Maps of Music

Christmas Spirit (2012)

Where the lyrics of Christmas Spirit take you, and where it was really made.

Five of this album's tracks had already appeared on a 2011 EP, and two of its new tracks became top 20 Adult Contemporary hits.

Key places

Recording at Sound Stage Studios, Nashville (2012)

Recording site Sound Stage Studios — Discogs lists Sound Stage Studios as one of the recording locations for this album. The album credits name several studios, so this point marks only this one. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Renegade Studios, Chicago (2012)

Recording site Chicago Recording Company — Discogs lists Renegade Studios as one of the recording locations for this album. The point is set at Chicago city center, not at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Christmas Spirit: Christmas seasonal album by Richard Marx, released October 2012
• Five tracks carried over from his 2011 release The Christmas EP
• Two of the new tracks became top 20 Adult Contemporary hits
• Duets with Kenny Loggins, Sara Watkins and Sara Niemietz
• Yielded five singles: "Christmas Spirit", "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", "The Little Drummer Boy", "Christmas Mornings" and "O Holy Night"

Background

• The album pairs songs from The Christmas EP with new recordings
• "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" is based on Casting Crowns' arrangement of the song from their Peace On Earth album
• Sara Watkins plays fiddle and sings lead on track 9
• Sara Niemietz sings lead on track 11

Recording

• Producer: Richard Marx
• Engineering and mixing: Justin Niebank (tracks 1 to 13 and 17), Matt Prock (tracks 14 to 16)
• Additional engineering by Drew Bollman, Chip Matthews, Seth Morton, Alan Parker, Matt Prock and Nate Yarborough
• Mastered by Benny Quinn at Benny Quinn Mastering in Nashville, Tennessee
• Musicians include Jason Webb, Michael Omartian, Jerry McPherson, Mark Hill and Steve Brewster
• Credits list Ocean Way Nashville, Sound Stage Studios, Blackbird Studio and Renegade Studios as recording locations

Cover

• Photography by Nels Isrealson

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born September 16, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois; American singer-songwriter.
• Only child of former singer Ruth and jazz musician Dick Marx, founder of a jingle company.
• Began his career at age five singing commercial jingles written by his father's company.
• At 17, a tape of his songs reached Lionel Richie, who encouraged him to move to Los Angeles.

Career

• Scored number one hits as a songwriter with "What About Me?" (1984) and "Crazy" (1985).
• Debut album (1987) went triple platinum; "Don't Mean Nothing" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Repeat Offender (1989) rose to No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and sold over 5 million copies in the US.
• "Right Here Waiting" reached No. 1 in several European countries and gave him his first UK top ten.
• Won a Grammy for Song of the Year for "Dance with My Father" co-written with Luther Vandross (2004).
• Has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and holds 14 Billboard number one singles as performer and songwriter.

Recent activity

• Released Songwriter (2022) and After Hours (2026).
• Became a coach on The Voice Australia in 2025.

Reception

Records

• Reached No. 181 on the Billboard 200 albums chart
• Reached No. 21 on the Billboard Top Christmas Albums chart
• Two new tracks became top 20 Adult Contemporary hits
• Five singles were released from the album
• Marx returned to the Billboard Adult Contemporary Top Ten with "Little Drummer Boy" in December 2012
• Five tracks first appeared on The Christmas EP in 2011
• Manufactured and distributed by INgrooves Fontana, made in the USA
• Barnes & Noble released the album again on 3 November 2023 with two previously released Christmas tracks

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Five of the album's tracks had already appeared on The Christmas EP in 2011.
• "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" is based on Casting Crowns' arrangement of the song from their Peace On Earth album.
• Barnes & Noble released the album on 3 November 2023 with two earlier Christmas tracks, "Holiday" and "Happy New Year, Old Friend".
• A candy cane vinyl edition was exclusive to Barnes & Noble.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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