Christmas covers hit the blogosphere by the dozen this time of year, but even though we can’t post on ’em all, we’ve been trying to keep track of our favorites. Here, in the third installment of our holiday sorta-series, are a bunch of great new Christmas covers, jumbled together like last year’s tree lights.
Norah Jones appeared on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations earlier this week to talk food and (apparently) sing about poop. She also played “Silent Night” at the Ace Hotel with a pianist, a beautiful rendition you can hear here. Fucked Up rocked a raucous “Jingle Bells” to close, but the Travel Channel appears to have scrubbed that video from the Internet.
“Christmas Must Be Late” can get tiring, but “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is the children’s holiday classic that never wears out its welcome. Anya Marina makes it just hip enough to put on a playlist for even an adults-only party.
Anya Marina – I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Cover Me fav Idiot Glee released a four-track Christmas EP, featuring some originals and some covers. He showed he can do standards with his fantastic “Ain’t No Sunshine,” so hearing a hazy, mostly a cappella “Sleigh Ride” is a treat.
Americana duo Beta Radio also released a seasonal EP. We’d never heard of them before now, but this banjo-and-harmony-flecked band give a warm campfire glow that makes us anxious to hear more.
The A.V. Club’s Holiday Undercover series cruises along with two more winners. First, Australian indie band Little Red dig up an obscure chestnut by their countryman Neil Gray. Then, Office Of Future Plans (featuring J. Robbins of Jawbox) and Damon Locks (of the Eternals) cover the Dead Kennedys’ “Holiday In Cambodia.”
Little Red – Christmas Lights (Neil Gray cover)
Office Of Future Plans and Damon Locks – Holiday in Cambodia (The Dead Kennedys cover)
Familyre Records, home to Sufjan Stevens, has a Christmas album out – their fourth in as many years – and they’re adding a new track every day. Some artists dig a little deeper on their covers, though. When was the last time you heard a good “Kontakion of the Forefeast of the Nativity”?
All Americana-ed out? Then check out L.A. electronic duo Public Jones’ danceable version of “Jingle Bells.” Perfect to get the office party thumping.
MP3: Public Jones – Jingle Bells
[audio: http://www.glgpub.com/_/audio/Jingle-Bells-Public-Jones.mp3|artists=Public Jones|titles=Jingle Bells]
Check out more Christmas covers here!
