It’s the season where music market is flooded with Christmas songs seeking to cash in with the cheesy, sentimental and traditional. Here, there’s still no shortage of sleigh bells, but from covers to originals this small selection might be worth a listen at any time …
Icelandic artist Laufey opens up the 2022 selection with a beautiful version of that seasonal classic by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, The Christmas Waltz. Her arrangement is inspired by Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with an added waltzy texture, layers of cello and sleigh bells, and recorded with a children’s choir.
Next up, Texan singer and Highwomen member Amanda Shires, has re-released a number from last year’s For Christmas album, with Blame It On The Mistletoe, her voice very much in the Parton style, with songwriting to match - great chord changes and melody, and with this version comes guest Laurence Rothman.
Phoebe Bridgers, who has previously recorded several other cover songs for Christmas, has released this acoustic version of The Handsome Family’s So Much Wine, featuring fiddle, whistling, and vocals from Andrew Bird, with vocals from organist Ethan Gruska, guitarist Harrison Whitford, and actor Paul Mescal. Proceeds going to Los Angeles LGBT Center. Out on Dead Oceans.
Equally beautiful is Rosie Thomas’s original song, We Should Be Together, joined here by old friend Sufjan Stevens.
Sleigh bells are always at hand on festive numbers, and Sara Noelle is no exception, but there’s a darker beauty to this one. Sara explains that “This song is about fast-forwarding until Christmas, a time that somehow sheds all the craziness of the year and brings some respite and a bit of quiet magic.”
Another cover now, but with a difference. New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus do parody of Billy Joel's Piano Man with the lyrics changed to be from the perspective of the little drummer boy from the 1958 Christmas classic of the same name.
Finally a poignant cover that’s a tribute to the sadly departed. LA indie rockers Silversun Pickups have released a version of Low’s Just Like Christmas in honour of the late Mimi Parker who died in November. All proceeds from this cover go to Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, a charity of Alan’s choice in Mimi Parker’s name. The original is also below.
Rest in peace, Mimi.
And Merry Christmas, everyone.
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