merry mixmas 2008: simple gifts
It's time again for my annual playlist of holiday songs. I was late in mailing out the CDs, so I'm hoping folks can still enjoy the tracks by downloading them here.
Here are the liner notes:
In case you’re wondering, all the toys and gadgets that appear on the cover of this year’s Mixmas CD represent actual gifts I received as a kid. I can’t say for sure they were all Christmas gifts, but I know most were, and all of them became much-loved artifacts of my childhood.
Those toys came to mind after I started downloading holiday music this year. I happened upon Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” — a longtime favorite but not a piece of music traditionally associated with Christmas. I thought the message of “Simple Gifts” (the Shaker hymn quoted in “Appalachian Spring”) was a perfect reflection of the kind of year we’ve all just lived through and the scaled-back holiday season many of us seemed to envision for 2008.
I know I’ve had an introspective year, a time when I’ve learned a lot about myself. I would like to say that I’ve learned to not to take the simple pleasures of life for granted, but I think that’s a lesson we all have to hear over and over again.
That said, I didn’t want my annual holiday mix to be the Debbie Downer Christmas CD, so I hope I was able to mix in enough silly with the somber to keep things light and fresh.
Happy Christmas and good luck in 2009!
1 Intro: Simple Gifts (Appalachian Spring) — Aaron Copland
2 Jolly Old St. Nicholas — Ray Conniff & The Ray Conniff Singers
I’m shocked that this song has never shown up on a previous Mixmas
collection. It’s a kitschy classic.
3 Over the River and Through the Woods — The Chipmunks
My first draft of this year’s cover featured a Mrs. Claus/Grandma type baking cookies, which was inspired by this song.
4 Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming) — Over the Rhine
One of the few new(ish) tracks on the playlist. This one really grew on me.
5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen — Bright Eyes
My friend Jeff P. got me into Bright Eyes this year. I love Conor’s seriousness here.
6 Simple Gifts — Kevin Roth
7 Must Be Santa — Mitch Miller and the Gang
There’s something about this song that I find both fascinating and borderline scary. It’s like a “Murder She Wrote” take on St. Nick.
8 Why Can’t It Be Christmastime All Year — Rosie Thomas
Another new song, and a keeper.
9 Angels We Have Heard on High — Sixpence None the Richer
This has never been one of my favorite carols, but I like this version a lot.
10 I Saw Three Ships — Sufjan Stevens
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Sufjan.
11 Cha-Cha All the Way — Capitol Studio Orchestra
This one makes me giggle.
12 Reprise: Simple Gifts — Aaron Copland
13 Santa Claus Got Stuck in My Chimney — Ella Fitzgerald
Cracks me up every time.
14 Christmas Ain’t Christmas (Without the One You Love) — Aretha Franklin
Poor Aretha. She tries, really she does. Her holiday CD was ... well. It was something. I did like this song.
15 Rebel Jesus — Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Remember my comment earlier about “somber”? That was mostly about this song. Listen to the lyrics.
16 Children Go Where I Send Thee — Johnny Cash & June Carter Brings back happy memories of Men’s Glee Club at UGA (yes, I’m talking to you, Joseph).
17 Dejlig Er Den Himmel Bla — Garrison Keillor
What are they saying? Who cares? It’s lovely.
18 Zither Carol — Kathleen Battle
I love the energy of this track, which is such a weird blend of playful and restrained.
19 Deck the Halls — Jennifer O’Connor
Love some Jennifer. Her other Christmas track that I came across this year is a real buzz-kill, but I like this one a lot.
20 Simple Gifts — Judy Collins
Turns it out it’s tough to find a version of “Simple Gifts” that actually includes
vocals. Judy does it beautifully, as she does everything.
21 Funky Christmas — James Brown
I thought this was a great note to end on, because I love just how unrehearsed and emotional this song is. James Brown sounds like your drunk cousin at the family gathering who starts telling everyone, “Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! I love ya!”
Ditto.
Download: Merry Mixmas 2008: Simple Gifts
posted by TRAYB at
11:48 AM
6 Comments:
I've been enjoying my copy immensely! And I love the art work. You got me hooked on that Rosie Thomas song. Definitely my fave of the moment! I love looking forward to your annual mix each each. It's a simple, but amazing, gift. :)
Haven't got my copy yet, but the list looks great! I smiled at the MGC Shout Out :-). Can't wait to listen. I might have to download a copy to tide me over until then. Thanks so much for doing this each year and for the simple gift of friendship. Hope to see you guys soon!
Joseph
I was just thinking about a month ago that 'Simple Gifts' is one of my favorite melodies of all time.
Yo Yo Ma has a version of 'Simple Gifts' sung by Allison Kraus. I got it from the library and was trying it out today -- but it SKIPS.
Do you know 'Lord of the Dance,' the variation of 'Simple Gifts' with lyrics? It's an interesting variations on the Jesus story, and unbelievably catchy.
omg, the viewmaster. i used to have the flintstones.
Love the mix list, but actually stopping to comment on the TrayB artwork -- um, ***Merlin?!?*** OMG, I haven't thought of that game for *years.* I thought it was the coolest thing *ever* when two of my friends got theirs in 1981. I never had one and probably will be forever bitter. That said, and *random* -- my dad found our original Rubik's Cube today and pulled it out to show me -- in its original case and all! I wonder how much I can get for it on eBay?
Sean: The Merlin has by far gotten more comments from folks than even the music. I had one when I was seven or eight and played it till it broke. Then my dad found another one at a yard sale a few years later on and I wore it out too. I remember there was one game in particular on it that I never could master -- which I've only just learned was called "Magic Square." God bless the Internets!
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