Yulefest: 'Thanks For Christmas' (A Three Wise Men cover by cuthbert)

[cuthbert]

This is the latest Yulefest entry, well...ever.  

It's a cover of 'Thanks for Christmas', released by the Three Wise Men way back in 1983. You may remember them in their later incarnation as Dukes of Stratosphear, or maybe just plain XTC.  

I thought this one would only take a day or two to complete, and well...it turned out a bit more complicated than I expected - it modulates up a half-step, and then back again, and so on back and forth for the rest of the song.   But it was fun to do, and it reminded me that Christmas is most special to kids (and this one's dedicated to my two year old nephew, who had a great time Christmas Day).

So even though it's for Christmas Past, I hope it brings back a little bit of Christmas for you today...

Thanks For Christmas
Kaspar/Melchior/Balthazar (aka, XTC)

performed by: cuthbert
instruments used:
miniPops rhythm machine, rock 1 beat (analog, baby!)
jingle bells
virtual solina trumpet
t.v. pal uke
guild d-25 acoustic guitar
'78 rickenbacker 4001 bass
toy piano
bulbul tarang
baby sitar
bina harmonium
mountain dulcimer
virtual tubular bells
recorder: recorded and mixed with Boss Micro BR, final-mixed and mastered in Audition.

Due to its size, Reverbnation offers the highest quality (256 kbps)

[reverbnation]6728270[/reverbnation]
  

[Gritter]

I know this one and this cover of it is incredible. I love all the playful little sounds going on...easily better than the original IMO. Great work here and early for next year's mix...countdown to Christmas Party Time...Countdown!

...a little bit of a Men Without Hats feel! I LIKE!

[Oldrottenhead]

thanks for this cuthbert im a big xtc fan and in particular i love their dukes of stratosfear incarnation, i thought i had heard everything by partridge a co, but this one i have never heard, bloody magic it is too,and instantly recognisable as an xtc song,

hell yeah what a belter this is.

[Oldrottenhead]

brilliant performance and recording cuthbert magic.

[Geir]

not familiar with the original, but this is FABULOUS !!!!!

Crystal clear production, great performance !! Love your laidback vocals with those wonderful harmonies. I can imagine this one is not easy to sing with all those modulations !
Creative instrument usage !!

On my 3rd listen already.

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gu Djin]

To borrow a quote  "magic" and not late - just very - very early!

Leigh

[Redler]

At first, I'm a big fan of XTC (Cd's and vinyl records, even 3rd dimension EP!), but I must admit I didn't know about those side projects, at all!

Your performing and arrangement is very XTCish, it doesnt matter I'm not familiar with the original; this sounds really gooood, cuth! All those nice flavors all around!! => Cuthbert folder. This is ear candy!

Kari

[hooper]

Ah, you saved the best of Yulefest for last!  
Lots of smiles while listening to this one.  

Love the sound effect each time as 'it's snowing down'.  Great, great job of arranging and putting this together.  Very creative use of a lot of different instruments and sounds... it really helps to keep the listener interested. One of your best vocals too, I think. A deceptively simple but actually rather complex song, well done.  Really, really good and a pleasure to listen to!

[j.g.]

That's one of the days best listenings so far, even my wife (and manager) agrees.
Great one to put us in the mood for Christmas, especially as we haven't any snow over here in Spain.
The best vocal I have heard from you and great arrangement.
Geoff

[Greeny]

Blimey, this is a bit special 'aint it!

So clear and coherent with some wonderful little touches. I've never heard it before, but it's bloody marvellous. I can hear all the time and attention to detail you've applied to make this as perfect as it could possibly be. Love it.

p.s. I love XTC and you can hear the Andy Partridge fingerprints on the songwriting. But, dare I say it, there's a dash of henwrench somewhere in here too on the vocal melody and phrasing....