Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album
Chicago 25: The Christmas Album is the nineteenth studio album by the American band Chicago, their twenty-fifth overall, released in 1998 on the band's Chicago Records label. It is an album of Christmas songs. The album was re-issued by Rhino Records in 2003 as What's It Gonna Be, Santa? with six additional, newly recorded tracks.
Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 25, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 50:50 | |||
Label | Chicago Records | |||
Producer | Roy Bittan | |||
Chicago chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic |
What's It Gonna Be, Santa? | |
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Studio album by Chicago | |
Released | October 14, 2003 |
Recorded | 1998 and 2003 |
Genre | Rock, Adult contemporary |
Length | 74:33 |
Label | Rhino |
Producer | Roy Bittan (1998 tracks) and Phil Ramone (2003 tracks) |
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic |
Produced by Roy Bittan, the original album – featuring Chicago's interpretations of well-known Christmas classics plus one original tune (co-penned by Lee Loughnane) – was very well received upon its release in August 1998, peaking at #47 in the US and going gold during a stay of 7 weeks on the charts. After Chicago entered into a long-term partnership with Rhino Records in 2002, that label re-issued Chicago XXV: The Christmas Album that same year. It was further decided to record six additional Christmas songs – with Hot Streets and Chicago 13 producer Phil Ramone – and re-issue the whole package in 2003 under a new design, title and sequencing, entitled What's It Gonna Be, Santa?, deleting its predecessor in the process. Guitarist Keith Howland sang his first lead vocal on the track, "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas". This later release reached #102 in the US during a stay of 5 weeks on the charts.