1997 Various – ‘Tis The Season
This compilation released in 1997 features classic holiday songs performed by some of the best-known contemporary/pop artists. Highlights include “The First Noel” by Howard Hewett, “This Christmas” by Patti Austin, “The Christmas Song” by Jonathan Butler, plus tracks by Carl Anderson, Candy Dulfer, Jon Lucien, the Whispers and more. Also included is one new composition, “Open Your Heart to Love,” written and performed by Maurice White, former leader of Earth Wind And Fire.
Tracks
1 Howard – Hewett – The First Noel (William Sandys; Traditional) 05:48
2 Maysa Leak – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane; Hugh Martin) 05:35
3 Phil Perry – Away In A Manger (James R Murray; Traditional) 04:42
4 Patti Austin – This Christmas (Donny Hathaway; Nadine McKinnor) 04:26
5 Candy Dulfer – Silver Bells (Ray Evans; Jay Livingston) 05:15
6 Jonathan Butler – The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé; Robert Wells) 04:16
7 Deniece Williams – O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam; John Sullivan Dwight) 04:40
8 Maurice White – Open Your Heart To Love (Lilo Fadidas; Maurice White) 04:34
9 The Whispers – Merry Christmas Darling (Richard Carpenter; Frank Pooler) 05:03
10 Carl Anderson – I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Kim Gannon; Walter Kent; Buck Ram) 04:48
11 Jon Lucien – White Christmas (Irving Berlin) 03:54
Bonus Track
12 Maysa Leak & Keith Cross – Have Your Self A Merry Little Christmas (Keith Cross; Maysa Leak) 04:35
Musicians
1 The First Noel
| Guitar | Paul Jackson Jr |
| Keyboards | George Duke |
| Baby Jesus | Anissa Noelle Hewett |
| Vocals | Howard Hewett |
2 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
| Guitar | Paul Jackson Jr |
| Keyboards | George Duke |
| Vocals | Maysa Leak |
3 Away In A Manger
| Drum (programming) | Russ Freeman |
| Drum (programming) | David Kochanski |
| Keyboards | Russ Freeman |
| Keyboards | David Kochanski |
| Sax (Soprano) | Eric Marienthal |
| Vocals | Phil Perry |
4 This Christmas
| Drum (programming) | Russ Freeman |
| Drum (programming) | David Kochanski |
| Keyboards | Russ Freeman |
| Keyboards | David Kochanski |
| Background Vocals | Phil Perry |
| Vocals | Patti Austin |
5 Silver Bells
| Guitar | Paul Jackson Jr |
| Keyboards | George Duke |
| Background Vocals | Lynn Davis |
| Background Vocals | Lori Perry |
| Background Vocals | George Duke |
| Sax (Alto) | Candy Dulfer |
6 The Christmas Song
| Guitar | Paul Jackson Jr |
| Guitar | Jonathan Butler |
| Keyboards | George Duke |
| Herself | Jodi Butler |
| Vocals | Jonathan Butler |
7 O Holy Night
| Drum (programming) | Russ Freeman |
| Drum (programming) | David Kochanski |
| Guitar | Russ Freeman |
| Acoustic Guitars | Russ Freeman |
| Keyboards | Russ Freeman |
| Keyboards | David Kochanski |
| Vocals | Deniece Williams |
8 Open Your Heart To Love
| Bass | Keith Jones |
| Guitar | Lilo Fadidas |
| Sax | Donald Hayes |
| Background Vocals | Josie James |
| Background Vocals | Lynn Davis |
| Background Vocals | Maurice White |
| Vocals | Maurice White |
9 Merry Christmas Darling
| Guitar | Paul Jackson Jr |
| Keyboards | George Duke |
| Sax | Everette Harp |
| Vocals | The Whispers |
10 I’ll Be Home for Christmas
| Bass | Russ Freeman |
| Drum (programming) | Russ Freeman |
| Drum (programming) | David Kochanski |
| Keyboards | Russ Freeman |
| Keyboards | David Kochanski |
| Vocals | Carl Anderson |
11 White Christmas
| Guitar | Jon Lucien |
| Percussion | Russ Freeman |
| Vocals | Jon Lucien |
12 Have Your Self A Merry Little Christmas
| Rap | Keith Cross |
| Vocals | Maysa Leak |
Liner Notes
Producer – George Duke (Track 1, 2, 5, 6, 9)
Producer – Russ Freeman (Track 3, 4, 7, 10, 11)
Producer – Maurice White (Track 8)
Arranged By – George Duke (Track 1, 2, 5, 6, 9)
Arranged By – Russ Freeman (Track 3, 4, 7)
Arranged By – David Konchanski (Track 3, 4)
Arranged By – Lilo Fadidas (Track 8)
Recorded By – Erik Zobler, Russ Freeman, Paul Wickliffe, Paul Klingberg
Engineer (Additional) – Wayne Holmes
Engineer (Additional) – Brian Kinkel
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Mixed By – Erik Zobler, Russ Freeman, Carl Griffin, Paul Klingberg
Mastered At Sterling Sound
Mixed At Le Gonks West
Mixed At Cheyenne Mountain Ranch, Colorado
Mixed At Sunset Sound
Recorded At Le Gonks West
Recorded At Cheyenne Mountain Ranch, Colorado
Recorded At Jai Winding Productions Inc
Copyright N2K Encoded Music