Wilson Phillips Leave Rivalry in the Past, Rekindle Christmas Memories on New Album -- Exclusive Video

By David Chiu Posted Dec 17th 2010 11:00AM

For Wilson Phillips, recording their new holiday album, 'Christmas in Harmony,' wasn't entirely harmonious given some of the circumstances behind it. This past June, the group was working on the album with producer Glen Ballard in a Hollywood building that had no air conditioning.

"It was so hot, it was sweltering," Carnie Wilson tells PopEater. "We were actually sweating during this Christmas recording. The air [conditioner] was broken. But there was a vibe in there and [Glen] was like, 'Well Annie Lennox just finished her last record in this booth.' We said, 'We don't care if it's broken. We want to record there.'"

'Christmas in Harmony' coincides with Wilson Phillips -- aka Carnie and Wendy Wilson and their friend Chynna Phillips -- marking their 20th anniversary this year. A holiday album was something they've always wanted to do, according to Wendy. "Carnie and I made a Christmas record in '92 called 'Hey Santa.' We had the best time, but we were missing Chynna," she says. "We knew we were going to do it at some point and it just was the right time. We all had some kids and we were ready to go."

The record -- which is also the group's reunion with Ballard, who produced their 1990 debut album -- features both holiday standards and new songs, including a remake of Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' and 'Joy.' It also features an a cappella recording, 'Our Prayer,' which was composed and arranged by Wendy and Carnie's dad, Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson. "It needs to be there," explains Carnie, "because it is so out of this world beautiful and not many people can sing that. It was really hard." Adds Wendy, "It was the most challenging vocal we had ever done."

The album has also led the sisters to recall their fondest childhood Christmas memories. "I remember all the Wilsons over swimming in the pool," says Carnie, "because it's California it's not that cold at Christmas time. We had great big trees and lots of family and food. Music is a really huge part of Christmas for our family. The Beach Boys' Christmas album is just one of the greatest ever and I can't imagine a Christmas without it."

'Christmas in Harmony' is the group's first album since 2004's 'California,' which came after a 12-year hiatus. Still, the working dynamic within Wilson Phillips remains the same. "The difference is that we're all grown up," Wendy says. "We're all women. We all feel good in our skin now. There's no rivalry or anything like that and it's all just good times."

"The joy of singing together is so strong. There's such a sense of purpose there," says Carnie. "Besides our children, it's probably the most meaningful thing to us. We feel like a great purpose on Earth when we sing together. I can get real funky serious about it, but it's an experience when we put our voices together. We feel it through our bodies. It's great."

Between the three of them, Wilson Phillips have nine children. Perhaps not surprisingly for the Wilson sisters, their kids could be poised to carry on the family business. "They all sing," Wendy says. "All our kids are very musical already. I have four boys and they think that they're already in a band."

"My daughter Lola is definitely showing a very keen ear to harmony," Carnie says, "and we actually sing harmony together. Lucy, my 17-month-old, I say OK, Lucy, can you say 'laaaa?' and she hits the note."

After the Christmas record, the sisters hint at a possible new Wilson Phillips album of original material. "Something will be released next year," Carnie says. "Glen has a couple of great songs and we just have to get to the piano. That's usually how we write. We've just got to get cookin.'"

Tags: Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, carnie wilson, chynna phillips, wilson phillips, wilson phillips christmas in harmony

Comments

(32)

Friday 17 December

By itch7116

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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS CD. I purchased it on a whim and it is my favorite Christmas CD this year. Way to go Wilson Phillips. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Saturday 18 December

By BTDT

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OK A Christmas album is obligatory for a pop artist, but a second one? Maybe they're having tax problems.

By BIKERVIKING

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Who are these people?

By RobertRob

These R the siblings of the Mamma & The Pappas LOL

By jbjg24m

they wereon Dr. Phil yesterday, not so great

By Jen

I agree...not so great.

By cjb

well god knows we need more christmas cds out here

By scoval711

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I liked Carnie when she hosted the Newlywed Game. She is always changing her hair color. SHe looked better as a blond--this red is hideous.

By Kathy

I thought Carnie finally lost her weight last time I saw her. But she found it again.. Too bad. I don't ubnderstand when you have every resourse and you just do not jhave the willpower Sad!

By Paula Frazier

By the way Kathy, the music has nothing whatsoever to do with hair or weight. Carnie is a gorgeous woman regardless of what she weighs. It is about the music and the talent only.

Why do people have to continually tear others down?

By Maliengus

I think she has PLENTY of willpower, as she has demonstrated many times. It isn't so simple all the time, Kathy. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her body shape is only one part of her. It will be nice when people evolve a little bit futher in their thinking about women and size and just quit being so ridiculous about it.

By Grace

Kathy
It has nothing to do with willpower or having the resources. When someone has not experienced having a weight problem they will never understand. It is not sad as you say. It is a disease like any other and should be looked at with more understanding and knowledge. Carney used to be a much larger woman so she did not find it. She is a beautiful person inside and out. She had the confidence within herself and that is what made her shine in the video.

By cec2474

I really not excited in regards to this they have already done the christmas thing. how is this any better. If they can muster a real album they need to just let sleeping dog lay.

By rico

Okay, I give up. Where's Chyna??

By Ladeeda

Yes....where is Chyna? Maybe Carnie is sitting on her! How ridiculous of Carnie to say "there's no rivalry or anything like that" when they have excluded Chyna from this interview. By the way, I feel so bad for them not having to record in LA without air conditioning in June, it probably hit a high of 72 degrees. Ever heard of an electric fan?

By Mike Gallagher

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I am really glad this group is back together and I plan on buying that CD for shure and will be wating for the next one.
It would have been nice if the Chyna's Mom and the great Brian Wilson along with the children could have joined in on one of the Christmas songs and have 3 generations. Now that would have been magic. Maybe the next album with originals can include a very special family cut.

I love their sound, and am looking forward to hearing new things from them.

My daughter has always called them the "release me girls" because when she was little and that song came out, she couldn't remember their names, but always knew the name of that song.

These R the siblings of the Mammas & The Pappas LOL

Sorry spelled Mammas Wrong he he he he he

By Karen Agee

Carnie Wilson is the daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. An extremely popular group in the Sixties.

Chyna Phillips is the daughter of John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas likewise popular in the sixties.

By Arney

also Beach Boys

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