Information/Write-up
"A pop Christmas album in the country-folk bag" is probably the best way to describe this album. Conductor Rick Wilkins, a consistently fine arranger has taken such Christmas standards as "Away in a Manger", "Silent Night", Scarlet Ribbons" and given them a thoroughly delightful contemporary interpretation. There are some surprises too!"
-Liner notes
Rick Wilkins is an arranger, composer, conductor, and tenor saxophonist. During his childhood, he played the piano for his mother's dancing school, later delving into saxophone and clarinet studies during high school. He honed his musical skills by crafting arrangements for his teacher's dance band and, after graduating, collaborated with Jack Ryan and arranged for Gav Morton. In the years 1956-57, he contributed his musical talents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, alongside Billy Lane, before returning to Toronto in 1957.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he played with notable figures such as Rob McConnell, Benny Louis, and Bobby Gimby. Jazz performances at venues like the House of Hambourg and the First Floor Club marked his musical journey. By 1961, he took on the role of staff arranger for Jack Kane, a position that showcased his exceptional talents.
Throughout the 1960s, he made significant contributions to CBC TV programs, arranging and conducting Music for programs like Juliet, Tommy Ambrose, Wayne and Shuster, Ann Murray, and Ginette Reno, Guido Basso, Canadian Brass, Burton Cummings. In 1970, he left his mark on Anne Murray's hit "Snowbird" by crafting the string arrangements. Serving as the music director at CBC TV and Hollywood Palladium from 1976-1977, he solidified his reputation as one of Canada's leading arrangers.
That same year, during the early summer of 1970, he collaborated with the Mutual Understanding, a fitting partnership considering the band's previous success with the soft-pop masterpiece "In Wonderland," released just two years earlier. This collaboration culminated in a joyful assortment of Christmas songs, with all arrangements skillfully crafted by Rick Wilkins, except for 'Christmas Waltz' and 'Christmas Song,' which were arranged by Rob McConnell. The album, as delightful as The Mutual Understanding's "In Wonderland," stands as a testament to Rick Wilkins’ musical prowess.
-Robert Williston
Produced by Dave Bird
Recording Engineer: Ian Jacobson
Recorded at Studio G, CBC Toronto in June, 1970
With thanks to Ray Sora and Stan Horobin
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