Festive Frivolities - the grand finale.

The Twelve Songs of Christmas are completed.

Alternative: Otis Redding, White Christmas
Traditional: Bing Crosby, White Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Festive Frivolities numero 4 & 5

(Sorry for the break there - last minute Christmas preparations became a little too intense. Here's a double whammy to make up for it.)

Alternative Tracks:
1. Ron Sexsmith - Maybe This Christmas
Really simple, sweet, genuine little Christmas song. A little bit wistful, which can be how I end up feeling at this time of year. All I know about Ron Sexsmith is that he was touted as the next Robbie Williams at one point in his career - not a fantastic omen admittedly, but, still this sincere song is a must for a Christmas playlist. Plus there's bells in it!

2. Low - Just Like Christmas
I think Low actually released a whole album/EP of Christmas tracks, but this is the only one I know from it, and I think due to it being featured on The O.C. and other such suitably indie soundtracks it's the best known of the album. More bells here (always good for a Christmas song), and a similiarly sweet, wistful wintry feel. Good to escape to listen to when the presents/relatives/food combo becomes a bit much.

Traditional tracks:

1. Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick
Again, not necessarily all that traditional, but very seasonal, Little Saint Nick is Christmas, 'surfer' style ('surfer' in inverted commas because only one of the Beach Boys actaully surfed, but you get my point). Really fun, I reckon this is a good song to groove around the kitchen to do whilst doing the turkey.

2. The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride [youtube]
The Phil Spector Christmas canon is rather impressive, and I couldn't exactly make a Christmas compliation without including at least one. The Ronettes' version of Sleigh Ride is, in my book, the definitive one, with bells and horse-hoof noises to boot. It's frothy and just doesn't take itself too seriously, exactly what is needed at this time of year. Although, let me tell you, sleigh rides aren't half as fun as they're made out to be here...

Festive Frivolities - part III

Alternative Track of the Day: Joni Mitchell, River

Not exactly cheery music, but sometimes appropriate for a time of a year when there are so many expectations that can't always be met. Mitchell's album Blue is an absolute classic, but River definitely has something special about it.


Traditional Track of the Day: John & Yoko, Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Perhaps traditional is the wrong word when talking about this track - nevertheless, Happy Xmas is a much-loved fixture in my house at Christmas, I grew up with it at Christmas. It's pretty much perfect in my mind - a commercial-free Christmas, capturing all the good things about Christmas, and none of the bad.

Festive Frivolities cont.

Alternative track: Grand Archives, Sleepdriving
OK, so not technically a Holiday/Christmas track, but I got this track off a holiday compliation CD free with SF based artsy magazine, ReadyMade, which is the kind of magazine that I wish I was cool and arty enough to read, but I'm not. The CD was excellent and this track is particular is very good. It perfectly captures that hazy feeling you get when you've been driving/travelling too long, but when you know that the place you're going to is worth it.

Traditional track: Chris Rea, Driving Home for Christmas
This is the traditional version of the track above. The key to this track is the line: 'I take a look at the driver next to me/he's just the same' - it's not the actual experience of driving but the feeling of unity, of a common experience that drives (pun unintended) this song.

Festive Frivolities

Christmas is approaching (who knew?) and with that, it seems appropriate to put some festive music up. While there has traditionally been Twelve Days of Christmas, now there are Twelve Tunes of Christmas.

I love Christmas - and I love Christmas music. My tastes tend to fall distinctly into two categories: alternative Christmas cuts, of the ilk of my usual music tastes, but with a holiday flavour, and traditional, well-loved Christmas classics that I grew up with and continue to love. Therefore I intend to post two tracks a day up til Christmas: one alternative, and one traditional.

Today's alternative track: Sufjan Stevens, Put the Lights on the Tree

I don't know of a better Holiday album than Sufjan Stevens' 5 EP Collection, Songs for the Christmas. In parts childishly excited, in others quietly tender, in still others full of joy, it makes Christmas better by just existing. Put the Lights on the Tree is maybe the best track - 1min 48s of sheer excitement and joy.

Today's traditional track: Dean Martin, Let it Snow!

An absolute classic, recycled and reused every Christmas, yet somehow it seems to avoid cliche. Let it Snow! is snuggly and exciting and it just ain't Christmas without it.