Lucky '13!

From all @ Christmas A GoGo!, a heartfelt Happy New Year! Thanks to all artists for providing us with brilliant songs, thanks to all visitors for stopping by and sending in tips. Hope to see y'all next November. Until then:

Eliza Doolittle

Xmas in Bed is one of three seasonal tracks by Brit pop star Eliza Doolittle. This is an original:

Mark Lanegan

Gravel-voiced rendition by 'Dark Mark' Lanegan of O Holy Night:

Stubby's House Christmas 2012

One of the bestest Christmas music blogs out there is Stubby's. Every year, the cats-and-seasonal-song-obsessed Stubby compiles a fantastic compilation with new Xmas songs. Go HERE to download. A be quick!

Zo, Dit is Kerstmis

'Zo, Dit is Kerstmis' (So, This is Christmas') was a compilation released by Dutch broadcasting company VPRO in 1998. It featured covers (in English) and original seasonal songs by Dutch rockbands, tv-personalities and comedians. One of the best Christmas compilations ever to be released in the Netherlands. Since yesterday, it's on Soundcloud.

Psych Christmas

A befriended rock journalist dubbed 2013 the year of psych. Thanks to the nice people at Now Again Records, you can get a head start and enjoy a psych Christmas with South Korea's He 5 and their 1969 album Merry Christmas - Psychedelic Sound.

Read more here

JD McPherson

The bestest new Christmas track has a video too:
Want to download this one? It's on this great free compilation.

GT Thomas & Berend Dubbe

Gwen Thomas (she who wrote this awesome guestpost last year) recorded a gorgeous Christmas song with former Bettie Serveert-member Berend Dubbe:

Tessa Rose Jackson

A husky seasonal song by Dutch singer Tessa Rose Jackson. Check out her other songs too:

Ringo Bells

Download: Three Blonde Mice - Ringo Bells
More Christmas songs about Ringo Starr? See this!

Cornerhop ft TRWBADOR :: 'Every Year So Different

Cornershop made a pretty cool video for their new Christmas song!

Redd Kross :: Super Sunny Christmas (1991)

Such an awesome song. I wish I could buy it somewhere... Is this really from 1991? It still sounds fresh to me!

The Blues Are Still Blue Christmas Compilation 2012

For the eighth year in a row The Blues Are Still Blue Presents:



Christmas Compilation 2012 (download here)










001 Rufus Wainwright & Sharon Van Etten - Baby, It’s Cold Outside
002 Laura Marling - Goodbye England (Covered In Snow)
003 Allo Darlin- S P A C E Christmas
004 Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie “Prince” Billy - Christmas Eve Can Kill You
005 The White Stripes - Candy Cane Children
006 Brett Dennen - The Holidays Are Here (And We’re Still At War)
007 Yarn - Christmas Song
008 The xx - Last Christmas
009 Belle & Sebastian - Winter Wooskie
010 Best Coast & Wavves - Got Something for You
011 Calexico - Green Grows the Holly
012 Doug Paisley - Winter Days
013 Sufjan Stevens - Christmas in the room
014 Mandi Mapes & Wilder Adkins - On His Shoulders
015 Tellison - Good Luck It's Christmas
016 The Head and the Heart - What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
017 Great Lake Swimmers - Hang a string of lights
018 The Veils - Sit Down by the Fire
019 Branches - Go Tell It On The Mountain

If you like it, you gan still download my mix of 2011.

Merry Christmas!

Siouxsie & the Banshees (1982)

Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

A great Everly Brothers cover by two artists who also made a gorgeous Everly Brothers tribute album, called What The Brothers Sang:

Gasoline Brothers

They call it 'Paul McCartney meets Eels meets Wilco meets The Kelly Family'. It sure is an odd version of 'Wonderful Christmastime' by Dutch band Gasoline Brothers:

Loop Line

Bandcamp is chock-full of great Christmas tracks, as you've probably noticed. Here's another one by Loop Line:

The Grifters (and more)

This is one of the best tracks on one of the longest running Xmas compilations, Arbor Christmas (Vol. 13!)

Another nice compilation is the second round up of seasonal songs by bands from (around) St. Louis, by radio stadion KDHX. Go here to check out free tracks by Deer Tick (!), Née and Rah Rah.

The Cosbys

No, it's not Cliff Huxtable and family, it's a soulband from New Zealand:
(Hat tip to Stubby)

Les Breastfeeders

Yay, another new French Christmas song!

Christopher Lee

Now THIS is weird:

Fairytale of New York

Here's something you'd want to see, a documentary on the seminal Christmas song 'Fairytale of New York'. It was broadcasted on Sunday, but it turns out this documentary is about 4 years old and you can watch it on YouTube as well (HERE).
From the BBC website:
"All eight members of the Pogues return to the studio where their biggest hit - and one of the nation's favourite Christmas songs - was recorded. Fairytale of New York's producer Steve Lillywhite strips the song down to the basics, and video director Peter Dougherty reveals the tricks behind the making of the video - including how a cameo from Hollywood star Matt Dillon stopped the Pogues from almost being arrested. With contributions from Matt Dillon, Nick Cave, Jools Holland and of course Shane MacGowan and the Pogues, this lifts the lid on the seminal track and reveals the secrets behind its making."

Here's a Spotify-list with 10 cover versions of Fairytale. Here's more (Pogues-)covers
Even More Covers and background.

Ajax Amsterdam dabbles in light Christmas hiphop

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, well, this is proof that the countdown to Christmas is paved with songs thrown together, albeit for a good cause. The 'message' is that everyone is equal, no matter where they come from -- and I am sure they meant it -- but of course anything not typically white Dutch or ethnically accepted is painfully pointed out as being different, but equal. In other words, if we all love (soccer club) Ajax, we can all love each other. I'm a bit scared. Chorus: We zijn Ajax = We are Ajax, the 'j' in Dutch is a 'y'.

Rumer

Gorgeous Ron Sexsmith-cover by Rumer: Thanks PL

Some Kind of Christmas

Johan Hedberg is a member of Swedish twee pop duo Suburban Kids with Biblical Names. This is his funny Christmas song:

Santa Claus is a Monster

Jeff Hershey knows the truth about Santa, and wrote a brooding rhythm & blues song about it.

Brigitte

Brigitte - Noel blanc (right click, save as) (it's not Bardot, but these filles)

Christmas Mixes

Go to this brilliant blog to download a whole bunch of fantastic Christmas compilations

Christmas in Detroit

From an extensive, free downloadable compilation comes this upbeat Christmas track:

Don't forget to check out this great snotty powerpop track as well!

Dressy Bessy

Dressy Bessy is a indie-rockband from Denver, Colorado who are around since the mid-90s and made some classy albums. This is their (free!) Christmas single, as far as I know the second time they made a seasonal track

Arrica Rose

I love countrified, blue Christmas songs. This is a beautiful example by Arrica Rose:

Christmas Snow!

Christmas Snow! from brainwerk on 8tracks Radio.

Tuxedo Bandido

A Dutch gem! Found out about this one thx to Stubby, and to Lie in the Sound: Download for free here.

Ronny Hammond Xmas Mix

Go HERE to listen to Mr Ronny Hammond's fab new Xxx-mass mix (#8). Watch:

Een kerstliedje voor jou

Dutch 'nederbeat'-band The Kik did a great Dutch version of their English Christmas song on Dutch tv:

Christmas in June

Noël en juin by the band La Postion du Tireur Couché (yep) is one of the few French tracks on a Christmas album released by the Clermont-Ferrand based concert hall Coopérative de Mai. Read more (in French) here (FB-link). Spotify-link here.
Download: La Position du tireur couché - Noël en juin (right click, save as)

All I WANT For Christmas Mix

All I WANT For Christmas from brainwerk on 8tracks Radio.

Jingle Bell Rocks

You probably heard about Jingle Bell Rocks, a documentary in the making about off-beat Christmas songs, the ones we're posting here for years. Santa Claus was a Black Man, Close your mouth (it's Christmas), etc. Film maker Mitchell Kezin needs your help, he needs money to finish his documentary. Go HERE to read more, to see an endorsement by the great John Waters, and how to donate. See HERE also.

Adam Bricks

Nice little ditty by Adam Bricks:

Pondertone

Judy Garland's evergreen in a folky stylee:

Los Campesinos!

Free download of a great X-mas track (the bells! the bells!) by Los Campesinos. Go HERE

Office Romance

Office Romance = Les Savy Fav’s Syd Butler and Seth Jabour, and Amy Carlson.

Robyn Hitchcock

Brilliant Captain Beefheart cover by Robyn Hitchcock, for one of the bestest Christmas comps of the year. Read more here. Spotify link here. Hat tip to SWO

Never Ending Beginning

21 tracks by indie-bands about Christmas, for free! My fave is Ormonde's Angels we have heard on high.

Canadian Christmas

The 4th compilation of Canadian bands getting in the Christmas mood. I especially like Maylee Todd's sweet St Etienne-cover, and The Meek's Cricket Carols. Go HERE to listen, share and download for FREE

Elefant Christmas

This new track by the legendary Primitives is just one of a bunch of xmas choons from the great seasonal compilation by Spanish label Elefant Records. Go HERE for details (Links via Santas Working Overtime)

Funky Christmas mix

YES, this is what all ye funksters were waiting for, a brand spanking new Christmas mix by Dr Rubberfunk! Go HERE for more festive funk.

Olympic Cyclone Band

Maybe not a very festive band name, but their reworks of classic carols are AMAZING! Funky and hard-hitting. Check out this LOUD version of Come All Ye Faithful: Or this great Li'l Drummer Boy (see the video too!): More? Here!

Sarah Nixey

The most beautiful new Christmas song of this year? No contest. It's this one by former Black Box Recorder siren Sarah Nixey:

Download from here (right click, save as)

The First Ornaments of Christmas

The First Ornaments of Christmas is a live multimedia project from the brain/hand/pen/voice of Bentonville, AR Resident Bryce Napier and a surrounding group of artists. Defying easy categorization, the creators jokingly call it a Christmas-indie-classical-multimedia-rock-opera. In the live setting, the 11-piece band performs with narrative breaks between 11 songs. At the same time, animated footage plays on projectors overhead, illustrating the story being sung.



‘First Ornaments’ is a Christmas feast for the eyes and ears, helping viewers imagine the Christmas story like never before. Parents, children, art students, and music enthusiasts alike enjoy the beautifully-designed characters, the bright colors, and the imaginative sounds. The project was performed live 3 times in 2011 and 6 times in 2012.

The album features a studio recording of the entire production including music and narration.

More info here.

Surf School Dropouts

Great band name. Great Beach Boys-inspired Christmas song:

Cal Folger Day

If you like a bit of southern drawl under the misteltoe, make way for Cal Folger Day and squaredance around the Christmas tree!

Starlings, TN

“I remember vividly thinking that dry socks, smokes, and a bottle of whiskey would be a hell of a Christmas gift.” says Steven Stubblefield, the man behind Austin’s Starlings, TN. Listen:

The Hush Now

Boston indie-trio The Hush Now made a song about something we can all relate to:

Free Swim

Paul Coltofeanu = Free Swim, and this is his really cool Christmas song. More Free Swim music here

Kishi Bashi

"Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym for violin virtuoso K Ishibashi. Having recorded, toured, and collaborated with diverse artists such as Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal, Kishi Bashi released his first full-length album "151a" in April 2012." So says this website. It was also the place where you could order this fantastic X-mas hymn on a snowflake shaped flexi disc (see clip), but alas, it's sold out :-(

Dubstep Christmas

Awesome: Want More? HERE

Foxtails Brigade

Last year, we posted 'I'm Not Really In The Christmas Mood This Year' by Foxtails Brigade. From their album (stream/buy on Bandcamp) they made an X-mas themed video to accompany Unfairness Awareness

Soul Snatchers

FINALLY, a new funky Christmas choon, courtesy of one of Holland's finest funk combo's, The Soul Snatchers featuring Jimi Bellmartin. If you go HERE, you find a download link for the song (bottom of the page). It's actually the same band behind this great X-mas song, which was recently covered in Polish (!)

Exotic cheer and mischievous smirks

"A collection of your favorite Christmas songs, merrily reinterpreted with exotic cheer, unexpected instrumentations, and mischievous smirks". That's what Tribecastan offer on their Twisted Christmas EP.



In their own words: "On their first single, “God Rest Ye Three Kings,” Tribecastan takes us on a midnight joyride across the desert sands with a figgy pudding of hand drums, sitar, sarod, mandocello, brass and bulbul tarang. This tongue in cheek amalgam of yule tide spirit and holiday chutzpah is a change of pace from the standard seasonal-tunes of old."

The Twisted Chrismas EP is available on Bandcamp.

Christmas Is War

If anyone can tell me why these kids think Christmas is war, please do tell!
And if you can't wait to hear more black metal carols, go to www.erlosung.com and download the Christmas Ist Krieg album.

Ps: extensive listening will cause churchburning

Twenty-six Hundred!

Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick made a Christmas album with ten (ok, one's a Chanukah song, so nine) Christmas tracks. Style-wise, they're swimming in the same pond as They Might Be Giants, Fountains of Wayne and Flight of the Conchords. Hear more here. See also this. 2600 is a song about a kid wanting an Atari 2600 really, REALLY bad.

Olivia Ruiz

French star Olivia Ruiz just released a new album, featuring a Christmas song that's not really a Christmas song. Or is it?

Hey, It's Christmas! Volume 3

The surfin' first track says it all, this is a compilation that needs to be championed on this blog!

Volume I here, Volume II here

Allo Darlin'

British quartet Allo Darlin' made a really great seasonal EP. The titles seem un-Christmas-y, but listen to Only Dust Behind.

That Band From Holland

Yep, they're from Holland. And they make odd, but good X-mas tunes. This is their fourth seasonal album:

Day Joy

Have yourself a merry little dream pop style Christmas:

Laurence Made Me Cry

Love that bandname, love this fateful Christmas song:

JD McPherson

Thanks to Stubby for featuring this great r&b-tinged, Little Richard-esque Christmas stomper by JD McPherson. You gots to hear this:

French amour for Christmas

Born in Egypt and raised in the UK, Gillian Hills became a celebrity in France, as a similar looking yet better singer than Brigitte Bardot. This was a time when powerful men decided on the fate of starlets, and if French director Roger Vadim felt that Gillian resembled his ex-wife Brigitte Bardot, then it had to be true.

Gillian got a boost in popularity recently when American audiences discovered a cover version of her song 'Zou Bisou Bisou' on TV series Mad Men, Gillian's first single back in 1960.

Here's Gillian covering Bobby Helms' 'Jingle Bell Rock' in French, entitled 'La tête à l'envers', literally, 'My head upside down', which implies being dumbfounded by love.

Gillian Hills - La tête à l'envers

My Christmas Mix from 2010. Still working on the 2012...

Brainwerk Christmas Mix 2010 from brainwerk on 8tracks Radio.

Eww Yaboo

THIS IS BRILLIANT! Eww Yaboo's supercharged psych-rocking Lawn Lights. Like you drank the whole eggnogg-bowl in one go. Woo! Want more of this stuff? Go check out this compilation.

Madam

(Thanks André)

Sugar & the Hi-Lows

Sounds like a band, but it's a duo. This is a 6-minute long (!), sultry ode to the season. Very good stuff

Christmas In The South Pacific

Christmas In The South Pacific from brainwerk on 8tracks Radio.

All I Need Is Lo-lo-lo-lo-love

I don't know 'bout you guys, but I don't think I will ever outgrow The Muppets. 'Mahna Mahna' brings back so many good childhood memories and to hear it like this is just, well, great. Cee Lo is one lucky bastard to have worked with such talents.


Cee Lo's Christmas studio album, Cee Lo's Magic Moment, was released this October. The album features collaborations with Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, Straight No Chaser and Trombone Shorty. 

The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland's Christmas Album

Bill Wells hates most of the Christmas Albums, so he decided to make one himself. This is what you can expect:

Christmas style!

Exile Parade

And the prize for most minimalistic Christmas song video goes to....

Ice Ice Baby

Okay, okay, Oscar challenged me :-)
....so here's another Xmas song from the beautiful Icelandic singer Ragnheidur "Ragga" Gröndal.

 

S(up)erbian Xmas

Christmas is a time for nostalgia, melancholy and yet a lot of happiness!
This feeling comes to live in this Xcellent song of Boris Kovač....

Happy X-mas all!

Jimmy Donley - Santa! Don't Pass Me By (1962)

Jimmy Donley was not the sort of man that many people would have wanted either as a friend or an enemy. 'He was a poor excuse for a human being, if truth be told', is a quote from the booklet of In the key of heartbreak, a fantastic 2-cd compilation of his outstanding 60s blue eyed soul and R&B on the ACE label. The man best known for Born to be a Loser, recorded two Christmas songs, credited to Meaux and Maddox, two 'managers' who bought (or bought into) his songs. Read more on Jimmy here.

Cornershop - "Every Year So Different"

I just heard the good news yesterday that Cornershop will release a festive seasonal gem on December 3. It's a beautiful song featuring Trwbador. I like it and I'll definitely get it when it becomes available. More sleigh bell please!

You can hear the track here. It is a soundcloud file that I couldn't figure out how to post for you guys... Maybe the share is disabled because it isn't released yet. I'll keep checking and share it here when I can.

And let me be one of the first to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

How To Throw A Christmas Party

AAAAAaaaaaaand....we're back! We're going to shower you with odd-but-good Christmas music the upcoming weeks. Kicking off with Dutch Christmas loving music collective How to Throw a Christmas Party, who for the third year will live up to their name in various Dutch clubs, playing their folk-rock tinged X-mas tracks.