Christmas in the Stars: Difference between revisions
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The album was produced by [[Meco|Meco Monardo]] (who had previously recorded ''[[Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk]]''), with the hope that this would be the first in a series of annual ''Star Wars'' Christmas albums. The majority of the album's original songs were written by [[Maury Yeston]], a [[Yale University]] music professor who went on to become a [[Tony Award]]-winning [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical composer. |
The album was produced by [[Meco|Meco Monardo]] (who had previously recorded ''[[Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk]]''), with the hope that this would be the first in a series of annual ''Star Wars'' Christmas albums. The majority of the album's original songs were written by [[Maury Yeston]], a [[Yale University]] music professor who went on to become a [[Tony Award]]-winning [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical composer. |
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The album is notable for featuring the first professional recording of [[Jon Bon Jovi]] (credited as "John Bongiovi", his birth name), who sang lead vocals on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas." His cousin [[Tony Bongiovi]] co-produced the album and ran the recording studio at which it was recorded, where Jon was working sweeping floors at the time.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews | Meco<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
The album is notable for featuring the first professional recording of [[Jon Bon Jovi]] (credited as "John Bongiovi", his birth name), who sang lead vocals on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas." His cousin [[Tony Bongiovi]] co-produced the album and ran the recording studio at which it was recorded, where Jon was working sweeping floors at the time.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews | Meco<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226184851/http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp |date=2011-12-26 }}</ref> |
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After the first printing of 150,000 copies, Meco was asked to allow [[George Lucas]]' name to be credited beside his under "Concept by". Due to the success of the album, the studios were ready to do a second printing, which would give Lucas credit. But before the second record printing could be done, [[RSO Records]] shut down due to an unrelated lawsuit.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> |
After the first printing of 150,000 copies, Meco was asked to allow [[George Lucas]]' name to be credited beside his under "Concept by". Due to the success of the album, the studios were ready to do a second printing, which would give Lucas credit. But before the second record printing could be done, [[RSO Records]] shut down due to an unrelated lawsuit.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://www.starwars.com/news/when-it-comes-to-christmas-music-is-there-anything-better-than-christmas-in-the-stars-trick-question Official StarWars.com database entry for the album] |
* [http://www.starwars.com/news/when-it-comes-to-christmas-music-is-there-anything-better-than-christmas-in-the-stars-trick-question Official StarWars.com database entry for the album] |
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* [ |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111226184851/http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp An interview with album creator, Meco, with his thoughts on the album.] |
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* [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000033VG The 1996 CD release on Amazon.com.] |
* [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000033VG The 1996 CD release on Amazon.com.] |
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Revision as of 15:28, 6 August 2017
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| Allmusic |    [1] |
Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album is a record album produced in 1980 by RSO Records. It features recordings of Star Wars-themed Christmas songs and stories about a droid factory where the robots make toys year-round for "S. Claus".
Much of the album is sung and narrated by British actor Anthony Daniels, reprising his role as C-3PO from the Star Wars films. Sound designer Ben Burtt also provided sound effects for R2-D2 and Chewbacca.
Production
The album was produced by Meco Monardo (who had previously recorded Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk), with the hope that this would be the first in a series of annual Star Wars Christmas albums. The majority of the album's original songs were written by Maury Yeston, a Yale University music professor who went on to become a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical composer.
The album is notable for featuring the first professional recording of Jon Bon Jovi (credited as "John Bongiovi", his birth name), who sang lead vocals on the song "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas." His cousin Tony Bongiovi co-produced the album and ran the recording studio at which it was recorded, where Jon was working sweeping floors at the time.[2]
After the first printing of 150,000 copies, Meco was asked to allow George Lucas' name to be credited beside his under "Concept by". Due to the success of the album, the studios were ready to do a second printing, which would give Lucas credit. But before the second record printing could be done, RSO Records shut down due to an unrelated lawsuit.[2]
Track listing
- "Christmas in the Stars" – 3:17
- "Bells, Bells, Bells" – 3:15
- "The Odds Against Christmas" – 3:04
- "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)" – 3:24
- "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas" – 3:16
- "Sleigh Ride" – 3:36
- "Merry, Merry Christmas" – 2:09
- "A Christmas Sighting ('Twas the Night Before Christmas)" – 3:43
- "The Meaning of Christmas" – 8:08
Release
LP and Cassette
The complete album was released by RSO records on LP and Cassette in November 1980, to cash in on the increasingly popular Star Wars saga. This original printing featured cover art by the Star Wars film's production artist, Ralph McQuarrie. The cassette version is now quite hard to come by.
Also in 1980, RSO released a 45 of "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)" (credited to The Star Wars Intergalactic Droid Choir and Chorale) b/w "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with a picture sleeve.[3] In late 1983, a second 45 from the album was released by Polygram on the RSO label, "R2D2's Sleigh Ride" b/w "Christmas in the Stars", also with a picture sleeve.[citation needed]
This album was one of the music industry's first non-classical-or-jazz projects to be recorded and mixed digitally, and when "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)" reached No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980[4] it was only the third digitally recorded single in the chart's history.[citation needed]
CD
In November 1990, Polydor Records Japan released a 3-inch CD single featuring the songs "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Christmas in the Stars".[5]
The album made its CD debut in 1994 as an unheralded budget-label release by JFC/Polygram Special Markets with all artwork and references to Star Wars (except for those in the song titles) removed from the packaging. The only credit on the package was "Meco" and it featured a generic cover photo of Christmas boxes and decorations.[6]
In October 1996, during the popularity of the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire project, the album was re-released on CD by Rhino Records with Ralph McQuarrie's cover art restored.[7]
References
- ^ allmusic ((( Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album > Overview )))
- ^ a b TheForce.Net - Jedi Council - Interviews | Meco Archived 2011-12-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Star Wars Intergalactic Droid Choir and Chorale - What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)".
- ^ "Music:Top 100 Songs - Billboard Hot 100 Chart".
- ^ "Star Wars Christmas Featuring John Bongiovi* - R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas (CD) at Discogs".
- ^ "Christmas In The Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album Soundtrack CD Album".
- ^ "Meco* - Christmas In The Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album (CD, Album) at Discogs".