Mannheim Steamroller
From a most unlikely seed (advertising) grew a great tree in the "primedieval" forest: Mannheim Steamroller. Led by composer Chip Davis and featuring player of all things piano-like Jackson Berkey, the group released a quartet of ambitious, impeccable-sounding albums under the Fresh Aire aegis. Beginning as all good things with Spring, the group sought to convey the mood of the four seasons in Fresh Aire I through IV -- summer, fall and winter ensued, as Mannheim's fortunes did improve. After a delightful Christmas album, the medieval touches that were a Mannheim hallmark began to disappear in favor of electronic and light classical music. Chip Davis has since moved the brand into the modern age, tackling environmental topics (Saving the Wildlife), new age mysticism (Fresh Aire VII), and even the music of Disney. These days, Christmas music is pretty much all they make, though they've managed to spin it into a steady business.
| Date | ALBUMS / Singles |
|---|---|
| 1975 | FRESH AIRe |
| 1977 | FRESH AIRe II |
| 1979 | FRESH AIRE III |
| 1981 | FRESH AIRE IV |
| 1981 | FRESH AIRE INTERLUDES |
| 1983 | FRESH AIRE V |
| 1984 | CHRISTMAS |
| 1984 | Silent Night |
| 1986 | FRESH AIRE VI |
| 1986 | SAVING THE WILDLIFE |
| 1988 | A FRESH AIRE CHRISTMAS |
| 1989 | YELLOWSTONE: THE MUSIC OF NATURE |
| 1990 | FRESH AIRE 7 |
| 1990 | The 7 Metals of Alchemy |
| 1990 | The 7 Colours of the Rainbow |
| 1993 December 18 | LATIN CHRISTMAS, VOL. 1 |
| 1993 December 20 | LATIN CHRISTMAS, VOL. 2 |
| 1995 | Angels We Have Heard On High |
| 1995 | Joy To The World |
| 1997 September 17 | A MANNHEIM MASSAGE |
| 1998 October 13 | RENAISSANCE HOLIDAY |
| 1998 October 27 | THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL |
| 1999 March 16 | MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER MEETS THE MOUSE |
| 1999 August 24 | 25 YEAR CELEBRATION |
| 2000 | FRESH AIRE VIII |
| 2000 November 14 | BOX SET: FRESH AIRE |
| 2001 August 14 | CHRISTMAS EXTRAORDINAIRE |
| 2001 October 30 | CHRISTMAS COLLECTION |
| 2003 January 21 | ROMANTIC MELODIES |
| 2003 May 23 | AMERICAN SPIRIT |
| 2003 September 23 | HALLOWEEN |
| 2004 October 5 | HALLOWEEN MONSTER MIX |
| 2004 October 12 | CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION |
| 2004 | ROMANTIC THEMES |
| 2005 | CHRISTMAS SWEET MEMORIES |
| 2006 September 12 | HALLOWEEN 2: CREATURES COLLECTION |
| 2007 October 9 | CHRISTMAS SONG |
| 2008 | A CANDLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS |
| 2008 October 7 | CHRISTMASVILLE |
| 2009 October 13 | CHRISTMAS 25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION |
| 2011 October 11 | CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY |
SEE ALSO...
JACKSON BERKEY discography
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