An entry for the 2003 Christmas season was a natural move for Kenny Chesney after the blockbuster No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems made 2002 his banner year. But in typical Chesney fashion, his holiday album tries to be a little more easygoing than the usual Music City rehash of tried 'n' true yuletide chestnuts. The sunny south of the border vibe that lit up the video for No Shirt's title cut is alive and well on All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan; the album's own title track is a nice, swaying number that approximates the Cascades' "Rhythm of the Rain" into its breezy Buffett feel. Like Chesney's best material, it's a contemporary country number crossed effortlessly with pop, and it's just a little bit cheeky, too. "Don't worry baby," he sings. "We'll celebrate plenty/I'll buy you some shades and a brand new bikini." He seems truly honest when, in his liner notes, Chesney explains how as a kid he spent the season in his native east Tennessee, but now likes to head down to the Caribbean for the holidays. And he backs up that sentiment with the title track and a fun steel drum run through "Jingle Bells." However, the remainder of All I Want for Christmas leans more toward Nashville safe bets than easygoing St. Bart's. Fans likely won't mind; after all, Chesney's duets with Randy Owen (on the Alabama classic "Christmas in Dixie") and Willie Nelson ("Pretty Paper") are solid, and -- ever the softie -- he brings his mom and Aunt Sharon in for a touching take on "Silent Night." But filler like the needlessly electronicized "Silver Bells" or "The Angel at the Top of My Tree," which is basic pop-country dressed up in Christmas ribbons and bows, might have been replaced with more of the title track's temperate climes. Chesney and his pals sure look like they're having a great time in the back cover photo, lounging in the sun and sand with their Santa caps. But All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan could have spread the Coppertone around a little more, instead of relying on Nashville conventionalism. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
Paul Overstreet (Vocals (Background)), John Jorgenson (Guitar (Electric)), John Jorgenson (Ukulele), Gary Prim (Wurlitzer), Chip Davis (Vocals (Background)), Kevin Beamish (Mixing), Pat Buchanan (Guitar (Electric)), Bob Bullock (Engineer), Buddy Cannon (Arranger), Buddy Cannon (Producer), Melonie Cannon (Vocals (Background)), Mark Casstevens (Ukulele), Kenny Chesney (Arranger), Kenny Chesney (Vocals), Kenny Chesney (Producer), Tim Hensley (Banjo), Tim Hensley (Vocals (Background)), John Hobbs (Synthesizer), John Hobbs (Piano), John Hobbs (Organ (Hammond)), Paul Leim (Percussion), Paul Leim (Drums), Paul Leim (Timbales), Paul Leim (Shaker), Paul Leim (Cabasa), Liana Manis (Vocals (Background)), Randy McCormick (Synthesizer), Randy McCormick (Piano), Randy McCormick (Organ (Hammond)), Randy McCormick (Vocals (Background)), Nashville String Machine (Strings), Randy Owen (Vocals (Background)), Steve Patrick (Trumpet), Larry Paxton (Guitar (Bass)), Larry Paxton (Bass (Upright)), Larry Paxton (String Arrangements), Chris Rowe (Engineer), Kyle Stewart (Vocals), Kris Wilkinson (String Arrangements), Norro Wilson (Arranger), Norro Wilson (Producer), Greg Lawrence (Assistant), Karen Chandler (Vocals (Background)), S. Wade Hunt (Art Direction), S. Wade Hunt (Design), Rodney Dawson (Assistant), John D. Willis (Guitar (Acoustic)), John D. Willis (Gut String Guitar), Hank Williams (Mastering), Allison Stewart (Vocals), Wes Hightower (Vocals (Background)), Glen Rose (Vocals), Shannon Brown (Vocals), Eric Bickel (Assistant), Glenn Rose (Photography), Nicholas Hoffman (Fiddle), Nicholas Hoffman (Vocals), Scott Kidd (Assistant), Billy Sherrill (Engineer), Jeff Sochor (Assistant), Wyatt Beard (Vocals (Background)), Finnegan Scott, Shannon (Production Coordination), Mark Tamburino (Vocals), Grigsby Twins (Performer), Shaun Silva (Vocals)
All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan is the eighth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released on October 7, 2003. His first album of Christmas music, it was certified gold in the U.S.
In addition to original tracks and renditions of traditional Christmas music, the album features three covers. "Christmas in Dixie" was originally recorded by Alabama and features Alabama's lead singer, Randy Owen, as a duet partner. "Thank God for Kids" was previously recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys (and originally by Eddy Raven), while "Pretty Paper" was originally recorded by Willie Nelson. Chesney's rendition of "Silent Night" features his mother and her twin sister, who are credited as the Grigsby Twins.
Track listing
"All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan" (Paul Overstreet) - 4:38
