CHICAGO


Christmas: What's It Gonna Be, Santa ?

(2003)



1. *Winter Wonderland 4'19
(Felix Bernard / Dick Smith)
Arranged by Robert Lamm
Previously unreleased
2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 3'28
"Navidad, Navidad, Navidad" on the Original Spanish Release
(Sammy Cahn / Julie Styne)
Arranged by Lee Loughnane
3.
*Jolly Old St. Nicholas 3'36
(Traditional)
Arranged by Keith Howland, Tris Imboden & Lance Morrison
Previously unreleased
4. Little Drummer Boy 4'05
(Katherine Davis / Henry Onorati / Harry Simeone)
Arranged by Arranged by James Pankow & Bill Champlin
5.
*This Christmas 4'04
(Donny Hathaway / Nadine McKinnor)
Arranged by Donny Hathaway
Previously unreleased
6. Feliz Navidad 4'16
(Jose Feliciano)
Arranged by Robert Lamm
7.
*Bethlehem 4'07
(Bill Champlin / Tamara Champlin)
Arranged by Bill Champlin
Previously unreleased
8. The Christmas Song 3'37
(Mel Torme / Robert Wells)
Arranged by Robert Lamm
9. O Come All Ye Faithful 4'46
(Traditional)
Arranged by Jason Scheff
10.
*Rudolf, The Red-Nosed Reindeer 3'45
(Johnny Marks)
Arranged by James Pankow
Previously Unreleased
11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4'02
(Hugh Martin / Ralph Blane)
Arranged by Keith Howland
12.
*Sleigh Ride 3'55
(Leroy Anderson / Mitchell Parish)
Arranged by Lee Loughnane
Previously Unreleased
13. Silent Night 3'19
(Traditional)
Arranged by James Pankow
14. What Child Is This ? 4'38
(Traditional)
Arranged by Bill Champlin
15. Christmas Time Is Here 3'47
(Lee Mendelson / Vince Guaraldi)
Arranged by Robert Lamm
16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3'23
(Traditional)
Arranged by Lee Loughnane
17. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 3'57
(Haven Gillespie / Fred Coots))
Arranged by Bill Champlin
18. Child's Prayer 3'23
(Lee Loughnane / John Durrill
Arranged by Lee Louhnane & Johnny Durrill
19. One Little Candle 1'24
(Larry Mysels / Joseph Maloy Roach)
Arranged by James Pankow
20. White Christmas 2'28
(Irving Berlin)
Arranged by Robert Lamm

* - Six New Tracks

Originally released in 1998 and produced by E Street Band pianist Roy Bittan, this heartwarming album glows with CHICAGO-style renderings of holiday classics such as "The Christmas Song", "Christmas Time Is Here", "White Christmas", and of course, "Let It Snow", which has become a perennial concert highlight for the band (played even during their summer tours). "It s a unique approach to songs that have been around forever", says trombonist James PANKOW of the album. "There's a lot of writing between the lines. The timeless melodies and lyrics to these songs are still intact. We ve kind of taken a left turn on some of the arrangements and, of course, put our personal brass stamp on them".

Total Time: 74:19


  • Jason Scheff - Bass, Lead & Background Vocals
  • Robert Lamm - Pianos, Keyboards, Percussion, Lead & Background Vocals
  • Bill Champlin - Pianos, Keyboards, Guitars
  • Keith Howland - Guitars
  • Lee Loughnane - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Guitar, Percussion, Background Vocals
  • James Pankow - Trombone, Percussion, Background Vocals
  • Walt Parazaider - Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
  • Tris Imboden - Drums, Percussion

    Additional Musicians:

  • Roy Bittan - Organ, Piano, Accordion, Keyboards, Synthesizer Drums
  • Tim Pierce - Acoustic Guitar, Guitar
  • Luis Conte - Percussion
  • Johnny Durrill - Synthesizer, Arranger
  • Larry Klimas - Baritone Sax
  • Tamara Champlin - Choir, Chorus
  • Alvin Chea - Choir, Chorus
  • Gia Ciambotti - Choir, Chorus
  • Gary Falcone - Choir, Chorus
  • Bobbi Page - Choir, Chorus
  • Carmen Twillie - Vocals (bckgr), Choir Director
  • Maxine Willard Waters - Choir, Chorus
  • Oren Waters - Choir, Chorus
  • Mona Lisa Young - Choir, Chorus
  • H.K. Dorsey - Choir, Chorus

    CHILDREN's CHORUS:

    Clark Gable
    Michael Amezcua
    Amity Addrisi
    Alex Bittan
    Jade Thacker
    Kayley Gable
    Kate Lamm
    Sean Lamm
    Dylan Loughnane
    River Loughnane
    Sarah Pankow
    Brittany Scott

    Phil Ramone - Producer
    Roy Bittan - Producer
    CHICAGO - Reissue Producer
    David McLees - Reissue Producer
    Donny Hathaway - Arranger
    Lance Morrison - Arranger
    Engineered & Mixed by Ed Thacker
    David Donnelly - Remastering
    Ryan Kelly - Conductor
    George Black - Programming
    GOLDMINE STUDIOS, Woodland Hills CA.
    Nick Lane - Brass Arrangement
    Mike Engstrom - Product Manager
    Cory Frye - Editorial Supervision
    Assisted by Posie Muliadi at
    RUMBO and Eric Ferguson at A&M
    Mixed at
    A&M STUDIOS, Hollywood AS
    Jeff Magid - Sound Supervision
    Production Coordinator: Valerie Pack
    Design and Art Direction - KOSH
    Linda Cobb - Art Direction
    Recorded by Roy Bittan
    HK MANAGEMENT - Howard Kaufman / Peter Schivarelli

    Recorded at A&M STUDIO, Hollywood, CA
    UMBO STUDIOS, Canoga Park, CA

    RHINO RECORDS Re-issue Date: October 14, 2003





    1. Winter Wonderland

      Sleigh bells ring, are you list'nin?
      In the lane, snow is glist'nin'
      A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland.

      Gone away is the blue bird, (blue bird)
      Here to stay is a new bird, (new bird)
      He sings a love song, (aha) as we go along (aha)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland.

      In the meadow we can build a snowman, (snowman)
      Then pretend that he is parson brown;
      He'll say, "are you married?" we'll say, "no man! (no man)
      But you can do the job when you're in town."

      Later on, we'll conspire
      As we dream by the fire (fire-fire)
      To face unafraid, (aha) the plans that we made (aha)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland.

      In the meadow we can build a snowman, (snowman)
      Then pretend that he is parson brown;
      He'll say, "are you married ?" we'll say, "no man! (no man)
      But you can do the job when you're in town."

      Later on, (later on) we'll conspire (we'll conspire)
      As we dream by the fire (as we're sittin' dreaming by the fire)
      To face unafraid, (aha) the plans that we made (aha)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland, (ah ah ah ah -)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland, (winter wonderland)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland, (walkin' in a)
      Walkin' in a winter wonderland.

      I was walkin',
      I was walkin',
      I was winter wonderland due last night.

      We were walkin,
      We were talkin'
      We were winter wonderland due last night. (yeah)

      Merry christmas
      Merry christmas to you.

    2. Let It Snow! Let It Snow ! Let It Snow !

      The weather outside is frightful
      But the fire is so delightful
      But since we've no place to go
      Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

      Doesn't show signs of stopping
      And I brought some corn for popping
      The lights are turned way down low
      Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

      Well they finally kissed goodnight
      Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
      But if you really hold me tight
      All the way home I'd be warm

      The fire is slowly dying
      And my dear we're still goodbying
      But as long as you me so
      let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

      Well they finally kissed goodnight
      Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
      But if you really hold me tight
      All the way home I'd be warm

      The fire is slowly dying
      And my dear we're still goodbying
      But as long as you me so
      let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

    3. Jolly Old St. Nicholas


    4. Little Drummer Boy

      Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
      A new born king to see, pa rum pum pum pum
      Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
      To lay before the king, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

      So to honor him, pa rum pum pum pum
      When we come

      Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum
      I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
      I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
      To lay before the king, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

      Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
      On my drum

      Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
      The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
      I played my drum for him, pa rum pum pum pum
      I played my best him, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

      Then he smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
      Me and my drum

    5. This Christmas


    6. Feliz Navidad

      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Prospero ano y Felicidad

      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Prospero ano y Felicidad

      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      From bottom of my heart

      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Prospero ano y Felicidad

      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Feliz Navidad
      Prospero ano y Felicidad

      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
      From bottom of my heart

    7. Bethlehem


    8. The Christmas Song

      Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
      Jack Frost nipping at your nose
      Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
      And folks dressed up like Eskimos

      Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
      Help to make the season bright
      Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
      Will find it hard to sleep tonight

      They know that Santa's on his way
      He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
      And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
      To see if reindeer really know how to fly

      So, I'm offering this simple phrase
      To kids from 1 to 92
      Although it's been said many times, many ways,
      Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to you
      Merry Christmas, yeah

    9. O Come All Ye Faithful

      O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
      O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
      Come and behold him, born the King of angels
      O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
      O come let us adore Him, Christ the lord

      Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation
      Sing all ye citizens of heaven above
      Glory to God, in highest glory
      O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
      O come let us adore Him, Christ the lord

      Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning
      Jesus, to thee be glory given
      Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing
      O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
      O come let us adore Him, Christ the lord

    10. Rudolf, The Red-Nosed Reindeer

      Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
      Had a very shiny nose
      And if you ever saw it
      You would even say it glows.

      All of the other reindeer
      Used to laugh and call him names.
      They never let poor Rudolph
      Join in any reindeer games.

      Then one foggy Christmas eve, santa came to say,
      "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

      Then how the reindeers loved him,
      And they shouted out with glee (they shout with glee)
      Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
      You'll go down in history.

      "Then how the reindeers loved him,
      They really, really loved him.
      They used to say, Rudolph, we love you !!
      And rudolph would say"

      Then one foggy Christmas eve, santa came to say,
      He said, "Santa,
      No he didn't, he said, "Rudolph, won't you guide my sleigh tonight ?"

      Well, then how the reindeer loved him,
      And they shouted out with glee
      Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
      You'll go down in history.

      Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
      Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,
      You'll go down in history.

    11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

      Have yourself a merry little Christmas
      Let your heart be light
      From now on our troubles will be out of sight

      Have yourself a merry little Christmas
      Make the Yule-tide gay
      From now on our troubles will be miles away

      Here we are, as in olden days, happy golden days of yore
      Faithful friends, who are dear to us, gather near to us once more

      Through the years we all will be together
      If the Fates allow
      Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
      And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

      Through the years we all will be together
      If the Fates allow
      Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
      And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

      Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
      And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

    12. Sleigh Ride


    13. Silent Night

      Silent night, holy night
      All is calm, all is bright
      Round yon virgin mother and child
      Holy infant so tender and mild
      Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace

    14. What Child Is This ?

      An angel+s song is sung
      Mary's time has come to pass
      The Lord will have a son
      Wise men come to welcome home the child

      What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap, is sleeping ?
      Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping ?

      This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing
      Haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary !

      An angel+s song is sung
      Mary's time has come to pass

      So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant king to own Him
      The King of kings, salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.

      Raise, raise the song on high, the Virgin sings her lullaby
      Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary !

      An angel+s song is sung
      Wise men come to welcome home the child

      What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap, is sleeping ?
      Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping ?

      An angel+s song is sung
      Mary's time has come to pass
      The Lord will have a son
      Wise men come to welcome home the child

    15. Christmas Time Is Here

      Christmas time is here
      Happiness and cheer
      Fun for all
      The children call their favorite time of year

      Snowflakes in the air
      Carols everywhere
      Olden times
      And ancient rhymes of love and dreams to share

      Sleigh bells in the air
      Beauty everywhere
      Yule-tide by the fireside
      And joyful memories there

      Christmas time is here
      Families drawing near
      Oh that we could always see such spirit
      Through the year

      Sleigh bells in the air
      Beauty everywhere
      Yule-tide by the fireside
      And joyful memories there

      Christmas time is here
      Families drawing near
      Oh that we could always see such spirit
      Through the year

    16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

      God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
      Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day
      To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
      O tidings of comfort and joy

      From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came
      And unto certain shepherds brought tiding to the same
      How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
      O tidings of comfort and joy
      O tidings of comfort and joy

      Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day
      O tidings of comfort and joy
      Comfort and joy
      O tidings of comfort and joy

      God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
      Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day

    Repeat

    17. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

      Saint Nick is comin', comin', comin'
      The fat man's comin' to town
      Saint Nick is comin', comin', comin'
      He's gonna be bringin' it down, down, down

      You better watch out
      You better not cry
      You better not pout, I'm telling you why
      Santa Claus is coming, he's coming to town

      Comin', comin', comin'
      The fat man's comin' to town

      He's making a list
      He's checking it twice
      He's gonna find who's naughty and nice
      Santa Claus is coming, he's coming to town tonight

      He sees you when you're sleeping
      He knows when you're awake
      He knows if you're been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake

      Saint Nick is comin', comin', comin'
      He's gonna be bringin' it down, down, down

      You better be cool
      Y'all gotta chill
      You better behave, you all know the drill
      Santa Claus is coming to town

      He sees you when you're sleeping
      He knows when you're awake
      He knows if you're been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake

      Saint Nick is comin', comin', comin'
      The fat man's comin' to town
      Saint Nick is comin', comin', comin'
      He's gonna be bringin' it down, down, down

    18. Child's Prayer

      Now I lay me down before I sleep
      Pray the Lord my soul to keep
      Stay with me, Jesus, through the night
      Till I wake in the morning light

      Merry, merry, Christmas

      Glory to the King

      Now I lay me down before I sleep
      Pray the Lord my soul to keep
      Stay with me, Jesus, through the night
      Till I wake in the morning light

      Christmas day is coming

      Glory to the King

      (la, la, la, la ...)

      Glory to the King

      Glory, glory, glory

      Glory to the King

      Lord bless us all it's Christmas day
      Peace on earth for this we pray
      Love is a gift we all must give
      Love is all (love is all) there is
      Love is all (love is all) there is
      Love is all (love is all) there is

    19. One Little Candle

      It is better to light just one little candle
      Than to stumble in the dark.
      Better far that you light just one little candle
      All you need is a tiny spark.
      If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be free
      A wonderful dawn of a new day we'd see
      And if everyone lit just one little candle
      What a bright world this would be
      What a bright world this would be

    20. White Christmas

      I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
      Just like the ones I used to know
      Where the treetops glisten
      And children listen
      To hear sleigh bells in the snow

      I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
      With ev'ry Christmas card I write
      May your days be merry and bright
      And may all your Christmases be white

      I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
      With ev'ry Christmas card I write
      May your days be merry and bright
      And may all your Christmases be white