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Christmas Island
Studio album by Leon Redbone
Released	1988
Recorded	1988
Studio	Manhattan Recording Company
Genre	Jazz, Christmas music
Length	30:19
Label	August Private Music
Producer	Beryl Handler, Leon Redbone
Leon Redbone chronology
No Regrets (1988) Christmas Island (1988) Sugar (1990)

Christmas Island is an album by the musician Leon Redbone. It was released in 1988, with a rerelease the following year.

The title track has been mentioned in many works of fiction.

Production

The album was recorded in three days. Redbone picked songs that he thought would appeal to listeners who didn't usually enjoy Christmas music. He duetted with Dr. John on "Frosty the Snowman". "Winter Wonderland" contains a dobro solo. "Christmas Ball Blues" is a version of the song made popular by Bessie Smith.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Robert Christgau	B+
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide
Orlando Sentinel

Robert Christgau wrote: "Beyond sacred schlock-by-association and rock and roll gifts, Christmas is a pop holiday that plays best in the background, which suits Redbone's forgettable old-timey lassitude." The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that, "with a deep, wavery delivery, the growl-voiced blues-folkie comes across as a kind of Crosby on Quaaludes." The St. Petersburg Times stated that Redbone's "trademark laconic style puts an entirely new spin on these tunes."

The Washington Post determined that "after a while the effortless renditions start sounding too similar." The Los Angeles Times deemed the album "sultry, desert-island swing." The Orlando Sentinel noted the "bittersweet" atmosphere, writing that the songs are "exceptional, true-to-the-original versions." The Toronto Sun opined that Redbone's "cornball style is tailor-made for traditional hokum."

AllMusic praised Redbone's "joyous performance."

Track listing

Personnel

Musicians

• Leon Redbone – vocals, guitar
• Dr John – piano, vocals, percussion
• Terry Waldo – piano, vocals
• John Gill – drums, banjo, bass saxophone, string arranger
• Brian Nalepka – double bass, accordion
• Cindy Cashdollar – dobro, vocals
• Bobby Gordon – clarinet
• Richard Henrickson, George Wozniak, Kathryn Kienke – violins
• Doug Epstein, Betsy – vocals
• Santa – bells, chimes, sleigh bells

Technical

• Leon Redbone, Beryl Handler – producers
• Doug Epstein – engineer, mixing engineer
• Jim Lloyd – mastering engineer
• Leon Redbone – cover design, concept
• Mark Larson – art direction, design
• Elsa Bouman – artwork
• Tish Fried – artwork coordinator
• Scott Weiner, Laura Levine – photography

References

1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/christmas-island-mw0000652785#releases
2. Gundersen, Edna (2 Dec 1988). "It's a new age for classics". USA Today. p. 4D.
3. Campbell, Mary (1 Dec 1990). "Old bluesman Redbone offers Christmas album". Vancouver Sun. p. H11.
4. Cuddihy, Kevin; Metcalfe, Phillip (October 1, 2005). Christmas's Most Wanted™: The Top 10 Book of Kris Kringles, Merry Jingles, and Holiday Cheer. Potomac Books, Inc. ISBN 9781574889680.
5. Hiltbrand, David (Dec 11, 1989). "Picks & Pans—Song". People. Vol. 32, no. 24. p. 29.
6. ^ Heim, Chris (2 Dec 1988). "Leon Redbone brings his trademark old timey sound ...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 82.
7. ^ Henderson, Bill (1 Dec 1989). "Leon Redbone, Christmas Island". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 21.
8. Abrahams, Peter (June 29, 2011). Revolution #9. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307800787.
9. Buckley, Julia (September 6, 2016). Cheddar Off Dead. Penguin. ISBN 9780698166745.
10. Garbera, Katherine (November 21, 2017). Once Upon a Texas Christmas. Tule Publishing. ISBN 9781947636767.
11. Boren, Ray; Wadley, Carma (December 14, 1990). "Christmas Music: No Other Holiday Inspires a Broader Range of Melodies". Deseret News. p. W1.
12. Gilbert, Calvin (November 11, 1988). "Redbone mixes being humorist and being serious". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 12.
13. ^ Goldstein, Patrick (4 Dec 1988). "Holiday Hoopla". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 84.
14. Okamoto, David (18 Dec 1988). "Making music for Christmas". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. E1.
15. ^ "Leon Redbone Christmas Island". AllMusic.
16. ^ "Leon Redbone". Robert Christgau.
17. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 813.
18. MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 656.
19. Landry, Peter (1 Dec 1988). "The Sounds of Christmas". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D1.
20. Riccio, Richard (13 Dec 1991). "Everything old is new again". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 26.
21. Harrington, Richard (2 Dec 1988). "Sounding Out the Season". The Washington Post. p. N8.
22. Sakamoto, John (December 20, 1990). "It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas". Entertainment. Toronto Sun. p. 87.

• Leon Redbone albums
• 1988 Christmas albums
• Private Music albums