I tuned in for the medieval rock & roll of the Fresh Aire albums, then took a holiday from them after the first Christmas album.

Before he was the mastermind behind Mannheim Steamroller, Chip Davis wrote songs for C.W. McCall including his biggest hit, “Convoy.” You’d think that would be enough to earn him a lifetime ban on a site called Progrography, but the Fresh Aire series was actually very good. Loosely based on the four seasons, the first four Fresh Aire albums combined medieval instruments with spirited melodies that suggested the work of Rick Wakeman or a lighter version of Gentle Giant. Beginning with Christmas, the band discovered a new and even more lucrative niche: holiday music. Apres ca, le deluge of holiday-themed albums: Christmas music, Halloween music, Valentine’s Day music, July 4th music. Given the number of turkeys in that mix, a Thanksgiving-themed album seems inevitable. But no need to throw out the Fresh Aire series with the bathetic product that followed. Also, you’d have to be a Grinch not to enjoy at least the first Christmas album, which rounds out the original medieval quartet nicely.

The Discography

FRESH AIRE (1975)
Prelude/Chocolate Fudge / Interlude I / Sonata / Interlude II / Saras Band // Fresh Aire / Rondo / Interlude III / Pass the Keg (Lia) / Interlude IV / Mist. Released on elpee in 1975 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-355). RIAA-certified gold record. Re-released on remastered compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, 5001).

FRESH AIRE II (1977)
Chorale / Door 1 / Door 2 / Door 3 / Door 4 / Door 5 / Door 6 / Door 7 / Fantasy // Interlude V / Velvet Tear / A Shade Tree / Toota Lute / Going to Another Place. Released on elpee in 1977 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-359). Re-issued on compact disc in 1984 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD-359). Re-released on remastered compact disc on September 12, 200o in the US (American Gramaphone, 5002).

FRESH AIRE III (1979)
Toccata / Small Wooden Bachses / Amber / Mere Image // Morning / Interlude 6 / The Cricket / The Sky / Midnight on a Full Moon. Released on elpee and cassette in 1979 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC-365) with diecut gatefold cover. Re-issued on compact disc in 1985 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD-365). Re-released on remastered compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, 5003).

FRESH AIRE 4 (1981)
G Major Toccata / Crystal / Interlude 7 / Four Rows of Jacks // Red Wine / Dancing Flames / The Dream / Embers. Released on elpee and cassette on December 15, 1981 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC-370) with gatefold cover. Re-issued on compact disc in 1986 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD-370). Re-packaged as Seasons with Fresh Aires I-III on 4CD boxed set in 1992 in the US (American Gramaphone). Re-released on remastered high-definition compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG5004-2) with different cover.

FRESH AIRE INTERLUDES (1981)
Interlude I / Interlude II / Interlude III / Interlude IV / Mist // Velvet Tear / Interlude V / Interlude VI / Amber / Interlude VII. Released on elpee and cassette in 1981 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC-373). Re-issued on compact disc in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD-373).

FRESH AIRE V (1983)
”Lumen” / Escape From the Atmosphere / Release / Dancin’ in the Stars / Chant // Z-Row Gravity / Creatures of Levania / Earth Rise / Return / The Storm. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc on November 1, 1983 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC/AGCD-385) with gatefold cover. Reached #25 on the US New Age charts in 1994. Re-released on remastered compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, 5005) with unique cover.

CHRISTMAS (1984)
Deck the Halls / We Three Kings / Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella / Coventry Carol / Good King Wenceslas // Wassail, Wassail / Carol of the Birds / I Saw Three Ships / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen / Still Nacht (Silent Night). Released on elpee and cassette on September 15, 1984 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC-1984). (RIAA-certified 6x platinum record.) Re-packaged with A Fresh Aire Christmas as Christmas, Vols. 1 & 2 on 2-for-1 compact disc on October 31, 1991 in the US (American Gramaphone, 8488). Re-issued on compact disc on August 29, 1994 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD-1984).

Silent Night (1984)
b/w Deck The Halls. Released on 7-inch single in 1984 in the US (American Gramaphone, 43447).

FRESH AIRE VI (1986)
Come Home to the Sea/ Rhodes Suite / The Olympics / Nepenthe // Orpheus Suite / Sirens. Released on elpee and cassette in 1986 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC-386). Reached #155 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record). Re-issued on compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, 5006).

SAVING THE WILDLIFE (1986)
Rhinos and Elephants / Dolphins and Whales / Wolfgang Amaedeus Penguin / Florida Suite: Barbeque; Everglades; Sunset // Wolves / Tamarin Monkeys / Grizzly Bears / Tigers and Lions / Eagles / Amanda Panda / Harp Seals. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in 1986 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC/AGCD-2086) with gatefold cover.

A FRESH AIRE CHRISTMAS (1988)
Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Veni Veni (O Come O Come Emmanuel) / The Holly and the Ivy / Little Drummer Boy / Still,Still, Still // Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming / In Dulci Jubilo / Greensleeves / Carol of the Bells / Traditions of Christmas / Cantique del Noel (O Holy Night). Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in 1988 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG/AGC/AG-1988/-2). Reached #36 on the US charts and #4 on the US New Age charts (RIAA-certified 6x platinum record). Repackaged on compact disc w. Christmas as Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Vols. 1 & 2 on October 31, 1991 in the US (American Gramaphone, 8488).

YELLOWSTONE: THE MUSIC OF NATURE (1989)
Pines of Rome / Interlude III / Ballade / Sunrise at Rhodes / Come Home to the Sea / Morning / Interlude VI / La Primavera / Nepenthe / The Sky / Grand Canyon Suite: Cloudburst / Earthrise / Return to the Earth. Released on compact disc and cassette in 1989 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD/AGC-3089). Reached #167 on the US charts and #2 on the Top New Age Albums (RIAA-certified gold record).

FRESH AIRE 7 (1990)
Conjuring the Number 7 / Sunday the 7^th Day / The 7 Colours of the Rainbow / The 7 C’s / The 7 Metals of Alchemy / The 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 1; Chakra 2; Chakra 3; Chakra 4; Chakra 5; Chakra 6; Chakra 7 / The 7 Stars of the Big Dipper. Released on compact disc and cassette in 1990 in the US (American Gramaphone, AGCD/AGC-777). Reached #77 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record). Re-issued on compact disc on September 12, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-5007).

The 7 Metals of Alchemy (1990)
Released as promotional CD single in 1990 in the US (American Gramaphone, 771).

The 7 Colours of the Rainbow (1990)
Released as promotional CD single in 1990 in the US (American Gramaphone, 772).

CHRISTMAS IN THE AIRE (1995)
Joy to the World / Joseph Dear Oh Joseph Mine / Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Herbei, Oh Ihr Glaubigen (O Come All Ye Faithful) / Pat a Pan / O’ Little Town O Bethlehem / Angels We Have Heard on High / Gagliardia / Los Peces en el Rio / Christmas Lullaby / Kling, Glockechen / Jingle Bells. Released on compact disc on September 12, 1995 in the US (American Gramaphone). Reached #3 on the US charts (RIAA-certified 4x platinum record).

Angels We Have Heard on High (live) (1995)
b/w Angels We Have Heard on High (LP version). Released as promotional CD single in 1995 in the US (American Gramaphone, 1996-25).

A MANNHEIM MASSAGE (1997)
Sonata / Door 4 / Velvet Tear / Twilight at Rhodes / Interlude 1 / Interlude 2 / Interlude 3 / Interlude 4 / Crystal / Creatures of Levania / Interlude 7 / Mist / Amber / The Sky / Chakra 4 / Morning. Released on compact disc on September 17, 1997 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-32).

RENAISSANCE HOLIDAYS (1998)
Volte / Ding Dong! Merrily on High / Cos Colo Odo Sa / Ballet / I Saw Three Ships / The King’s Mistress / In Dulci Jubilo / En Avois/Tant Que Vivray / Gigue / Malle Sijmon / Intrada / Greensleeves / Laura Suave / Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine / Coventry Carol / Wolseys Wilde / New Yeeres Gift / The Nymph’s Dance/The Second of Grays Inn / There Is No Rose of Such Virtue / Lachrimae Antiquae / Patapan/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Gagliarda / Bouree / Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming / Bateman’s Masque / M.George Whitehead and His Almand / The Merry Bells of Speyer. Released on compact disc on October 13, 1998 in the US (American Gramaphone, 298). Reached #2 on the US Classical charts.

THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL (1998)
Intro / Joy to the World / Stille Nacht (Silent Night) / The Dream / Crystal / Carol of the Bells / Messengers of Christmas / Greensleeves / Above the Northern Lights / Good King Wenceslas / Deck the Halls / Angels We Have Heard on High. Released on compact disc on October 27, 1998 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-1998). Reached #25 on the US charts and #1 on the US Top New Age charts (RIAA-certified platinum record).

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER MEETS THE MOUSE (1999)
Chim Chim Cher-ee / Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah / Under the Sea / Hakuna Matata / Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious / Go the Distance / The Ballad of Davy Crockett / Heigh-Ho / You’ve Got a Friend in Me / When You Wish Upon a Star / Reflection / Mickey Mouse March. Released on compact disc on March 16, 1999 in the US (American Gramaphone).

25 YEAR CELEBRATION (1999)
The Steamroller / Morning / Baroque-a-nova / Christmas Lullaby / Four Rows of Jacks / Chocolate Coffee / A Winter’s Day / Morning Blend / Interlude I / Reggae Manana Mon / Prelude-Chocolate Fudge / Slo Dancin’ in the Living Room // The Pines of Rome / Twilight at Rhodes / Zip-a-dee-doo-dah / The 7 Metas of Alchemy / Dancin’ in the Stars / Wassail, Wassail / The Fourth Door / Sonata Bach’s Lunch / The Holly & The Ivy / Eclectic Blue / Harp Seals / Kanbai / Ruslan and Ludmilla. Released on 2CD on August 24, 1999 in the US (American Gramaphone). Reached #168 on the US charts and #2 on the US Top New Age charts.

FRESH AIRE VIII (2000)
Greek Thinkers (Suite) / The Big Bang / Leonardo / Fractals / Waterfall / The Circle of Love / The Steamroller / The Heart & The Feather. Released on compact disc in 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone, 888). Reached #2 on the US Top New Age albums.

BOX SET (2000)
FRESH AIRE I / FRESH AIRE II / FRESH AIRE III / FRESH AIRE IV / FRESH AIRE V / FRESH AIRE VI / FRESH AIRE VII / FRESH AIRE VIII. Released on 8CD box set on November 14, 2000 in the US (American Gramaphone).

CHRISTMAS EXTRAORDINAIRE (2001)
Hallelujah / White Christmas / Away in a Manger / Faeries / Do You Hear What I Hear? / The First Noel / Silver Bells / Fum, Fum, Fum / Some Children See Him / Winter Wonderland / O Tannebaum / Auld Lang Syne. Released on compact disc on August 14, 2001 in the US (American Gramaphone, 1225). Reached #5 on the US charts (RIAA-certified 3x platinum record).

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION (2001)
CHRISTMAS / A FRESH AIRE CHRISTMAS / CHRISTMAS IN THE AIRE / CHRISTMAS EXTRAORDINAIRE. Released on 4CD on October 30, 2001 in the US (American Gramaphone). Reached #5 on the US New Age charts (RIAA-certified gold record).

ROMANTIC MELODIES (2003)
Serenity / Sunday Morning Breeze / Bittersweet / Slo Dancin’ in the Living Room / Kanbai / The Sign of Love / Teardrops, Raindrops / Chakra 4 / Amber / The Seven Stars of the Big Dipper / Moonlight at Cove Castle / Nepenthe. Released on compact disc on January 21, 2003 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG214-2). Reached #41 on the US charts.

AMERICAN SPIRIT (2003)
Star Spangled Banner / American Spirit / America the Beautiful / Convoy / Fanfare for the Common Man / Yellowstone Morning / Heritage / Wolf Creek Pass / Home on the Range / Mt. McKinley / Cloudburst / Tin Type / Battle Hymn of the Republic. Co-credited to C.W. McCall and released on compact disc on May 20, 2003 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG1776-2). Reached #78 on the US charts.

HALLOWEEN (2003)
Toccata in De Mole / Hall of the Mountain King / Harvest Dance / The Flying Dutchman / Z-Row Gravity / Funeral March of a Marionette / Rock & Roll Graveyard / Night on Bald Mountain / Crystal / All Hallow’s Eve / The Sorcerer’s Apprentice / Rite of Twilight / Ride of the Valkyries. Released on 2CD on September 23, 2003 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG1031-2) with bonus disc of sound effects. Reached #53 on the US charts.

HALLOWEEN MONSTER MIX (2004)
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice / Enchanted Forest / Hall of the Mountain King / The Other Side / Harvest Dance / Enchanted Forest II / The Reaper / Night On Bald Mountain / Ghost Voices / Enchanted Forest III / Crystal / Mountain King / Night Ambience / Full Moon / Enchanted Forest IV / The Flying Dutchman. Released on compact disc on October 5, 2004 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG1032-2). Reached #65 on the US charts and #1 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION (2004)
Celebration / Christmas Lullaby / Deck the Halls / Veni Veni / Away in a Manger / Hallelujah / O Tannenbaum / Wassail, Wassail / Carol of the Birds / God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen / Greensleeves / Traditions of Christmas / Good King Wenceslas / Carol of the Bells / Auld Lang Syne / Fum, Fum, Fum / Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Released on compact disc on October 12, 2004 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG-2020-2). Reached #19 on the US charts (RIAA-certified platinum record).

ROMANTIC THEMES (2004)
Love Is Blue / Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet / The Circle of Love / Sunday Morning Coffee / The Pines of Rome III / Sonata / Yam Seng…Love / Second Movement (Andante) from Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K467 / Teddys and Hearts / The 7 Colours of the Rainbow / Velvet Tear / Cavatina. Released on compact disc in 2004 in the US (American Gramaphone, 215). Reached #172 on the US charts and #1 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMAS SWEET MEMORIES (2005)
Faeries / Good King Wenceslas / Traditions of Christmas / Pat a Pan / Joseph Dear Oh Joseph Mine / Los Peces en el Rio / Veni Veni (O Come O Come Emanuel) / The First Noel / Gagliarda / Joy to the World / My Little Christmas Tree / O’ Little Town of Bethlehem / Away in a Manger / Jingle Bells. Released on compact disc in 2005 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG8405-2).

HALLOWEEN 2: CREATURE COLLECTION (2006)
Creatures of the Night / ”The Addams Family” Theme Song / ”Psycho” Theme Song / ”Dark Shadows” Theme Song / Superstition / ”The Outer Limits” Theme Song / Monster Mash / Trick or Treat / ”Dr.Who” Theme Song / ”The X Files” Theme Song / Black Magic Woman / ”The Munsters” Theme Song / Mummy Walk (Psilvu Sahara) // Devil’s Oath / Midnight Carnival / Go to the Light / Purgatory’s Pond / Cosmic Flatliner / Demon’s Dance / Alien Space Battle / Creatures of the Night (Creatures Lift Off Mix) / Creatures of the Night (Baltimore Mix) / Creatures of the Night (Techno Mix UK) / Creatures of the Night (Creatures Original Mix). Released on 2CD+DVD on September 12, 2006 in the US (American Gramaphone). Reached #68 on the US charts and #1 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMAS SONG (2007)
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow / Christmas Song / Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / Feliz Navidad / Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue / Masters in This Hall / Above the Northern Lights / Frosty the Snowman / Traditions of Christmas / Christmas Lullaby / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Released on compact disc on October 9, 2007 in the US (American Gramaphone). Reached #5 on the US charts and #1 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS (2007)
CHRISTMAS EXTRAORDINAIRE / CHRISTMAS IN THE AIRE / CHRISTMAS. Released as 3CD boxed tin set in 2007 in the US (American Gramaphone, 4525). Reached #92 on the US charts and #2 on the US New Age charts.

A CANDLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS (2008)
Veni Veni / O’ Little Town of Bethlehem / Christmas Lullaby / Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming / Joseph Dear Oh Joseph Mine / The First Noel / The Holly and the Ivy / Coventry Carol / Herbei, Oh Ihr Glaubigen / Away in a Manger. Released on compact disc in 2008 in the US (American Gramaphone, 1220). Reached #68 on the US charts and #1 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMASVILLE (2008)
Christmas Fanfare / Messengers of Christmas / Welcome Christmas / You’re a Mean One, Mr.Grinch / Where Are You Christmas? / (Everybody’s Waitin’ for) The Man With the Bag / Something You Should Know / Humbugs / The Fruitcake Song / The Sign of Love / Trim Up the Tree / Welcome Christmas (Reprise). Released on compact disc on October 7, 2008 in the US (American Gramaphone, AG1231-2). Reached #48 on the US charts and #2 on the US New Age charts.

CHRISTMAS 25^TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION (2009)
Faeries / Gagliardi / My Little Christmas Tree / We Three Kings / Joseph Dear, Oh Joseph Mine / It Came Upon the Midnight Clear / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / Joy to the World / The First Noel / Pat a Pan / Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow / Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) // Traditions of Christmas (Music Box) / Messengers of Christmas / Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming / Winter Wonderland / The Christmas Song / Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Above the Northern Lights / Jingle Bells / The Holly and the Ivy / Little Drummer Boy / Still, Still, Still / O’ Little Town of Bethlehem. Released on 2CD on October 13, 2009 in the US (American Gramaphone).

CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY (2011)
Deck the Halls / Greensleeves / Little Drummer Boy / The Holly and the Ivy / Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) / Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing Fanfare / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gagliarda / In Dulci Jubilo / Wassail, Wassail / Carol of the Birds / I Saw Three Ships / God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen / God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Rock) / Angels We Have Heard on High / Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Released on compact disc on October 11, 2011 in the US (American Gramaphone).