Sunday, December 24th, 2006

Sunday Cleaning – Volume 61: Holiday Edition

I’m not a big Christmas music guy, but I inevitably end up collecting a fair bit of decent seasonally-themed stuff over the course of my travels and since there’s only one time of year to post it, now’s the time. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and happy statutory holiday to everyone else.

The Cocteau Twins released a Christmas single in 1993 with a couple of classic covers, one of “Frosty The Snowman” and this one, “Winter Wonderland”, featuring a rare appearance by Liz Fraser’s native tongue.

MP3: Cocteau Twins – “Winter Wonderland”

Boy George and Antony Hegarty last year collaborated on this John Lennon cover for the star-studded Help: A Day In The Life benefit album for War Child. Their version is arch, rich and sweeping – but considering who’s involved you’d expect no less.

MP3: George & Antony – “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)”

Dreampoppers Asobi Sesku teamed up with Detroit’s PAS/CAL for a holiday 12″ single featuring a Christmas cover by each band on coloured vinyl. PAS/CAL tackled Wham!’s “Last Christmas” while Asobi paid tribute to fellow New Yorkers The Ramones.

MP3: Asobi Seksu – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight)

Way back in the day (1992, to be exact), Velocity Girl teamed up with Tsunami to release a the Season’s Greetings 7″ on Simple Machines. Their contribution was this (I believe) original Christmas ditty.

MP3: Velocity Girl – “Merry X-Mas, I Love You”

By : Frank Yang at 9:13 am
Category: Uncategorized
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  1. Stephen says:

    That is a really awesome Cocteau Twins single, and it’s great to see it mentioned here! I always pull it out for the Christmas season… Anyway, my favorite collection of songs happens to be Low’s Christmas EP, an eight-song collection of holiday songs including a fantastic cover of "Little Drummer Boy" and a bunch of originals. You should really seek it out if you don’t already have it.

  2. Roland says:

    These are all really great, thanks! Merry Christmas!

  3. Paul says:

    You found some good ones, Frank. About 93.7% of all indie-rock-type Christmas tunes suck eggs, but you did a handsome job avoiding them.

  4. bulut says:

    loved the Cocteau Twins, and also Liz Fraser releases a new solo album due spring 2007.