For my last post before Christmas, I figured a Christmas song would be appropriate—but not just ANY Christmas song. I needed something dark yet still shimmery—you know, like a cold and snowy winter’s night. One of those pitch black nights when the snow begins to fall sort of like a glittery mist. Well, thankfully British singer/songwriter Maps (AKA James Chapman) has just the thing. Maps produced this STUNNINGLY SIMPLE, if not slightly melancholy, rendition of “In The Bleak Midwinter” featuring his labelmate and Music Is My King Size Bed favorite, Polly Scattergood. Check it out BELOW the cut and get into the Christmas spirit!
Both signed to Mute Records, Maps and Polly Scattergood became friends after a collaboration a number of years back at the Mute Short Circuit Festival. The two continue to hang out and write together, with this version of “In The Bleak Midwinter” being one of their recent and more seasonal collaborations. In a message to fans, Maps and Scattergood explain “‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ is one of our favourite Christmas songs so we decided to try our own version of it…and give it away as a present to say thanks for all the support this year.” THANKS GUYS! You can download the song over on Mute‘s official SoundCloud page if you’re so inclined.
Now, for a little history lesson about the song, “In The Bleak Midwinter” is a Christmas carol based on an 1872 poem by an English poet named Christina Rossetti. According to the ALWAYS reliable Wikipedia, the poem was transformed into a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal back in 1906. More recently in 2008, the song was named ‘Best Christmas Carol‘ in a poll conducted by some of the world’s most renowned choral experts. It was also included in the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas special, “A Christmas Carol,” and performed by Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins. Check out the visual for “In The Bleak Midwinter” by Maps and Polly Scattergood BELOW.
Merry Christmas
Check Out MAPS Online:
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Check Out Polly Scattergood Online:
Official Site || Facebook || Twitter || YouTube || Instagram