vintage

Well, it’s two days before Christmas, and I thought that I might make things a little more festive around here. Some of you might be aware of Sufjan Stevens’ ambitious box set called Songs for Christmas, which features five EPs recorded every year from 2001 to 2006 (excepting ‘04) and includes original songs as well as reworked versions of Christmas favourites. Some of those originals have hilarious titles like “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!” and “Come On, Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance!”, but Stevens also treats traditional carols in a remarkably fresh and unpretentious way.

Sufjan’s best work on these albums are the latter; familiar carols like “I Saw Three Ships” and “Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella” sound new and interesting again, and sometimes all it takes is an extra trumpet or two. His version of this week’s track, “Once in Royal David’s City,” is among my favourites — banjo, sleighbells, oboe, everything!

If you are sick and tired of department stores and radio stations playing the same terrible covers of terrible Christmas songs every year, I suggest purchasing Songs for Christmas. No more screechy auto-tuned pop singers trying to pretend they are really excited about singing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” to a heavily synthesized orchestra. Instead, you get every instrument imaginable, a cute chorus, and a lot of really great holiday music. I have to confess that I’ve listened to a few of these in July! Yikes. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Tunesday 4: Once in Royal David’s City