Sufjan Stevens - Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming
My choir director in college was big on Christmas carols. Like, the ones that you never hear. Like the ones in John Rutter’s Dancing Day or Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
I had never heard any of them before, but surprisingly I fell in love with many of them. One year we did a really pretty choral arrangement by Jan Sandström of Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming, except in its original German (Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen).
While something refined like that is really lovely, so is something more simple. I really love Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas album — it has a lot of really great arrangements of carols and hymns that make them that much more listenable and enjoyable.
(This is also the Christmas carol Henry’s mom sings in The Time Traveler’s Wife.)
By the way, I have NO IDEA where that album artwork came from. I must have downloaded this from a covers blog or something!
Joe Williams - Jingle Bells (Bombay Dub Orchestra Mix)
Back in the day when Old Navy used to sell compilation CDs, I bought their Jazzy Jolly Holiday/Remixes Yule Love CD. Happy holiday tunes. Totally loved it.
I’m working late at work because of a huge event this Sunday (one we’ve been working on since August) and I was feeling pretty awful about it, but this came on my iTunes shuffle and completely turned my attitude around. I kind of feel like dancing around my office now…
Jack Johnson - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Because I was a bit careless and didn’t wear a jacket on Friday afternoon/night, I caught a cold over the holiday vacation. (Smart, right?) Today at work I had to run to the restroom every so often to blow my nose.
Looking at my poor red nose in the mirror made me think of Rudolph. And so concludes my oh-so tangential anecdote to accompany this audio post. :)
(In all seriousness, I really love Jack Johnson’s cover — it’s so simple and happy.)
Olivia Olson - All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey cover)
I’ve been putting off watching Love Actually because it seemed a little too early. But now that Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday season is in full swing, I think it’s appropriate for me to pop in the DVD and veg out with some hot chocolate.
Aly and AJ - Greatest Time of Year
Yes, I know they’re one of Disney Channel’s prodigy pet projects, but I love this song. Just like N’Sync’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”, it seriously puts me in a festive mood and is so appropriate for today, Thanksgiving: the beginning of the holiday season.
From now until New Years’, I’m going to try to post a holiday song each day. You can bet I have a playlist on my iTunes all fired up and ready to go!
one day more | les miserables
one day more: another day, another destiny.
I used to love Les Mis. I’ve seen it three times and each time, the high school romantic in me wanted Eponine to get the boy.
The song is appropriate right now: Gotta get through today to leave Maryland and go home tomorrow!
Beyonce - Halo
We cooled down to this in zumba a couple of weeks ago and since then, it’s been on repeat in my iTunes.
(I can’t believe I wasn’t bumping this in my car when it first came out!)
Before They Were Lady Gaga of the Day: Footage of some nobody named Stephanie Germanotta performing a medley of songs at a 2005 NYU talent showcase surfaced recently on the Internet.
Let me be the first to say, this lady sure can sing. I really hope she makes it.
[via.]
Incredible. I actually hated “Just Dance”, but after I saw her perform “Poker Face” on American Idol (with the piano at the beginning), I was sold.
Also: Girl has some legit piano skills!
Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23 No. 5 by Rachmaninoff
At work last week I was looking for music to play at my desk, and I rediscovered Rachmaninoff preludes. This is one of my favorites — the transition from the strong, almost military feel of the first section to the lyrical middle section just gets me. Total eargasm. (Listen up to at least 1:40 to hear what I’m talking about!)
Bach’s Suite No. 01 in G Major - Yo-Yo Ma
Oh cello, you slay me.
Mmmm…good way to end the day.
(Heard on trailers for The Soloist.)
Sarah McLachlan - Angel
This week is really just not my week. I consider myself a fairly positive and upbeat person, but right now I just feel like a failure.
I haven’t listened to this song in a long time, but I heard it on the radio on my way home tonight, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ll be good as new tomorrow — at least, that’s what I need to tell myself.
spend all your time waiting for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there’s always some reason to feel not good enough
and it’s hard at the end of the day
i need some distraction, oh beautiful release
memories seep from my veins
let me be empty, oh and weightless and maybe i’ll find some peace tonight…
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
hey, don’t write yourself off yet
it’s only in your head you feel left out or looked down on
just try your best, try everything you can
and don’t you worry what they tell themselves when you’re away.
It’s an oldie but a goodie.
Damien Rice - Cannonball
still a little bit of your song in my ear
