Sufjan Stevens played a new song last week @ Castaway’s in Ithaca, NY. And fortunately for you and I, a fan took a video of that performance and shared it with our friends over at I Guess I’m Floating. And now I’m bringing it to you. So watch this video and let me know what you think. I personally love it. I think it is a fun change from his early days. It makes me sad to think that the next album he does might not be another state project. But as long as he’s still writing and recording I’ll be satisfied.
Asthmatic Kitty has just recently announced the release of a tribute to Steven’s sophomore record Enjoy Your Rabbit. The Osso Quartet, who contributed string arrangements for both Stevens’ heralded Illinois and My Brightest Diamond’s Bring Me the Workhorse, have rearranged and recorded Enjoy Your Rabbit for the string quartet. The album is titled Run Rabbit Run and set to be released on October 6th by Asthmatic Kitty.
Enjoy Your Rabbit, a collection of electronic instrumental pieces inspired by the different animals of the Chinese Zodiac, has been the only Sufjan Stevens record that has been difficult for me to get into. It’s just such a unique and different album compared to the rest of the Stevens’ canon. That’s not to say that I haven’t found songs on here that I enjoy or don’t have any respect for the record. This just happens to be the last record of his that I am likely to put on. All that to say, I am really excited to hear The Osso Quartet’s interpretation of the record. These guys are just so talented and I have loved everything that they have done with a Stevens song so far. Each of thes band members, Rob Moose (violin), Olivier Manchon (violin), Marla Hansen (viola), and Maria Bella Jeffers (cello), have traveled and recorded with some of the greatest artists and musicians in the business, from the New Pornographers to The Polyphonic Spree to The Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall.
Accompanying the album will be a series of artwork that draws its influence from the song and its corresponding animal of the Chinese zodiac. All of the artwork was done by Jessica Dressner, big sister to Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National. I haven’t had the chance to listen to this year, but I am jus so thrilled to hear new music that originated from the mind of the brilliant Sufjan Stevens. Take a listen to a couple of the original tracks off of the album that started all this fuss, Enjoy Your Rabbit.
1. Year of the Ox (arr. Michael Atkinson)
2. Enjoy Your Rabbit (arr. Michael Atkinson)
3. Year of the Monkey (arr. Michael Atkinson)
4. Year of the Tiger (arr. Rob Moose)
5. Year of the Dragon (arr. Nico Muhly)
6. Year of the Snake (arr. Olivier Manchon)
7. Year of the Horse (arr. Rob Moose)
8. Year of the Sheep (arr. Maxim Moston)
9. Year of the Rat (arr. Olivier Manchon)
10. Year of the Rooster (arr. Gabriel Kahane)
11. Year of the Dog (arr. Rob Moose)
12. Year of the Boar (arr. Michael Atkinson)
13. Year of Our Lord (arr. Michael Atkinson)
In the late 1970s, Johnny Cash hosted a Christmas Special each year, and pitchfork has decided to host a couple of their favorite moments the show. I really enjoyed them and I am sure you will too.
Here is a great version of Silent Night, performed by Johnny and his wife June Carter.
Here is the great gospel tune “This Train is Bound for Glory” performed by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins.
The late, great Andy Kauffman showing off his expertise by doing Elvis Presley’s “That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin.”
Here are a few more versions of possibly one of the most gorgeous Christmas songs ever written.
Wow…kind of exhausting. So if you dared to actually sample them all please share with us your favorite. Were you suprised by which one you liked the most. I know I was. I hope your ears aren’t actually bleeding, I just want you really enjoy the music.
Since two of my top three movies of the year were superhero movies (The Dark Knight, Iron Man), it’s no surprise that I am excited about the new X-Men movie coming out this next spring. Some early comments from critics and friends say that it looks kind of boring and that it doesn’t look too appealing compared to the fast-paced action of its predecessors. But I am going to have to disagree and say that it looks like it is going to be pretty awesome. I am more interested in the story than the action anyway, and I especially love the beginning of any story. Maybe that is why I liked Iron Man and the Batman movies so much, because they started from the beginning. Regardless I am pumped to see this movie next May. And I’m pretty sure that after watching this trailer, you will be too.
