Various Artists:
Ghosts of Christmas Past:
Les Disques du Crepuscule:
2xCD/DD:
Out November 27th 2015:
★★★★★★★★★☆
Originally released in 1981 and re-released or re-jigged infrequently during the past 30+ years, Ghosts of Christmas Past (and companion EP Joyeux Noel) has been as much a part of Christmas as, ooh, other festive compilations from indie labels. Perhaps what sets this one apart is its sense of fun, the playfulness on display and the downright weirdness of a few chancers.
This edition comes eight years after LTM revisited the series for a single disc pressing that boasted only some of the original recordings from the various different versions. Now expanded to a double CD and comprising the majority (but not all) of the oldies with a smattering of brand new or unreleased recordings from related acts, Crepuscule's charming document of seasonal ditties is as complete as it's ever going to be.
New contributions come from Section 25 who twee up Jesus Sweetly Sleeps rather triumphantly - Beth Cassidy sounding as angelic as ever, by the way - Miranda Dali giving Ono and Lennon's War Is Over a moody makeover, Marsheaux squeezing every last cent out of the word Christmas (and just about every New Order song title in its lyrics) on We Met Bernard Sumner at a Christmas Party Last Night and Ultramarine's woozy instrumental Winter Circle.
There is also an engaging little triptych of filmic snippets from Tuxedomoon's Blaine L. Reininger and both sides of the rare-as-hen's-teeth Hacienda Christmas flexi featuring the mysterious B Music (who aren't that mysterious if you know your Factory history).
Of the stalwarts, Paul Haig's Christiana and his jingle-like Scottish Christmas stand out, as do the two Durutti Column pieces (both sounding like LC outtakes), Antena's breezy sun-drenched Noelle a Hawaii, Aztec Camera's Django-esque Hot Club of Christ and The Names peerless Tokyo Twilight.
For sheer silliness, get on down to Tuxedomoon's Weihnachtsrap, the anonymous Swinging Buildings' tongue-in-cheek Praying For a Cheaper Christmas, Thick Pigeon's brief hopscotch-pop of Jingle Bell Rock and other Tuxedomoonie Winston Tong relaying his twelve lavish alternatives in the run up to the big day. Aficionados of the art of songwriting will probably enjoy The Pale Fountains' Benoit's Christmas and The Arcadians' Write Your Letter (The Arcadians being Louis Phillipe in all but name).
When things get a bit too weird - Michael Nyman and Magazzini Criminali spring to mind, head to the easier listening pleasures of The French Impressionists tackling the standard Santa Baby or the Gregorian closer on disc one provided by Monks in the Snow.
There's no Invocation by Cabaret Voltaire or Wim Mertens' For Christmas Only from earlier volumes but these are minor omissions when you consider what's on offer instead. The great thing is, much of the material on here can be played all year round. The gift that keeps on giving.
Ghosts of Christmas Past:
Les Disques du Crepuscule:
2xCD/DD:
Out November 27th 2015:
★★★★★★★★★☆
This edition comes eight years after LTM revisited the series for a single disc pressing that boasted only some of the original recordings from the various different versions. Now expanded to a double CD and comprising the majority (but not all) of the oldies with a smattering of brand new or unreleased recordings from related acts, Crepuscule's charming document of seasonal ditties is as complete as it's ever going to be.
New contributions come from Section 25 who twee up Jesus Sweetly Sleeps rather triumphantly - Beth Cassidy sounding as angelic as ever, by the way - Miranda Dali giving Ono and Lennon's War Is Over a moody makeover, Marsheaux squeezing every last cent out of the word Christmas (and just about every New Order song title in its lyrics) on We Met Bernard Sumner at a Christmas Party Last Night and Ultramarine's woozy instrumental Winter Circle.
There is also an engaging little triptych of filmic snippets from Tuxedomoon's Blaine L. Reininger and both sides of the rare-as-hen's-teeth Hacienda Christmas flexi featuring the mysterious B Music (who aren't that mysterious if you know your Factory history).
Of the stalwarts, Paul Haig's Christiana and his jingle-like Scottish Christmas stand out, as do the two Durutti Column pieces (both sounding like LC outtakes), Antena's breezy sun-drenched Noelle a Hawaii, Aztec Camera's Django-esque Hot Club of Christ and The Names peerless Tokyo Twilight.
For sheer silliness, get on down to Tuxedomoon's Weihnachtsrap, the anonymous Swinging Buildings' tongue-in-cheek Praying For a Cheaper Christmas, Thick Pigeon's brief hopscotch-pop of Jingle Bell Rock and other Tuxedomoonie Winston Tong relaying his twelve lavish alternatives in the run up to the big day. Aficionados of the art of songwriting will probably enjoy The Pale Fountains' Benoit's Christmas and The Arcadians' Write Your Letter (The Arcadians being Louis Phillipe in all but name).
When things get a bit too weird - Michael Nyman and Magazzini Criminali spring to mind, head to the easier listening pleasures of The French Impressionists tackling the standard Santa Baby or the Gregorian closer on disc one provided by Monks in the Snow.
There's no Invocation by Cabaret Voltaire or Wim Mertens' For Christmas Only from earlier volumes but these are minor omissions when you consider what's on offer instead. The great thing is, much of the material on here can be played all year round. The gift that keeps on giving.