The Family Christmas Album
Christmas Recording
The Good Times Polka Band
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The Good Times Band
The Good Times have written, performed and recorded together for many years. Over the years, their music has been a reflection of their commitment to the values of family and friends. This latest release is a celebration of that most wonderful season - Christmas - as we experience the joy of the Holy family with the birth of Jesus, feel the warmth of our own families joined together and witness the happiness of the children as they are awed by the magic of the season. Truly, it is a time of Peace On Earth...Goodwill To Men. In this collection, you will find some original tunes as well as many familiar hymns and contemporary songs that, for us, are the definitive sounds of the season. From all of our families to you and yours...May you have a joyous Christmas and a healthy New Year!!!
The Family Christmas Album - "A Family Christmas Album", released in October, 1999, features a collection of 20 Christmas songs, including a five song medley of Polish Kolendy. In addition to the polka selections, this CD features some contemporary "Jazz" pieces as well as the sounds of choir music as recorded by the St. Michael's Ensemble Choir from Orland Park, Illinois. Special thanks go out to all the artists participating in this project. These include Brian and Jennifer Fornek, Rachel Motyka and Michael Wolinski who's voices introduce the Kolendy Medley. Lauren Motyka, Nora Shader, and Greg Zebrauskas provided the violins and cello on "Lullaby Sweet Jesus" with vocals by Brian and Jennifer Fornek. St. Michael's Ensemble Choir, under the direction of Gary Patin, is comprised of the following members: Sopranos: Cheryl Barko, Holly Horrell, Geraldine Koskan, Arlene Koszut, Joan Krasneck, and Alison Sylwestrak. Altos: Marilyn Kuraitis, Sharon Richards, Kathy Rogers, Leona Zylka. Tenors: Gail Nonaka, James Rizzo, Paul Ruffolo. Bass: David Kemp, Larry Koskan, Jack Quinlan, Bob Yatka. Additional thanks go out to the folks at Sound/Video Impressions Studios in Des Plaines, Illinois, especially to Kathy Dunaj for her patience, understanding and artistic expertise while engineering this project. Finally, a tremendous debt of gratitude is owed to our guest piano player and vocalist, Roger S. Malinowski whose contributions greatly enhanced the musical and vocal compositions of this recording.
The Review - by Steve Litwin - "Christmas is here with The Good Times. The unmistakable signs of Christmas are many, but music, as always, holds a special meaning of this wonderful season. From the beautiful Koledy of our heritage, to the choirs of our churches, to the American carols of old, to the popular commercial tunes, which have stood the test of time, music has become a true symbol of this joyous season. The Good Times of Chicago have captured all these musical personalities of Christmas on their new recording, The Family Christmas Album. This 20 track recording is a musical excursion taking the listener from the jazz combo flavors of Gillespie, to the choir of St. Michael's church, to the hot sounds of a polkasized rendition of "Here Comes Santa Claus" with some solid instrumentation, to Koledy that will warm your Polish heart. Rock solid drums and bass hold the melodies in sync as the rich sax work blends with the horns and accordion to give each cut an importance all its own. Koledy, done with Polish and English lyrics, will have you singing along with the distinctive vocals of The Good Times. The treatment of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," both vocally and instrumentally, should produce some good cross-over plays on non-polka radio stations. The combo tunes broaden the appeal of this album to the complete musical audience. Do Szopy, with a smooth piano intro, will fill your mind with those memories of Midnight Mass, your Grandparents and the times when growing up in a Polish family made the entire Christmas season a true heart-warming event. Use of the piano on this recording makes this instrument, often relegated to fills, a key part of this entire musical holiday. The Good Times keep the Polka in Christmas, with some great polkas including, a superb original, "Family Christmas," a first class arrangement of the traditional "Li Li Laj," "Merry Christmas," and a rippin' polka version of "Here Comes Santa Claus" polka. The liner notes makes it evident everyone in this musical family, spanning several generations, played a part in "The Family Christmas Album." You'll find it difficult to take this one out of the CD player. It's that good! Recorded at Sound/Video Impression Studios in Des Plaines, IL, the mix and engineering was done by Kathy Dunaj. Cover Design and layout was done by Jenny Conway and Bill Holtane."
The Music
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