Performer Notes

Lyricist: Sufjan Stevens.
Personnel: Sufjan Stevens (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, flute, recorder, oboe, piano, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer, vibraphone, glockenspiel, bass guitar, drums, shaker, tambourine, percussion, bells, sleigh bell, chimes); Vito Aiuto (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, background vocals); Matt Morgan (vocals, guitar, electric guitar, banjo); Denison Witmer (vocals, acoustic guitar); Monique Aiuto (vocals, background vocals); Shara Warden, Bridgit DeCook (vocals); Rob Moose, Naho Tsutsui (violin); Maria Bella Jeffers (cello); C.J. Camerieri (trumpet); Ben Lanz (trombone); James McAlister (celesta, drums, vibraslap, percussion, wind chime); Colin Stevens, Laura Myers (background vocals).
Liner Note Authors: Sufjan Stevens; Rick Moody.
Recording information: Atlantic Sound Studios, Dumbo (12/2001-??/2006); Home, Brooklyn, NY (12/2001-??/2006); Home, Seattle, WA (12/2001-??/2006); Philadelphia, PA (12/2001-??/2006); The Buddy Project, Queens, NY (12/2001-??/2006).
Animation: Tom Eaton .
Illustrator: Tom Eaton .
Photographer: Denny Renshaw.
Unknown Contributor Role: Shara Warden.
Arrangers: Matt Morgan; Sufjan Stevens.
Never one to lack ambition, indie-pop hero Sufjan Stevens takes the tried-and-true holiday album to a new level with this 2006 five-disc Christmas box set. A mix of Stevens originals and Yuletide classics recorded between 2001 and '06, the collection presents the amiable singer/multi-instrumentalist performing festive self-penned tunes such as the bouncy, piano-driven "Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!" and the White Stripes-referencing, ELO-influenced "Get Behind Me, Santa!" along with no less than three versions of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." While five discs may seem exhausting to some, for those who adore both Christmas and Stevens, this lovingly assembled compilation makes for hours of smart, celebratory fun.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (p.114) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Stevens' fragile banjo-and-tenor caroling is lovely, and several of his own songs belong in the Xmas canon..."

Entertainment Weekly (p.85) - "[His] rare combination of deep religiosity and dark whimsy makes SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS the season's most thrilling holiday release." -- Grade: A

Q (p.152) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Amassing 42 tracks, from the traditional to whimsical originals, it's testament to his prolific work rate. There's not shortage of seasonal cheer either..."

Uncut (p.98) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The tone is generally one of mild encouragement....The tracks offering a slightly askance look at the festive season are most entertaining..."

CMJ (p.5) - "[T]racks meant to bring peace on earth and goodwill towards men....There isn't much not to like here."

Record Collector (magazine) (pp.94-95) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t would be a great pleasure to hear these 42 tracks at any time of year....There are banjos, unexpected synths and, of course, sleigh bells galore."

Album: Songs for Christmas
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	Silent Night	More Info...
2)	O Come O Come Emmanuel	More Info...	0:04
3)	We're Goin' to the Country	More Info...	0:02
4)	Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming	More Info...	0:03
5)	It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad	More Info...	0:02
6)	Holy, Holy, Holy	More Info...
7)	Amazing Grace	More Info...	0:04
8)	What Child Is This Anyway?	More Info...	0:06
9)	Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella	More Info...	0:01
10)	Holy, Holy, Holy	More Info...	0:04
11)	The Winter Solstice	More Info...	0:03

Album: Songs for Christmas
#	Song Title		Time
	Disc 1
1)	Silent Night	More Info...
2)	O Come O Come Emmanuel	More Info...	0:04
3)	We're Goin' to the Country	More Info...	0:02
4)	Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming	More Info...	0:03
5)	It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad	More Info...	0:02
6)	Holy, Holy, Holy	More Info...
7)	Amazing Grace	More Info...	0:04
8)	What Child Is This Anyway?	More Info...	0:06
9)	Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella	More Info...	0:01
10)	Holy, Holy, Holy	More Info...	0:04
11)	The Winter Solstice	More Info...	0:03