This benefit compilation from 1999 features a bunch of Boston-area alt-rock-folk acts with their take on the holiday in service of the Mark Sandman Music Education Fund, which provides music education programs in Massachusetts schools in memory of the late singer/2-string bassist of the band Morphine. Jules Verdone gets off the only full original here, "Little Christmas," a 6/8 ballad with a downtempo outlook. Two versions of "The Christmas Song" appear, Jen Trynin's being studiously lo-fi in approach while Aimee Mann gives it the full Christmas TV special approach. Merrie Amsterburg uses mandolins to approach the sound of a harp on her version of "2000 Miles" and The Gentlemen do a straight Elvis cover of "Blue Christmas." "Let it Snow" by The Sex Foxes and Senor Happy's "Christmas Time is Here" are old-school lounge music. Brian Stevens medleys "The Christmas Waltz" with his own "Tinsel," sounding like a John Lennon outtake from the third Beatles Anthology. The Sheila Divine puts a folk-rock sheen on "O Holy Night" and the Gravel rock out "Marshmallow World." The Fly Seville does a bluesy take on "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and The Sterlings do a faithful cover of "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me." A fun "Mele Kalikimaka" by The Gravy wraps up the CD, complete with Spike Jones touches. Remains available as disc or download.
Viva Noel: A Q Division Christmas, various artists (Q Division)
This benefit compilation from 1999 features a bunch of Boston-area alt-rock-folk acts with their take on the holiday in service of the Mark Sandman Music Education Fund, which provides music education programs in Massachusetts schools in memory of the late singer/2-string bassist of the band Morphine. Jules Verdone gets off the only full original here, "Little Christmas," a 6/8 ballad with a downtempo outlook. Two versions of "The Christmas Song" appear, Jen Trynin's being studiously lo-fi in approach while Aimee Mann gives it the full Christmas TV special approach. Merrie Amsterburg uses mandolins to approach the sound of a harp on her version of "2000 Miles" and The Gentlemen do a straight Elvis cover of "Blue Christmas." "Let it Snow" by The Sex Foxes and Senor Happy's "Christmas Time is Here" are old-school lounge music. Brian Stevens medleys "The Christmas Waltz" with his own "Tinsel," sounding like a John Lennon outtake from the third Beatles Anthology. The Sheila Divine puts a folk-rock sheen on "O Holy Night" and the Gravel rock out "Marshmallow World." The Fly Seville does a bluesy take on "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and The Sterlings do a faithful cover of "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me." A fun "Mele Kalikimaka" by The Gravy wraps up the CD, complete with Spike Jones touches. Remains available as disc or download.
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