Maps of Music

The Classic Christmas Album (2015)

Where the lyrics of The Classic Christmas Album take you, and where it was really made.

Several tracks on this Christmas reissue were first released earlier, between 1990 and 2009.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

The Classic Christmas Album is an expanded reissue of Earth, Wind & Fire's 21st studio album, Holiday
Released in 2015 by Sony/Legacy, with a release date of 2 October 2015
Holiday serves as the base album, and this release adds material to it
The reissue is a holiday collection rather than a new studio record
Its track list mixes songs that had appeared on earlier compilations and releases

Holiday is the band's 21st studio album
Some songs on this reissue had already been released before 2015 in other settings
The earliest of these tracks dates to 1990, and the latest single to 2009
One track was recorded in 1991 but first appeared on a 2007 album by Full Force
The Christmas theme links the older and newer material under one title

1	Joy to the World	4:14
2	Happy Seasons	4:00
3	O Come All Ye Faithful	6:09
4	Winter Wonderland	3:43
5	What Child Is This?	3:34
6	Away in a Manger	2:56
7	The Little Drummer Boy	2:52
8	Every Day Is Like Christmas	3:29
9	The First Noel	4:28
10	Sleigh Ride	2:58
11	Snow	2:32
12	Jingle Bell Rock	3:10
13	December	3:39
14	I Asked for a Miracle (God Gave Me You)	4:49
15	One World	4:19

Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Maurice White, originating out of the Salty Peppers.
Known for a kalimba sound, a dynamic horn section, elaborate stage shows, and the contrast between Philip Bailey's falsetto and Maurice White's tenor.
Music spans jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop.

Prominent members include Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk.
Maurice White, the founder, died on February 4, 2016.

Among the best-selling bands ever, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
Won six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
Received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, becoming the first Black group to be inducted.
Had a hiatus from mid-1984 to mid-1987.

Expanded reissue of Holiday, Earth, Wind & Fire's 21st studio album
Released in 2015 by Sony/Legacy; the release date is listed as 2 October 2015
The track list draws on material from several earlier compilations and releases
"Gather Round" first appeared on Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection in 2005
"Get Your Hump On This Christmas" was released as a single in 2009
"I Asked for a Miracle (God Gave You Me)" was recorded in 1991 and later appeared on the 2007 Full Force album Legendary
"Open Your Heart to Love" first came out on the 1997 compilation 'Tis The Season
"One World" first came out on Music Speaks Louder Than Words in 1990
Critics gave the album favourable reviews; Robert Christgau exclaimed "Why the hell not?" about it

Favourable critical reception is the only evaluation recorded in the source
Christgau's short verdict is the one individual critical reaction on record
The source gives no further critical detail on individual reviewers or publications

"Get Your Hump On This Christmas" was featured in the Cleveland Show episode "A Cleveland Brown Christmas", which aired on December 13, 2009
"I Asked for a Miracle" was recorded in 1991 and later appeared on the 2007 Full Force album Legendary
"Gather Round" first came out on Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection in 2005
"Open Your Heart to Love" and "One World" were both first released on earlier compilations, in 1997 and 1990