Ah, Christmas time. I love Christmas time. Cutting down a tree in the early morning frost. Christmas lights. Crazy decorations (I've always wanted a full light-up nativity set). Christmas parties. Gift shopping. Beautiful walks. Snow dustings. Best of all, December means Christmas MUSIC!!!!
Vince Guaraldi Trio's score to A Charlie Brown Christmas is perhaps my favorite Christmas album. The jazz is smooth and delicate, while covering all the classics. A newer addition to my stable of favorites is Sufjan's Songs for Christmas set. Sufjan plays some original holiday songs, as well as his (in most cases) simple banjo renditions of the old standards that are both fun (I Saw Three Ships for instance) and captivating (like We Three Kings).
Sufjan Stevens - I Saw Three Ships
Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!
Next up is a new take on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Bodies of Water from the excellent Peace on Earth: A Holiday Charity Album Vol. II available now as a digital download through Its Hard to Find a Friend. The album features carols by many of the midwest indie scene that is currently blowing my mind (dare I say Woods Rock?). The songs are cheery, funny, like Christmas with the Jews and well played. To make this album even more extraordinary, all proceeds go directly to The Children of Uganda Fund. So not only are these great carols, but by buying it you help end conflict. Isn't that the essence of the holiday season? I bought this album and I've enjoyed every minute. Its only $7.50 and it goes to a good cause, so please do it too.
Bodes of Water take O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and turn it into an elegant day dream. The delicate vocals and strings gently meander in and out, swirling through the consciousness. It seriously sounds like Banjo or Freakout's cover of Burial. So good. Really atmospheric and whispy.
Bodies of Water - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Remember to open your first advent calendar door today too!
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