Flying in the face of all who attack my purported Sufjan mancrush and others who are accusing me of focusing on "lame indie rock" instead of church planting, ecclesiology, and issues pertaining to Gospel & culture-- I offer delicious Christmas treats this morning! (and it's not even Christmas!) I initially was elated when I found Sufjan's NPR exclusive track The Lord God Bird. But, that one track seemed a bit like a stocking stuffer when I found
Sufjan Christmas Volume I
Sufjan Christmas Volume 2
Sufjan Christmas Volume 3
(via Irresponsible Journalism)
The three volumes contain 24 tracks and you can burn them to one disc. Some of my highlights were O Come O Come Emmanuel; Come Thou Fount; Put The Lights on The Tree; and Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance-- OK, fine, I dig all of them. See the full track list here.
And, just in case you're too bitter and Grinch like to enjoy Christmas music, Welcome to the Midwest has offered some live radio tracks from Sufjan's new album here and here.
RELATED //
Delusions of Adequacy Interview With Sufjan
my brother... do not be deterred by the Pharisees who cry "hypocrite!" keep the wealth of your discoveries from musical rooting and grubbing coming our way. after all your site is cawleyblog... not theoblogy. that's no knock on Tony either... just a play on words i plagiarized from him.
onwards and upwards seeing Christ in culture (think: music) and community.
Posted by: dutchmafia | August 16, 2005 at 04:26 PM
I think katie now has enough reason for an annulment so you can go be with Sufjan.
Posted by: Michael Daling | August 16, 2005 at 07:45 PM
Sufjan is doing what we Christians oughta be doing.
If only, if ONLY church music (at least in my church) was half as good as Sufjan's.
Of course, again (at least in my church) so much in the worship service is...unintentional. Or, incidental. Or something.
Also, very cool you're going to Regent. Great school.
Posted by: JosiahQ | August 16, 2005 at 08:53 PM
Hey brother. It's been a while (still spotty internet access). Thanks for all the Sufjan stuff -- I now share your the Sufjan love and am grateful to discover more great music. But man am I disappointed by a line in that interview, when he mentions what recent music he hates and includes Wilco, saying “any-kind-of-hyphenated-country-music-is-just-not-country-music-if-you-ask-me”… are you kidding me? What the hell is that? I hope he's kidding. Since when is Wilco dubbed hyphenated country music? I don’t get it. So, there, I’ve now vented and will forgive and continue the Illinoise.
Posted by: Adam Beyer | August 20, 2005 at 10:40 AM
I forgot to mention -- speaking of Wilco (Milton and I agree that no love is greater than Tweedy love) -- there's an excellent XM Radio Bob Edwards Show interview with Jeff Tweedy than can be downloaded here from Wilco's site:
http://wilcoworld.net/roadcase/index.php#
Posted by: Adam Beyer | August 20, 2005 at 11:05 AM
wilco = hyphenated-wannabe-country-music
Posted by: dutchmafia | August 22, 2005 at 08:45 AM
I think Wilco has moved away from anything hyphenated and is something fairly unique. I don't even know what to call it, but I like it.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | August 22, 2005 at 02:24 PM
Yes, when I listen to the last three Wilco records, it's clear that they're actually hyphenated country of the wannabe sort. Insightful. Brilliant.
Posted by: Adam Beyer | August 23, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Just have to say that when Beyer and I go to the Wilco show in Austin next month (yes, Beyer is flying all the way to TX for a Wilco show) we will solve this genre mystery.
Posted by: Trey | August 24, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Hello, thanks for posting these songs. How do you put songs onto your blog? I have been trying to figure this out, but to no avail. Any help would be great.
Jim
Posted by: Jim | October 30, 2005 at 11:46 AM
does anyone know if these are legal versions of the .mp3's? I really nat to download (or buy), but i want to make sure Sufjan is cool wit' it.
-Peter
Posted by: peter | November 17, 2005 at 10:19 AM
Sufjan's comments on posting this music:
" Hi all
> note of explanation concerning the christmas songs:
> I recorded 3 Christmas EPs (2001-2003) to give as gifts to friends and
> family. They were all hand made. I sold a few of them around
> Christmas, if I happened to play shows, but they were never officially
> released. I don't sanction the posting of these songs online, but it
> doesn't really bother me.
> I have no intention of releasing them. Although I plan on doing an
> official Christmas album at some point and I'm sure a lot of those
> songs will be used as fodder.
> thanks, Sufjan"
>
Posted by: Jonathan | November 30, 2005 at 02:17 AM
Very cool.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | November 30, 2005 at 12:09 PM
Dude,
Sufjan reads your blog?! Awesome.
Posted by: Romney4Prez | November 27, 2006 at 04:06 PM
Here's a great review of Sufjan Stevens' Christmas Songs:
http://www.indierockcafe.com/2006/11/sufjan-steves-christmas-song.html
Posted by: phil | December 26, 2006 at 07:22 PM