Fresh Aire 8

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The eighth installment in the Chip Davis-Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire series is actually a soundtrack for a video and DVD production that Davis (who's the composer, arranger, CEO, and Svengali behind all things Steamroller) developed concurrently with the music. Independent of the video, the music appears supplemental to the visuals because the 12 selections--the first track is carved up into a five-part "suite"--often struggle to deliver much lyricism or linear flow, making the audio-only experience a marginally interesting event, even for Mannheim loyalists. Always thematic affairs, the eighth Fresh Aire (involving the London Symphony) addresses infinity. Knock an 8 on its side and it becomes the symbol for infinity; it can also be turned into a stylish logo for the disc's commemorative T-shirt.

Davis takes a musical stab at infinite topics such as philosophy, big bang theory, math, art, etc. For the topic of music, Davis creates (and this is not a joke) an ode to "Steamy," a personified steamroller, and the track opens with an electronic hammer rhythmically whacking a synthesized rail. A bouncy saxophone line eventually follows and the liner notes tell us Steamy eventually is dancing with "Dreamy." Hmmm.... Davis aims for clean, wholesome, Disneyesque fun in his works, and that's commendable. Yet clean and wholesome can also be compelling and inventive. On its own, other than some exceptions such as the Middle Eastern-flavored "Night Party" in the opening suite, this music is neither. --Terry Wood

Fresh Aire 8,Mannheim Steamroller,American Gramaphone,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Fresh Aire 8

Fresh Aire 8
Fresh Aire 8
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not my first Steamroller
  • hard to say-
  • Aire 8 is a disappointment compared to the past ones.
  • An honest review.
  • Fresh Aire 8- A triumpant return after 10 years!
 Fresh Aire 8
Mannheim Steamroller
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Fresh Aire 7
  2. Fresh Aire VI
  3. Fresh Aire V
  4. Fresh Aire IV
  5. Fresh Aire III

ASIN: B00004WFMK
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

  1. Main Titles
  2. Greek Thinkers Suite (Infinity In Philosophy): Day Party
  3. Greek Thinkers Suite (Infinity In Philosophy): Interlude 8
  4. Greek Thinkers Suite (Infinity In Philosophy): Night Party
  5. Greek Thinkers Suite (Infinity In Philosophy): Goddesses In The Forest
  6. The Big Bang (Infinity In Cosmology)
  7. Leonardo (The Infinite Thinker)
  8. Fractals (Infinity In Mathematics)
  9. Waterfall (Infinity in Art)
  10. The Circle Of Love (Infinity In The Wedding Band)
  11. The Steamroller (Infinity In Music)
  12. The Heart & The Feather (Infinity In The Egyptian Afterlife)

Amazon.com

The eighth installment in the Chip Davis-Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire series is actually a soundtrack for a video and DVD production that Davis (who's the composer, arranger, CEO, and Svengali behind all things Steamroller) developed concurrently with the music. Independent of the video, the music appears supplemental to the visuals because the 12 selections--the first track is carved up into a five-part "suite"--often struggle to deliver much lyricism or linear flow, making the audio-only experience a marginally interesting event, even for Mannheim loyalists. Always thematic affairs, the eighth Fresh Aire (involving the London Symphony) addresses infinity. Knock an 8 on its side and it becomes the symbol for infinity; it can also be turned into a stylish logo for the disc's commemorative T-shirt.

Davis takes a musical stab at infinite topics such as philosophy, big bang theory, math, art, etc. For the topic of music, Davis creates (and this is not a joke) an ode to "Steamy," a personified steamroller, and the track opens with an electronic hammer rhythmically whacking a synthesized rail. A bouncy saxophone line eventually follows and the liner notes tell us Steamy eventually is dancing with "Dreamy." Hmmm.... Davis aims for clean, wholesome, Disneyesque fun in his works, and that's commendable. Yet clean and wholesome can also be compelling and inventive. On its own, other than some exceptions such as the Middle Eastern-flavored "Night Party" in the opening suite, this music is neither. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Not my first Steamroller.......2007-04-05

Way back about 10 years ago a friend of mine suggested Fresh Aire IV and V to me - I've been hooked ever since and could not imagine them getting better - but in INFINITY - they have broke the laws of time and space. You will be transported to another dimesion - excellent - surpurb - fantastic - wonderful - magical

3 out of 5 stars hard to say-.......2007-01-10

He wanted this cd to listen in the player we HAD ordered from Amazon, but waited TWO full months and no radio, so cancelled my order. Am not happy with Amazon.

2 out of 5 stars Aire 8 is a disappointment compared to the past ones........2006-09-07

I have been listening to Mannheim Steamroller for almost fifteen years now, and this last one seems like a person was throwing darts at a board...some hit the bulls eye area a few times, and some missed the board by a mile. In other words, if you have listened to 5, 6, and 7, then get 8. You'll like some of the songs. But I can't recommend it by itself, or as a starter for a Fresh Aire collection. It doesn't seem like as much effort was put into this one. Some of the songs seem too logical, not nearly creative enough. I will keep it as part of my collection, but I listen to 5 and 6 a lot more.

3 out of 5 stars An honest review........2004-10-22

Fresh Aire 8 was the first non-holiday, Mannheim Steamroller CD I purchased and at the time I thought the criticism against it was unfair. But after purchasing and listening to the rest of the Fresh Aire series, I understand where the long time fans of Chip's music are coming from.

Simply put Fresh 8 has a great concept (Infinity) but just is not executed up to the standards set by the prior 7 Fresh Aire albums. A few tracks stand out, 'Leonardo (The Infinite Thinker)' and 'Circle of Love (Infinity in the Wedding Band)' are exceptional tracks that in themselves validate the purchase of this album. Unfortunately the remaining tracks slide into mediocrity and keep this effort from being great.

Anyone looking to complete the Fresh Aire series should proceed without hesitation, but anyone looking to make the leap from Mannheim Holiday music to the Fresh Aire series should start elsewhere (I personally recommend Fresh Aire 7,5 & 2 as my favorites).

In conclusion, Fresh Aire 8 is good but doesn't stand up against the rest of the series.

1 out of 5 stars Fresh Aire 8- A triumpant return after 10 years!.......2002-07-31

If only it were. It seems that in the 10 years since the last Fresh Aire album Chip has forgotten to write good music. Take his releases since then: Impressions, which demonstrated one of the major faults in the last few years of the band (instead of Chip and his Band, Mannheim Steamroller became Chip and his Toys sometime during the late 80's); Christmans in the Aire which tried (yet again) to reclaim the glory (and sales) of his first Christmans release with the same formula and the opposite (read lack of) artistic direction; and then Christmas Live, which sounds EXACTLY the same as the studio tracks except with an audience clap track (and I went and saw them live...it was about as adult as Disney on Ice.)

Those were all fairly poor releases, but Fresh Aire 8 tops em all. In here are strange midi-arrangements hacked with seemingly little purpose, and tired melodies that don't seem to have any depth. I think the problem is that this was supposed to accompany a DVD that showed off the research behind Chip's musings about "infinity" (the albums theme), and in his old age he's forgetten how to write music thats very memorable. But if the albums songs were just forgettable, that would be one thing; the crime here is that even while you're listening to them you aren't enjoying the music. Definately not worth your time, even if you had "infinite."
Fresh Aire Collector's Box, Vol. 1-8
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Fresh Aire Collector's Box Set Vol 1 through 8
  • The best box ever
  • Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller: A Dream Work
  • Great Music for Exercise
  • Perfect Collection for ANYONE
 Fresh Aire Collector's Box, Vol. 1-8
Mannheim Steamroller
Manufacturer: American Gramaphone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
MeditationMeditation | New Age | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
ElectronicElectronic | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Box Sets | Stores | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Christmas Collection
  2. A Mannheim Massage
  3. Yellowstone: The Music of Nature
  4. 25 Year Celebration of Mannheim Steamroller
  5. Romantic Melodies

ASIN: B00004YR2P
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

  1. Prelude - The London Symphony Orchestra
  2. Chocolate Fudge
  3. Interlude I
  4. Sonata
  5. Interlude II
  6. Saras Band
  7. Fresh Aire
  8. Rondo
  9. Interlude III
  10. Pass the Keg (Lia)
  11. Interlude IV
  12. Mist

Tracks:

  1. Chorale
  2. First Door
  3. Second Door
  4. Third Door
  5. Fourth Door
  6. Fifth Door
  7. Sixth Door
  8. Door Seven
  9. Fantasy
  10. Interlude V
  11. Velvet Tear
  12. Shade Tree
  13. Toota Lute
  14. Going to Another Place

Tracks:

  1. Toccata
  2. Small Wooden Bach'ses
  3. Amber
  4. Mere Image
  5. Morning
  6. Interlude 6
  7. Cricket
  8. Sky
  9. Midnight on a Full Moon

Tracks:

  1. G Major Toccata
  2. Crystal
  3. Interlude 7
  4. Four Rows of Jacks
  5. Red Wine
  6. Dancing Flames
  7. Dream
  8. Embers

Tracks:

  1. Lumen - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  2. Escape from the Atmosphere - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  3. Dancin' in the Stars - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  4. Z-Row Gravity - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  5. Creatures of Levania - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  6. Earthrise/Return - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  7. Storm - The Cambridge Singers, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller

Tracks:

  1. Come Home to the Sea - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  2. Rhodes Suite: Twilight at Rhodes - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  3. Rhodes Suite: Night Festival at Rhodes - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  4. Sunrise at Rhodes - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  5. Olympics - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  6. Nepenthe - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  7. Orpheus Suite: Descent into the Underworld - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  8. Orpheus Suite: Dialog With the Devil - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  9. Orpheus Suite: Ascent from Hell - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller
  10. Sirens: Crash and the Call/The Dance/The Singing Contest/Farewell - The Cambridge Singers, The London Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller

Tracks:

  1. Conjuring the Number 7 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  2. Sunday the 7th Day - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  3. 7 Colours of the Rainbow - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  4. 7 C's - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  5. 7 Metals of Alchemy - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  6. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 1 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  7. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 2 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  8. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 3 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  9. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 4 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  10. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 5 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  11. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 6 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  12. 7 Chakras of the Body: Chakra 7 - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller
  13. 7 Stars of the Big Dipper - The Cambridge Singers, Mannheim Steamroller

Tracks:

  1. Main Titles
  2. Greek Suite: Day Party
  3. Greek Suite: Interlude 8
  4. Greek Suite: Night Party
  5. Greek Suite: Goddesses in the Forest
  6. Big Bang
  7. Leonardo
  8. Fractals
  9. Waterfall
  10. Circle of Love
  11. Steamroller
  12. Heart and The Feather

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fresh Aire Collector's Box Set Vol 1 through 8.......2007-01-10

I had been trying to collect all 8 CD's one at a time, but never could find all of them.....so I gave up and just ordered the eight all together in a wonderful wooden box. I don't know why I didn't do it to begin with. If you like Manheim Steamroller you will love having all 8 CD's to play at one time. Or record them to one CD in the Mp3 format. Seems like it would not be Christmas without listening to Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire, or their Christmas CD's....either way you can't go wrong.....

4 out of 5 stars The best box ever.......2004-01-30

You have to love this set. You just put it in the driveway, pour some lighter fluid on it, drop the match and watch it burn baby burn!

Man, if only all music this agonizing came in these wooden boxes. They real make immolating the thing a pleasure. Much better than those fast burning cardboard boxes.

5 out of 5 stars Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller: A Dream Work.......2003-04-01

The beautiful sound of the recorder or piccolo in the morning, with birds chirping. That is the sound you hear throughout the boxed set of Fresh Aire 1-8. This constant mood of relaxation with a kick of rock is a true hit. I urge you to purchase this item. It is worth it.----KWZ

5 out of 5 stars Great Music for Exercise.......2002-10-13

Excellent collection of Mannheim Steamroller selections. Of particular note is Vol 8. This music has a beat that makes it outstanding for either casual listening or to accompany a serious aerobic exercise. I walk for 1.5 hours daily and this is my most recent choice for brisk walking.

5 out of 5 stars Perfect Collection for ANYONE.......2001-01-24

I already had a copy of each of the Fresh Aire CDs, from 1 through 8. When I heard about this, I decided that it would be a great buy. American Gramaphone, the record label created for Mannheim Steamroller, stopped production of the original Fresh Aire CDs to re-master them, so I knew that these CDs would sound better. However, I did not know that they were re-mastered in HDCD, which is another bonus.

Once again, we have an intense sound that should appeal to anyone. If you're unsure about this, the Mannheim Steamroller "20 Year Celebration" would be a good way to start listening to Mannheim Steamroller. Also be sure to pick up one of the christmas CDs. And check out the concerts. Many of the songs on the Fresh Aire CDs have video scenes that are displayed during the concerts, so the musical experience is enhanced. Although Fresh Aire 8

This also makes a good gift for anyone, including yourself. The wooden box in which the CDs are contained gives the entire set a very nice feel. It takes some work to get into, as the box is shrink-wrapped, and each of the CDs are in their original packaging. The only problem that I found was the UPC label on the bottom of the box. Other than that, there were no noticeable problems.

Once again, this is a good purchase for anyone who has the entire Fresh Aire series, or has only listened to some songs by Mannheim Steamroller. It's well worth it.

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