Selective listening, holiday special | Songs for New Year’s Eve

Posted at 6:30 a.m.

The choice of Alexandre Vigneault

Sleigh ride of Jill Barber

Sleigh ride or Sleigh Ride ? With Jill Barber, we don’t have to experience this heartbreak: she recorded this Christmas classic in both languages. This idea is apparently inspired by a defunct format, the 45-rpm record, which would have allowed him to put one of the versions on side A and the other on side B. In 2024, it’s also a good thing for make sure to appear in the “Christmas” and “Noel” playlists to maximize plays. Her charming accent brings to mind many other North American jazz singers, Blossom Dearie in the lead, who sing in the language chosen by Joséphine Baker, which fuels the feeling of nostalgia. This Sleigh ride with Jill Barber is not as delightful as with Ginette Reno, whose version remains incomparable, but it warms the heart.

The choice of Marissa Groguhé

Three angels by Arielle Soucy

Arielle Soucy multiplied her voice in a fabulous way to sing the Christmas carol in canon and harmony Three angels came tonight (which she simply titled Three angels). It is thus she alone who provides the trio of voices to this classic composed in 1889 by the Frenchwoman Augusta Holmès. The singer-songwriter, whose musical inclination is rather folk, is accompanied here by the acoustic guitar to perform this song of breathtaking beauty, beautifully arranged, to which she infuses a personal touch (what talent as a performer! ) which suits it particularly well.

The choice of Josée Lapointe

A child’s heart for Christmas by Laurence Jalbert

In this second Christmas album in his 35-year career — we can’t blame him for overdoing it! —, Laurence Jalbert has chosen a repertoire that strays a little from the beaten track. Translations, reinterpretations, surprising versions (the prize goes to Be faithful, in French and swinging, accompanied on the banjo!) and discoveries make up this album of eight pieces where we also find essentials – how can you miss Midnight, Christians ? In this aptly titled album A child’s heart for Christmasthe Gaspé singer delved into her little girl memories to rediscover the spirit of joy of this time of year. All laid on a very refined country bed of guitar and pedal steel, which perfectly supports his warm voice and his interior interpretation.

The choice of Dominic Tardif

Have you seen Santa Claus? Vanilla

California isn’t really where the white season unfolds with the most magic, but in 1964, the Beach Boys still managed to place a masterpiece of a Christmas album under the tree, full of the cheerfulness and also the melancholy specific to this time of year. Only Rachel Leblanc, aka Vanille, and her impeccable taste for sparkling discoveries, could unearth from our collective cedar chest the Quebec adaptation of one of their songs, The Man With All the Toysrecorded in 1968 by the immortal Renée Martel. Impossible to imagine a sweeter toy than this heady melody, packed with glockenspiel, chiming guitars and this clear voice like a winter sun.

The choice of Pierre-Marc Durivage

Fresh Snow At Christmas by Jethro Tull

The legendary group Jethro Tull has never been ashamed to trumpet its affection for the sounds of the holiday season. On the contrary, its leader Ian Anderson allowed himself to sing festive flute tunes from the end of the 1960s with classics like A Christmas Song. However, it was only in 2003 that Jethro Tull released their first real Christmas album, made up of reinterpretations of songs composed over the years, in addition to original titles. This year, Ian Anderson commissioned Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord to completely remix the album. With its sometimes Celtic, sometimes rock, but always luminous sounds, The Jethro Tull Christmas Album – Fresh Snow At Christmas comes at the right time for those looking to vary their holiday playlists!