ineedtosleep
This is such a pleasant surprise! Because I am not a big fan of many Christmas albums. But this is so loose, playful and full of warmth. And it is both touching and funny...
Favorite track: Jingle Bells.
Jason Revis
From concept, to execution, to presentation, just a brilliant album! I wish I could have been in the room when it was recorded. The joy and love shared between the musicians comes through crystal clear in the performances captured here. Grab the vinyl while you still can!
The conductor says:
"CHRiSTMAS SONGS? Well, yes...
Perhaps we don’t need another generic, big budget Christmas album with the same glossy arrangements for the 101st time...
But this is not one of those.
The working title for the album was ”The Second Hand Orchestra – chewing the home-cooked christmas candy”.
And the idea was to bring back the love we once had for these songs, so we decided to go into a studio with free minds and have some loose jams. Some of the songs we could not remember fully, so we focused on specific parts and others we knew (too well) and had to play around with them a little to make them ours. While not being professionals at cooking christmas candy, we really put our love into this and yes, you can eat as many as you like!"
---
The Swedish 8-piece DIY orchestra (with a loose line up of ace musicians coming and going) is led by Karl Jonas Winqvist who also is the label founder of Sing a song fighter and a producer (James Yorkston,the Senegalese acts Wau Wau Collectif, and Assiko Golden Band De Grand Yoff, Vumbi Dekula's "Congo Guitar" and many more..).
The Second Hand Orchestra has previously released three inventive, charming instrumental albums that UK label and store Honest Jon's described sounding as a "lo-fi, homegrown mix of unreleased demos from Penguin Café Orchestra and Moondog".
The orchestra have recently made the soundtrack for the award winning documentary "Det krokiga och det raka (crooked lines of beauty)" which was aired on Swedish national Tv and is now making the film festivals rounds.
In 2024 the second hand orchestra (who also feature Lina Langendorf from Langendorf United on horns) will for the 3rd time act as the backing band on the new James Yorkston album (out on Domino) which also feature Nina Persson (the cardigans).
But with many tricks on their sleeves they have now cooked up an amazing, playful Christmas album full of life.
credits
released December 5, 2023
Arranged, conducted and produced by Karl Jonas Winqvist.
Recorded by Alexander Pierre in two September days on analog tape at Örnsbergs Musikstudio, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mixing by Alexander Pierre.
Mastered by Kramer
Cpver photo: Per Kristiansen.
Album design: Leo Norgren
The orchestra playing on these Christmas hits:
Karl Jonas Winqvist - castanets, bells, harmonica, steel pan, rhythm box, percussion, omnichord,backing vocals, piano ("Det strålar...") and drums ("Räven raskar..", "Raska fötter.", "Det strålar.." and "White Christmas")
Lina Langendorf - flute. bass clarinet and saxophone
Ulrika Gyllenberg - violin
Emma Nordenstam - cello, piano, andes flute ("White Christmas"), upright bass ("Fairytale of New York"), piano, mini-balafon, percussion and backing vocals.
Gilbert Johansson -guitars, backing vocals, glockenspiel, drums and percussion.
Alexander Pierre - slide guitar ("Auld Lang Syne")
Amanda Fritzén - accordion and backing vocals
Viktor Brobacke - trombone, percussion and backing vocals.
Johan Arrias - clarinet
Ylva Ceder - oboe, english horn, backing vocals
Matti Winqvist - recitation ("Happy X-mas, war is over"
Patric Thorman - uprigh bass
Jonna Sandell - violin
Daniel "Violence" Holmgren - fluegelhorn, drums ("Happy New Year")
Merry Christmas! Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear..
supported by 9 fans who also own “So, this is Christmas..”
It has a delightful homemade whimsical quality. Haunting and humorous at the same time. I love the production, it’s kind to my ears. I get to finish the colouring in too. Improvised wonky “gift” packaging made us smile. littledave
The excellent Barcelona label House of (S)PUNK is back with a five-song comp showcasing the local hardgroove scene. Bandcamp New & Notable May 1, 2024
supported by 9 fans who also own “So, this is Christmas..”
I normally only listen to electronic music, but after listening to this album months ago I found it kept calling out to me. Now after purchasing it I can see why. I am totally addicted to its beauty and harmony. Thank you so much for the wax version, as it is the only form of music I collect. kaosskid