Maps of Music

This Is the Time: The Christmas Album (1996)

Where the lyrics of This Is the Time: The Christmas Album take you, and where it was really made.

Michael Bolton's first Christmas album stopped at number 11, just outside the top 10, yet it was certified platinum in the United States.

Key places

WallyWorld Studios (1996)

Recording site Tarpan Studios — The album credits list WallyWorld Studios as a place where the album was recorded. The point uses the San Rafael city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Capitol Studios (1996)

Recording site Capitol Studios — The album credits list Capitol Studios in Hollywood as a recording place. The point is set at the studio location in Hollywood. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Passion Studios (1996)

Recording site Passion Studios — The album credits list Passion Studios as a recording place. The point uses the Westport city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Bennett House (1996)

Recording site Sound Kitchen — The album credits list The Bennett House as a recording place. The point uses the Franklin city centre, not the house itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Studio 33 (1996)

Recording site Music Factory (Hamburg) — The album credits list Studio 33 in Hamburg as a recording place. The point uses the Hamburg city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Michael Bolton's first Christmas release, issued October 1, 1996
• Two new songs: 'This Is the Time' (with Wynonna Judd) and 'Love Is the Power'
• The other eight tracks are covers of traditional and established Christmas songs
• 'Ave Maria' was performed with Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo
• 'White Christmas' was earlier a single from Timeless: The Classics and is included here too
• Enhanced CD with extra material viewable on a computer

Background

• Released during the Christmas season, aimed at the holiday market
• Ten tracks in total, including 'Silent Night', 'Joy to the World' and 'O Holy Night'
• Vocal duets with Plácido Domingo and Wynonna Judd are the album's main guest appearances

Recording

• Recorded at WallyWorld Studios, Passion Studios, Capitol Studios, The Bennett House, Ocean Way Recording and Studio 33 in Hamburg
• Mixed at WallyWorld Studios, Capitol Studios, The Enterprise, Barking Doctor Recording, Ocean Way Recording and The Bennett House
• Mastered at Sony Music Studios in New York City
• Walter Afanasieff produced tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10
• Johnny Mandel produced tracks 3 and 6, which feature an orchestra
• David Foster produced 'White Christmas' (track 8)
• Keith Thomas produced 'This Is the Time' (track 9)
• Michael Bolton is credited for vocals and arrangements on tracks 4 and 8
• Mariah Carey is credited for arrangements on tracks 4 and 7
• Dann Huff played guitars on several tracks

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

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1953, in New Haven, Connecticut.
• At age 14 he formed the group the Nomads, which was signed to a singles contract by Epic Records when he was 16.
• Began recording in 1975 at The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under his original family name Bolotin.
• Early career focused on hard rock; his band Blackjack once opened for Ozzy Osbourne on tour.

Career

• Anglicized his name to Bolton and gained his first major hit as a songwriter, co-writing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan.
• Recorded his own version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1988, reaching number one on the Hot 100.
• Achieved peak success as a pop ballad singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s with songwriters such as Diane Warren and Desmond Child.
• Covered Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" (1987) and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," a Grammy-winning cover on the 1991 album Time, Love & Tenderness.
• Faced a plagiarism suit from the Isley Brothers over "Love Is a Wonderful Thing," settled with a $4.2 million payment.
• Has sold more than 75 million records, with eight top 10 albums and two Billboard number-one singles.
• Later worked in television and film, appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and produced the documentary American Dream: Detroit.

Reception

At release

• Released October 1, 1996, during the Christmas season
• Reached number 11 on the chart, narrowly missing the top 10
• Issued as an enhanced CD in CD-EXTRA format with a multimedia portion
• The multimedia portion holds seven short backstage clips, each one minute or less
• Also includes a 3:27 video of Michael Bolton singing 'White Christmas' on stage before a live audience
• The video files are low-resolution QuickTime (.MOV) files
• Packaged in a standard jewel case with a clear tray
• Includes a 12-page booklet with lyrics and credits

Reappraisal

• The album reached the top of few charts and its chart run was short

Records

• Chart position: number 11, narrowly missing the top 10
• Certified platinum in the United States
• Released with the notice © 1996 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
• Mastered at Sony Music Studios in New York City

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The CD was enhanced, with computer-viewable material including a video of 'White Christmas', a discography and a preview of a Bolton CD-ROM
• The preview of the Bolton CD-ROM was never released
• The enhanced section holds seven short backstage clips and one live video of 'White Christmas'
• Plácido Domingo sings on 'Ave Maria', the only track with a guest tenor
• 'This Is the Time' was written by Bolton with Gary Burr

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

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