composer - Mike Love, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Bernie Taupin, Composer - Bernie Taupin, Lyricist - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Composer - Brian Wilson, Lyricist - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Mills, Vocal - Erika Kirkpatrick, Acoustic Cello - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Composer - Brian Wilson, Lyricist - Karen Bakunin, Viola - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass - Jim Hines, Drums - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Paul von Mertens, Arranger - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Sharon Jackson, Violin - Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Carol Robbins, Harp - John Yoakum, Baritone Saxophone - John Yoakum, Oboe - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Robbie Hioti, Trombone - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Peter Kent, Violin - Jimmy Webb, Composer - Jimmy Webb, Lyricist - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Composer - Brian Wilson, Lyricist - Mike Love, Composer - Mike Love, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Brian Wilson, Composer - Brian Wilson, Lyricist - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Nicki Walusko, Vocal - Nicki Walusko, Guitar - Jeff Burns, 2nd Engineer - Mark Linett, Engineer - Mark Linett, Recording Engineer - Mark Linett, Mixing Engineer - Jim Hines, Drums - Greg Burns, 2nd Engineer - Probyn Gregory, Vocal - Probyn Gregory, Guitar - Probyn Gregory, French Horn - Probyn Gregory, Flugelhorn - Probyn Gregory, Trumpet - Brian Wilson, Performer - Brian Wilson, Arranger - Brian Wilson, Producer - Brian Wilson, Mixing Engineer - Brian Wilson, Vocal - Brian Wilson, Piano - Paul von Mertens, Saxophone - Paul von Mertens, Flute - Paul von Mertens, Harmonica - Scott Bennett, Vocal - Scott Bennett, Piano - Scott Bennett, Organ - Scott Bennett, Vibraphone - Scott Bennett, Glockenspiel - Jeffrey Foskett, Vocal - Jeffrey Foskett, Guitar - Jeffrey Foskett, Bells - Traditional, Composer - Traditional, Lyricist - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Vocal - Nelson Bragg, Jr., Percussion - Darian Sahanaja, Mixing Engineer - Darian Sahanaja, Vocal - Darian Sahanaja, Piano - Darian Sahanaja, Organ - Darian Sahanaja, Vibraphone - Darian Sahanaja, Glockenspiel - Taylor Mills, Vocal - Bob Lizik, Acoustic Bass
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Album review
The format for single-artist Christmas albums has remained static nearly since the dawn of the LP: a popular artist reprises his sound of the moment in a Christmas setting, sometimes mixing sacred material with secular, but always generating a time capsule that rarely holds up to repeated listenings. The Beach Boys recorded one of the best rock Christmas records of all time, and contributed an even rarer thing than a good holiday album -- a new composition to add to the canon in "Little Saint Nick." Brian Wilson's first solo Christmas album (although he did attempt a second Beach Boys edition in the mid-'70s) was recorded with the same group that made his 2004 SMiLE LP, and it shows the influence of that record. The two new songs are intriguing because each pairs Wilson with a great rock lyricist. The first, "What I Really Want for Christmas," finds Bernie Taupin thrusting some fine sentiments into a very SMiLE-like melody. The other is the odd title "Christmasey," written with Jimmy Webb, a bright song with a kinetic power that makes it the highlight of the record. Surprisingly, Wilson doesn't shy away from the sacred material -- in fact, nearly half of the songs are hymns -- and sings multiple verses of "Hark the Herald Angels" and "O Holy Night" like he's reading straight from the hymnbook (except for the excellent new vocal arrangement he writes for the beginning and outro of the former). Wilson's oddly emphatic vocals don't quite suit the Christmas concept, but the arrangements and treatments are very good; the long instrument list and sound will be familiar to Beach Boys fans who have long since memorized the credits on Pet Sounds and SMiLE. Only two choices are puzzling: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" definitely doesn't benefit from a backbeat, and things get a bit confused on "The Man with All the Toys" when the band essays a single line from "O Come All Ye Faithful" ("let every heart prepare him room") and the listener starts wondering whether they're still talking about Santa Claus. One nice fillip for Beach Boys fans is how Wilson consciously swipes the beginning of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" (long recognized as his favorite song) for the bonus track "On Christmas Day."
© John Bush /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:45:25
- Main artists: Brian Wilson
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Arista
- Genre: Pop/Rock
(P) 2005 Arista Records, LLC, a unit of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.