V.A. – »A Whale in a Manger« (4-4-2 Music)

Xmas Muzak // Australian record- and Netlabel 4-4-2 Music released a wonderful compilation in December 2008 I only stumbled about now. As the weather in Northern Germany is exactly like it normally is on Christmas Eve ‘round here, maybe a review makes sense. “A Whale in the Manger” brings together six artists and their interpretation of Christmas carols.

Telafonica - “Angels We Have Heard On High” (MP3)

Eliza Magill - “Joy To The World” (MP3)

Actually, this compilation is only four songs and one musical collective:

<img class=”alignleft” src=”http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/christmas-songs-16.jpg”Sydney-based Telafonica start with their version of “Angels We Have Heard On High”. Absolutely intriguing, the band contrasts their coldish Trip Hop / Electronica sound with the heavenly “Gloria, in excelsis Deo” hookline of the traditional carol. Wonderful voices (Magill/ Elmer), wonderful trumpets.

<img class=”alignleft” src=”http://nethymnal.org/img/a/d/o/Adoration%20of%20the%20Shepherds,%20Jacob%20Jordaens%20(1593-1678).jpg”Second is Telafonica songstress Eliza Magill. Her version of “Joy to the World” is far more traditional, but nonetheless skilful and beautiful. In duet with the male vocals (Adrian Elmer), the whole version sounds like a light-hearted version of Low (who must be names when it comes to Christmas carols of course). Fully acoustic, intimate recording, a heartbreaker.

<img class=”alignleft” src=”http://washingtonmo.com/christmas/images/1038b.jpg”The Lessons in Time hails from New South Wales and deliver the lopsided part of this compilation. Pretentious on first listen, a revelation at repeated performance! Blake Wassell, the lad behind the moniker, delivers an emotional lo-fi version of “O Holy Night” and raises the hymnal potential of the original to higher power. The Australian Liger? Oh, he plays in Telafonica as well!

Eventually, Telafonica join for a last hymnal. “Good News (Sing for Joy)” I wasn’t able to identify properly, but who cares? Trip Hop and electronic music-influenced Popmusic, only the female vocals fit the concept better.

V.A. – »A Whale in a Manger« (4-4-2 Music)

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