Sufjan StevensSongs For Christmas

Label:

Asthmatic Kitty Records – AKR 028

Format:

Box Set
4 x CD , EP
CD , EP, Enhanced

Country:

US

Released:

Genre:

Pop

Style:

Holiday

Tracklist

Noel (2001) Vol. I 17:12
1.1 Silent Night
Acoustic Guitar, Electric GuitarSufjan Stevens
Music ByFranz X. Gruber*
Words ByJoseph Mohr
0:44
1.2 O Come O Come Emmanuel
Translated By [From Latin To English]John M. Neale*
Vocals, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Recorder, Effects [Reverb]Sufjan Stevens
Vocals, Electric GuitarMatt Morgan
Words ByTraditional
4:00
1.3 We're Goin' To The Country!
Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Bells [Sleigh], Other [Stocking Stuffers]Sufjan Stevens
Lead Vocals, Guitar [Electric]Matt Morgan
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
2:17
1.4 Lo! How A Rose E'Er Blooming
Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Vocals, GlockenspielSufjan Stevens
Arranged By [Originally]Michael Praetorius
Music ByAnonymous
Translated ByTheodore Baker
Vocals, BanjoMatt Morgan
Words By [15th Century German Carol]Traditional
3:22
1.5 It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad!
Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Organ [Electric], Drums, Vocals, Bells [Sleigh], Other [Mistletoe, Gloria In Eggshells Faygo]Sufjan Stevens
Vocals, Guitar [Electric]Matt Morgan
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
1:55
1.6 Holy Holy, Etc
Arranged By, Guitar [Many Electric Guitars, Nimbly Played]Matt Morgan
Music ByJohn B. Dykes*
0:41
1.7 Amazing Graze
Music ByTraditional
Vocals, Banjo, Acoustic GuitarSufjan Stevens
Vocals, Guitar [Electric]Matt Morgan
Words ByJohn Newton (2)
4:09
Hark! (2002) Vol. II 24:55
2.1 Angels We Have Heard On High
Bells [Various], GlockenspielSufjan Stevens
Music ByEdward S. Barnes*
0:45
2.2 Put The Lights On The Tree
Backing VocalsMarla Hansen
Backing Vocals, Other [Elfin Chuckles And Raindeer Giggles]Vito Aiuto
Drums, PercussionJames McAlister
Vocals, Keyboards [Electronic], Piano, Glockenspiel, Bells, Recorder, OboeSufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
1:48
2.3 Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Music By [American Melody]Traditional
VocalsMonique Aiuto
Vocals, Acoustic GuitarVito Aiuto
Vocals, Banjo, Piano, Electric Piano [Electronic], Glockenspiel, Bells [Sleigh]Sufjan Stevens
Words ByRobert Robinson (2)
4:43
2.4 I Saw Three Ships
Backing Vocals, Banjo, Oboe, Recorder, Drums, Bass, Bells [Sleigh]Sufjan Stevens
Music ByRichard W. Adams
Vocals [Lead], GuitarVito Aiuto
Words ByTraditional
2:34
2.5 Only At Christmas Time
Backing Vocals, Other [Holly, Ivy]Vito Aiuto
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano [Electronic], Bells [Sleigh], DrumsSufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
2:14
2.6 Once In Royal David's City
Backing Vocals, Banjo, Piano, Drums, Bells [Sleigh], OboeSufjan Stevens
Lead Vocals, GuitarVito Aiuto
Music ByHenry Gauntlett*
Words ByCecil Alexander
3:40
2.7 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
Bells, Glockenspiel [Played Through Various Special Effects]Sufjan Stevens
Music ByMendelssohn*
Words ByCharles Wesley
0:45
2.8 What Child Is This Anyway?
Acoustic Guitar, VocalsVito Aiuto
Backing VocalsMonique Aiuto
Vocals, Banjo, Bass, Keyboards [Electronic], Organ, Drums, Bells [Sleigh], Piano, Other [That Creepy Christmas Feeling, Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh]Sufjan Stevens
Words ByWilliam C. Dix*
6:47
2.9 Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Lead Vocals, Acoustic GuitarVito Aiuto
Other [Telephone]Sufjan Stevens
Written-By [French Carol]Traditional
1:39
Video Put The Lights On The Tree
AnimationTom Eaton
2:07
Ding! Dong! (2003) Vol. III 22:54
3.1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Piano, VocalsSufjan Stevens
Written-ByTraditional
1:03
3.2 Come On! Let's Boogey To The Elf Dance!
Backing Vocals, Other [Christmas Cheer]Laura Myers
VocalsDenison Witmer
Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Banjo, Bass, Drums, Bells [Sleigh], Tambourine, Recorder, Flute, Shaker, Glockenspiel, Other [Awesome Lyrics]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:49
3.3 We Three Kings
Vocals, Acoustic GuitarDenison Witmer
Vocals, Banjo, Organ [Electric], Electric Piano [Electronic], Bass, Recorder [Funny], Glockenspiel, TambourineSufjan Stevens
Words By, Music ByJohn Henry Hopkins
2:58
3.4 O Holy Night
Backing Vocals, Other [Christmas Cheer]Colin Stevens
Banjo, Vocals, Organ, Piano, Recorder, Glockenspiel, Bass, Drums, Tambourine, Shaker, Other [Bravado]Sufjan Stevens
Music ByAdolph Charles Adam*
Vocals, Acoustic GuitarDenison Witmer
Vocals, Other [High Notes, Christmas Cheer]Shara Worden
Words ByPlacide Cappeau
4:04
3.5 That Was The Worst Christmas Ever!
Vocals [Angelic]Shara Worden
Vocals [Earthly], Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Other [Sad Feelings]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:18
3.6 Ding! Dong!
Bells [Various], Glockenspiel [Various], RecorderSufjan Stevens
Music BySufjan Stevens
0:55
3.7 All The King's Horns
Vocals [Creepy]Vito Aiuto
Vocals, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums, Tambourine, Electric Piano [Electronic], Glockenspiel, Other [More Of That Creepy Christmas Feeling]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
2:59
3.8 The Friendly Beasts
Piano, Guitar, Recorder, Oboe, Drums, Bass, Shaker, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Banjo, Electric Piano [Electronic], Voice [The Narrator]Sufjan Stevens
Voice [The Cow]Laura Myers
Voice [The Donkey]Denison Witmer
Voice [The Doves]Vito Aiuto
Voice [The Sheep]Shara Worden
Written-By [French Carol]Traditional
3:42
Joy! (2005) Vol. IV 22:14
4.1 The Little Drummer Boy
VocalsBridgit DeCook
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Bells [Sleigh], TambourineSufjan Stevens
Words By, Music ByKatherine K. Davis
3:43
4.2 Away In A Manger
Music ByJames R. Murray
VocalsBridgit DeCook
Vocals, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Other [Nostalgia, Eggnog]Sufjan Stevens
Words By [Verse 3]John T. McFarland
Words By [Verses 1 & 2]Anonymous
2:54
4.3 Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!
VocalsBridgit DeCook
Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Bass, Guitar [Electric], Bells [Sleigh], Other [Positive , Negative , Christmas Cheer]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
4:41
4.4 The First Noel
Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Vocals, Other [Loneliness]Sufjan Stevens
Written-ByTraditional
0:52
4.5 Did I Make You Cry On Christmas? (Well, You Deserved It!)
VocalsBridgit DeCook
Vocals, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Tambourine, Bells [Sleigh], Keyboards [Electric], Shaker, Other [Irony]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:21
4.6 The Incarnation
Guitar [Electric], Effects [Reverb], Other [Even More Of That Creepy Christmas Feeling]Sufjan Stevens
Music BySufjan Stevens
2:23
4.7 Joy To The World
Music ByLowell Mason
VocalsBridgit DeCook
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Bells [Sleigh], Tambourine, Other [Mistletoe, Tidings Of Comfort & Joy]Sufjan Stevens
Words ByIsaac Watts
4:20
Peace (2006) Vol. V 35:55
5.1 Once In Royal David's City
Music ByHenry Gauntlett*
Piano [Four Slightly Out Of Tune Pianos]Sufjan Stevens
2:01
5.2 Get Behind Me, Santa!
DrumsJames McAlister
TromboneBen Lanz
TrumpetC. J. Camerieri
VocalsMarla Hansen
Vocals, Bass, Guitar [Electric], Organ [Hammond], Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Bells [Sleigh], Shaker, Synthesizer [Weird Synthesizer Sounds], Other [Mashed Potatoes And Gravy]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:49
5.3 Jingle Bells
Music ByJames Pierpont*
Piano [More Insipid Piano]Sufjan Stevens
0:36
5.4 Christmas In July
DrumsJames McAlister
TromboneBen Lanz
TrumpetC. J. Camerieri
ViolinRob Moose
Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Organ [Hammond], Guitar [Electric], Bass, Tambourine, Bells [Sleigh], Shaker, Other [Chestnuts Roasting On Open Fire]Sufjan Stevens
Vocals, ViolaMarla Hansen
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:16
5.5 Lo! How A Rose E'Er Blooming
Piano [Multiple Pianos, Played Very Earnestly]Sufjan Stevens
Written-ByAnonymous
1:45
5.6 Jupiter Winter
DrumsJames McAlister
TromboneBen Lanz
TrumpetC. J. Camerieri
ViolinRob Moose
Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Organ [Electronic], Bells [Sleigh], Shaker, Other [Figgy Pudding]Sufjan Stevens
Vocals, ViolaMarla Hansen
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
3:50
5.7 Sister Winter
Drums, Celesta [Celeste], Chimes [Wind], Vibraslap, Other [Christmas Cheer]James McAlister
Engineer [Drums, Percussion]Casey Foubert
TromboneBen Lanz
TrumpetC. J. Camerieri
ViolinRob Moose
Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electric], Bass, Drums, Bells [Sleigh], Tambourine, Other [Apologies, Cranberry Sauce]Sufjan Stevens
Vocals, ViolaMarla Hansen
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
5:04
5.8 O Come O Come Emmanuel
PianoSufjan Stevens
Written-ByTraditional
1:06
5.9 Star Of Wonder
TromboneBen Lanz
TrumpetC. J. Camerieri
VocalsMarla Hansen
Vocals, Piano, Guitar [Electric], Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Bass, Drums, Bells [Sleigh], Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Synthesizer [Funny Synthesizer Sounds]Sufjan Stevens
Words By, Music BySufjan Stevens
7:07
5.10 Holy, Holy, Holy
Music ByJohn B. Dykes*
Piano, Vocals, GuitarSufjan Stevens
VocalsMarla Hansen
Words ByReginald Heber
3:50
5.11 The Winter Solstice
Music BySufjan Stevens
Voice, Vibraphone, Piano, Guitar, Organ [Hammond], Synthesizer [Funny Synthesizer Sounds], Bells [Sleigh], TambourineSufjan Stevens
3:25

Companies, etc.

  • Copyright ©New Jerusalem Music
  • Copyright ©Asthmatic Kitty Records
  • Phonographic Copyright ℗Asthmatic Kitty Records
  • Mastered AtWest West Side Music
  • Recorded AtThe Buddy Project
  • Manufactured ByBellwether Manufacturing
  • Recorded AtAtlantic Sound Studios
  • Glass Mastered AtDisque Americ
  • Printed ByDisque Americ

Credits

  • Arranged BySufjan Stevens (tracks: 1.1 to 1.5, 1.7 to 5.11)
  • Artwork By [Comic Strip, Video Stills, Illustrations]Tom Eaton
  • Illustration [EP Covers]Stephen Halker
  • Liner NotesSanta Sufjan*
  • Mastered ByAlan Douches (tracks: 1.1 to 4.7)
  • Other [Short Story]Rick Moody
  • Painting [Christmas Portrait Painstakingly]Jacques Bredy
  • Photography By [Professional], Art Direction [Photo], Photography By [Christmas Portrait The Painting Is Rendered From]Denny Renshaw
  • Photography By, Transcription By [Chord Charts Painstakingly]Rob Moose
  • Recorded ByVito Aiuto (tracks: 2.1 to 3.8)
  • Recorded By, Producer, Other [Short Story], Design [Package Design], Layout, Typography, Artwork By [Illustrations]Santa Sufjan*

Notes

Box set which includes five EPs, a 40-page booklet, a comic and a sticker sheet.

Label written as 'Asthmatic Kitty Christmas'.

All songs by Sufjan Stevens
©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Music "O Come O Come Emmanuel": "Veni Emmanuel"
Music "What Child Is This Anyway": "Greensleeves"
Music "Away In A Manger": "Mueller"

Recorded at home in Brooklyn, New York:

Vol. I - December 2001
Vol. II - November 2002
Vol. III - December 2003 (and in Philadelphia, Pennysylvania)
Vol. IV - December 2005 (and at the Buddy Project in Astoria, Queens)
Vol. V - June 2006 (and at Atlantic Sound Studios in DUMBO, and at the Buddy Project in Astoria, Queens except auxiliary drums and percussion on track 7, engineered by Casey Foubert at Home, Seattle, WA.

Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.

Drums on "Put The Lights On The Tree" recorded at the Buddy Project, 2006. Other overdubs for this song were recorded in June 2006.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

  • Barcode (Sticker): 6 56605 60282 0
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 1, Variant 1, 2, 3): 304A3<7205>AKR0281 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 2, Variant 1, 2): 30513<7205>AKR0282 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 2, Variant 3): 303B3<7205>AKR0282 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 3, Variant 1, 2, 3): 304C3<7205>AKR0283 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 4, Variant 1, 2, 3): 304D3<7205>AKR0284 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Matrix / Runout (Vol. 5, Variant 1, 2, 3): 304E3<7205>AKR0285 WWW.BELLWETHERMFG.COM
  • Mastering SID Code (Vol. 1, Variant 1, 2, 3): IFPI L481
  • Mastering SID Code (Vol. 2, Variant 1, 2, 3): IFPI L481
  • Mastering SID Code (Vol. 3, Variant 1, 2, 3): IFPI L481
  • Mastering SID Code (Vol. 4, Variant 1, 2, 3): IFPI L481
  • Mastering SID Code (Vol. 5, Variant 1, 2, 3): IFPI L481
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 1, Variant 1): IFPI 811G
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 1, Variant 2): IFPI 81B0
  • Other (Vol. 1, Variant 2 (text on mould)): AD/CA
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 1, Variant 3): IFPI 810H
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 2, Variant 1): IFPI 811G
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 2, Variant 2, 3): IFPI 81A9
  • Other (Vol. 2, Variant 2, 3 (text on mould)): AD/CA
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 3, Variant 1): IFPI 811G
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 3, Variant 2): IFPI 810H
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 3, Variant 3): IFPI 81A9
  • Other (Vol. 3, Variant 3 (text on mould)): AD/CA
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 4, Variant 1): IFPI 811G
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 4, Variant 2): IFPI 811C
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 4, Variant 3): IFPI 811F
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 5, Variant 1, 2): IFPI 811F
  • Mould SID Code (Vol. 5, Variant 3): IFPI 810H
  • Rights Society: ASCAP

Other Versions (3)

View All
Title (Format) Label Cat# Country Year
New Submission
Songs For Christmas (Box Set, , 5×CD, EP) Rough Trade RTRADCDX450 UK 2006
New Submission
Songs For Christmas (CD, Compilation, Promo) Asthmatic Kitty Records none US 2006
New Submission
Songs For Christmas (Box Set, Compilation, 5×12", EP, Reissue) Asthmatic Kitty Records AKR028 USA & Europe 2018

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Reviews

  • blind_squirrel's avatar
    blind_squirrel
    Nowadays, it's kind of hard to imagine that there was a time when one couldn't put this one on at least a couple of times when that (think cursive) time of year comes around. In my book, a modern classic, quintessential. Thanks, Sufjan!
    • inshreds66's avatar
      inshreds66
      Is this a single? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
      • gatorjim57's avatar
        gatorjim57
        This could be done on a double LP without a problem. Put it on vinyl please.
        • SonderRecords's avatar
          SonderRecords
          This needs an abridged vinyl reissue. Even just 12 sounds would make me happy.
          • _jimbones's avatar
            _jimbones
            This delightful set is in desperate need of a vinyl re-issue!

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