New songs added to 'Steamrolled' favorites

The last time Mannheim Steamroller played its Christmas extravaganza in Utah was 2004, and bandleader/drummer Chip Davis says he has missed playing here.

"Salt Lake is a second home to us," Davis said by phone from his home in Omaha, Neb. "In fact, I think the first show we played outside of our hometown was Salt Lake City. I know it's been a long time since we've been there, and we're looking forward to coming."

The band will be supporting its new album, "Christmas Song." And in the tradition of Mannheim Steamroller, the album features "Streamrolled" versions of such classic holiday songs as "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," just to name a few.

But the album also features some new songs written by Davis for his son and daughter. He also arranged two other songs specifically for his wife and another daughter. "It was my gift to them. I want to be able to leave something personal for them."

The new song, "Catching Snowflakes," was inspired by seeing his son, Kevin, playing in the snow. "Christmas Lullaby," which features guest vocalist Olivia Newton-John, was written for his daughter, Kelly, who likes the quiet pieces of music. "My wife gets nostalgic when Christmas comes. So I arranged 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' in a big band-ballad sort of way."

Davis explained his arrangement of "Feliz Navidad," which is for his daughter, Elyse. "One Christmas season, my family was in San Antonio, Texas. We rented a boat and went down the San Antonio River. We were also able to hire a mariachi band. So there we were, the four of us and 13 musicians on this boat going down the river. The band began singing 'Feliz Navidad.' But as the song progressed, my daughter began glaring at them. So, the band, trying to get her involved, moved closer to her. She ended up under a table in the boat, very angry.

"Well, we came to find out that she thought the band was singing 'Elyse Navidad.' She thought they were mocking her. So I thought it would be fun to arrange 'Feliz Navidad' for her. It still didn't make her any happier. But it's done and I like it, much to her chagrin."

The live show, said Davis, hasn't changed much, although there are new songs in the set list. "Christmas has always been about tradition. A few years ago, someone asked me if I was going to change things around for the live show. I immediately thought that the show must be getting stale and that I needed to freshen it up. But the more I thought, the more I felt that if you change something too much, it isn't a tradition.

"So, what I have done in the past is try to find the balance between tradition and change. I mean, the songs we play have to be recognized as Mannheim Steamroller versions. And there are songs that need to be in the mix. If we don't play 'Deck the Halls,' there will be a mutiny in the audience. But at the same time, I do like to play more obscure Christmas songs. It gives them new life but keeps the Christmas tradition alive in our show."

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If you go . . .

What: Mannheim Steamroller

Where: E Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City

When: today, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $33-$88

Phone: 467-8499, 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com