Andrew Bird, like so many of us, was surprised by the pandemic in the spring. He was working on songs, preparing for concerts, but things turned out differently: “I just got back from recording from Chicago when the effects of the pandemic hit me. I live in the country near LA, in the mountains . I was surprised because I was busier than I thought. I went through the catalog of my old songs. Every day I recorded one of those old songs and posted it on Instagram. That kept me clear. But I’m one anyway introverted guy, so staying home wasn’t a big deal for me. ”
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Originated from the calm
But it wasn’t enough for Bird to work up his song catalog. In the seclusion, he worked on new songs: “During the pandemic there are no concerts, no studio recordings, but also no pressure. Instead, I was able to work creatively in peace. It was great for composing and writing. There is also such calm ‘Christmas in April’ came about. This different timing was good for me. I think I wrote really good songs, the main reason was the calm. ”
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With “Christmas in April” the idea of a Christmas album arose. Andrew Bird loves Christmas. The music, the smells, the warm light. Bird also has no objection to Christmas carols. So far, however, three albums have got him through the Christmas season: Bing Crosby’s Christmas album, Handel’s “Messiah” and the music of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, which Bird particularly loves: “I wanted to cover his songs and have put together a jazz quartet for it. ‘Alabaster’ is one of them Song with its influences. ”
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Unusual selection
There were many inspirations for this Christmas album, with Christmas songs being a broad field for Bird: “One song says: ‘The snow melts and becomes water.’ The John Cale song ‘Andalucia’ is also about snow and Christians . That already qualifies it as a Christmas carol for me. It’s an unusual selection, but I’m really happy with the result. ”
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The advent calendar from Bird has only thirteen little doors in song form, which open and throw a completely different shine on Christmas. “O Holy Night” floats past us with flute tones. “White Christmas” is sparsely orchestrated to the plucked mandolin and whistle melody. “Auld Lang Syne” surfs in country swing. And “Greenwine”, an adaptation by the country duo Handsome Family, lets Christmas end in an alcohol fiasco like in a Pogues or Tom Waits ballad.
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Just as Christmas 2020 will be a Christmas like no other before, so is “Hark!” the right album for it. Weird, beautiful, wild, rough as frost. But straight from the heart. For our hearts: “I have really tried hard to counter the kitsch that we have to endure every year with something new,” hopes Andrew Bird.
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