1990 Barry Manilow – Because It’s Christmas
Because It’s Christmas is the first of three Christmas-themed albums released by singer-songwriter Barry Manilow. The album was released in 1990 and was a huge success, becoming Manilow’s first platinum album in the United States since 1980’s Barry. It also began a period in Manilow’s career in which he recorded cover albums. Each album would focus on a particular style of music. He continued this pattern until the release of Here at the Mayflower in 2001.
The version of “Jingle Bells” on the album is a cover of the 1943 recording by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters with the girl group Exposé taking the Andrews Sisters’ part. The album also finally included his perennial favorite New Years Eve song “It’s Just Another New Years Eve”.
Because It’s Christmas was the best-selling Christmas album of 1990 in the U.S. The album peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, and spent five weeks at number 1 on Billboard magazine’s special, year-end, weekly Christmas Albums sales chart in December 1990 and January 1991.
On July 19, 2002, Because It’s Christmas was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of one million copies in the U.S.
Tracks
1 The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé; Robert Wells) 03:53
2 Jingle Bells (Traditional) 02:39
3 Silent Night / I Guess There Ain’t No Santa Claus (Traditional; Johnny Mercer; Ed Arkin; Barry Manilow) 05:18
4 The First Noel / When The Meadow Was Bloomin’ (Traditional; Johnny Mercer; Barry Manilow) 05:00
5 Excerpt From Handel’s Messiah (“For Unto Us A Child Is Born…”) / Because It’s Christmas (For All The Children) (Barry Manilow; Bruce Sussman; Jack Feldman) 05:27
6 Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Frank Loesser) 05:19
7 White Christmas (Irving Berlin) 01:28
8 Carol Of The Bells / The Bells Of Christmas (Peter Wilhousky; Mykola Leontovych; Barry Manilow; Adrienne Anderson) 04:52
9 Joy To The World / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Traditional; Hugh Martin; Ralph Blane) 03:45
10 We Wish You A Merry Christmas / It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve (Traditional; Barry Manilow; Marty Panzer) 04:47
Biography
Musicians
Bass | John Patitucci |
Drums | Vinnie Colaiuta |
Guitar | Ed Arkin |
Keyboards | Randy Kerber |
Synthesizer | Randy Kerber |
Trumpet | Jerry Hey |
Vibraphone | Gene Estes |
Vocals | Barry Manilow |
Other Musicians
2 Jingle Bells
Vocals | Exposé |
Percussion | Alan Estes |
3 Silent Night / I Guess There Ain’t No Santa Claus
Guitar | Russ Freeman |
6 Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Vocals | KT Oslin |
Vocals – Hamilton High School Madrigal Singers (Track 8)
Liner Notes
Producer – Ed Arkin
Arranged By – Ed Arkin
Arranged By (Brass) – Jerry Hey
Arranged By (Orchestra) – Ed Arkin
Conductor – Lynn Levine
Contractor – Sandy de Crescent
Edited By – Robert Vosgien
Mixed By – Don Murray
Mixed By – Allen Sides (Track 4)
Mastered By – Wally Traugott
Recorded By – Allen Sides (Track 4)
Recorded By – Don Murray
Art Direction, Design – Carolyn Quan
Photography – Greg Gorman
Edited At CMS Digital, Pasadena
Mastered At Capitol Studios, Hollywood
Recorded At Westlake Audio
Recorded At Oceanway, Hollywood
Recorded At Sunset Sound, Hollywood
Recorded At Capitol Studios, Hollywood
Recorded At Digital Recorders, Nashville
Phonographic Copyright Arista Records Inc
Copyright Arista Records Inc