Thea Gilmore - 'The St. Stephen's Day Murders'

Released in 2009, Thea Gilmore's Christmas collection Strange Communion is a gem of a record that never seems to receive the annual radio airplay it so richly deserves. This well-crafted collection of songs opens with the goose-bump inducing Sol Invictus, an ode to the Roman Sun God whose festival fell upon the 25th of December, includes a cover of Yoko Ono's Listen, The Snow Is Falling and takes in part of Louis MacNeice's Autumn Journal along the way.

As Christmas albums go I'll admit it's not your usual collection of festive sugar and cinnamon; there are no songs of magical snowmen or pleas for presents under the tree here, instead the songs have a refreshing feeling of a cold Winter about them, replete with observations on the family festivities that most all will find familiar.

One such ditty is a rousing cover of an Elvis Costello and Paddy Maloney song, the St. Stephen's Day Murders, which was written for The Chieftains' 1991 album The Bells of Dublin. This tale of drunken the-day-after-Christmas-Day hijinks, of too much Tia Maria and Irn Bru, of Gin-soaked whiskers and exploding televisions, is a suitably wry take on celebrations for the feast of St. Stephen as you would expect from Mr Costello. 

Thea's version of the song features the vocal talents of famed ex-Shirehorse and BBC Radio DJ Mark Radcliffe, his dry delivery balancing Ms. Gilmore's melodic vocals. If you've recovered from yesterday's over-indulgence, and need a tune to soundtrack your lunch of cold Turkey and baked potatoes, you could do no better than playing this to your loved ones.

Stealing Sheep - 'Wonderful Christmastime'

Some years ago, after a last minute rain-check from a chum, I found myself staring into a half-full pint glass in a pub on Albert Road, contemplating whether or not to have another beer before venturing into The Wedgewood Rooms to see Villagers. Erring on the side of caution I decided to gauge my decision on who the support act were; after a brief foray online I finished my beverage, exited the pub, and directed my feet to the venerable Southsea venue where I very much enjoyed Stealing Sheep's support set.

Two LPs, several singles and a few years later the Liverpool trio remain a consistently innovative and entertaining band, producing interesting and melodic electro-pop. The band are due to release their third long player in the new year but, for Christmas and specially recorded for Stuart Maconie & Mark Radcliffe's BBC Radio 6 Music afternoon show,  they've released a suitably electro cover of Macca's Wonderful Christmastime.

Paul McCartney's 1979 festive classic is twee pop gem which consistently divides opinion at this time of year. Love it or loathe it you will hear it at some point over the holiday season. Stealing Sheep's cover gifts the song with a mellow electronica vibe, delicate vocals and some welcome synth drum sounds.



The song will be available for download, at a pay-your-own-price rate, until Boxing Day so if you want to pep up your festive playlist with something interesting be sure not to hesitate.