One: The One I Love

Rosie Thomas (w. Sufjan Stevens): The One I Love

[purchase]

So I saw the new theme, and I corralled all of my “One” songs, and I put this one on the back burner. But then I remembered that is sort of a duet, and my brain said “transition!” So, here it is.

Rosie Thomas delivers a beautiful reading of the old REM song. Is it truly a duet? Well, Sufjan Stevens sings background harmonies, his and her voice intertwining beautifully on the chorus. But she clearly sings lead throughout. So, I will ask for opinions on this one.

Thomas has chosen to cover The One I Love in a spare arrangement which tends to focus the listener’s attention on the lyrics. Michael Stipe’s lyrics are often enigmatic, but this is one of the most direct songs he has written, so this treatment really works.

Jingle Bells: Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year

Rosie Thomas: Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year

[purchase]

It starts out with a staccato piano rhythm... then an explosion of drums... then another piano, with a bouncy beat... then "the tintinnabulation that so musically wells from the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells - from the jingling and the tinkling of the bells"!

I was already familiar with the songs of Rosie Thomas, having bought her first two CDs years ago after reading about her on the Joni-list - the title of Rosie's Only with Laughter Can You Win is a nod to the influence of Joni Mitchell...

Then Boyhowdy gave me the heads-up a few months back about Rosie's soon-to-be-released Christmas CD, on which she covers Alvin and the Chipmunks' Christmas, Don't Be Late and Joni's River... both haunting, stripped-down versions of the originals - I was curious to hear more and bought the single of Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year from iTunes, immediately falling in love with her exuberant embrace of the season of family and friends... and including it in my eighth annual holiday mix, soon to be distributed to my own circle of loved ones...

Raise your hand if you wish it was Christmastime all year - We do! We do!

Clothes: Pretty Dress

Rosie Thomas: Pretty Dress

[purchase]

I’m happy that Rosie Thomas has made a bit of a splash on the music blogosphere in recent years. She has a voice that falls somewhere between a young Joni Mitchell and Jane Siberry. (If you’ve never heard of Jane Siberry, stick around. I’ll be posting something by her as soon as an appropriate theme comes along. If you have heard of her, leave a comment.)

Getting back to Rosie Thomas, Pretty Dress is her take on the tale of The Ugly Duckling. Thomas tells the tale eloquently by keeping the lyrics simple; with repeated listenings, you come to realize just how well Thomas has told her tale, with not a word wasted