Songs for Christmas (5xCD)
In December 2001, Sufjan Stevens set out to create a Christmas gift for his friends and family. The result was a 7-song recording that he called, Noel Volume 1. Over each of the next few Christmas seasons Sufjan would create a new EP to add to the collection. As he was recording Peace Volume V (in the
summer of 2006), he considered how best to 'officially' release this music in to the world. He said he was, "determined to present the EPs in their original form - flaws, blemishes, mistakes and all. A compilation would have been a cumbersome compromise. A 'Greatest Hits'
would have been heartbreaking (How to choose?)." In addition to the music he wanted to add a 'lavish display
of ornamentation' to coincide with the spirit of excess and overindulgence that is the hallmark of Christmas. Enclosed in the box you will find essays, a short story, song chords & lyrics, photos, a family portrait, and wishes for a Happy Christmas.![]()
| Tracklisting | |
| Disk | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 | The Little Drummer Boy |
| 2 | Away In A Manger |
| 3 | Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time! |
| 4 | The First Noel |
| 5 | Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!) |
| 6 | The Incarnation |
| 7 | Joy To The World |
| k d
- Omaha, NE, USA |
| This is an outstanding collection of Christmas music, all done in that beautiful Sufjan style. Tracks vary in style between quiet acoustics (think Sufjan's Seven Swans album) and the more filled-out, polished sound (think Illinoise). The 5 EPs here contain 15 original tracks that are modern and listenable, holding closely to the Christmas theme without ever becoming heavy or boring. The other tracks are renditions of traditional Christmas carols that are done with a care that maintains the pure Christmas sound of each while adding a touch of jangly guitars or a little banjo.
The set comes boxed with 5 individually packaged EPs, Christmas stickers, a Christmas family portrait, and a Christmas songbook with lyric sheets and chord charts. | |