A holiday tradition since 2009: Eclectic and unusual arrangements of holiday favorites. Polka to metal, funk to avant garde, Beckstrom Holiday Extravaganza Volume VIII has it all!
Russian Dance – A funk arrangement performed in one take (per instrument). Influenced by James Brown, Vulfpec
You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch – Electro disco, vocoder, horns. Think Daft Punk, early 80s disco
Mele Kalikimaka Polka – At last, more polka! An arrangement loosely in the style of Frankie Yankovic, with a jazz section in the middle
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Most likely the first industrial techno arrangement of this particular holiday tune. Influenced by Paula Temple, Ansome, and more
Away in a Manger – Starting with an ostinato from my homemade modular synthesizer, the song becomes filled in with guitars. Influenced by the “desert blues” music of Northwest Africa, specifically Mali and groups like Bombino, as well as the dense harmonies of the Maria Schneider Orchestra (jazz).
Joy to the World – A sort of vaporwave/smooth jazz crossover arrangement
Santa Baby – The holidays could always use some more metal! Influenced by speed metal, black metal, and Rage Against the Machine
O Kwanzaa – A pseudo-African electro arrangement influenced by West African pop music and William Onyeabor (if you haven’t heard his stuff, check him out!)
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas – A sort of 20th century avant garde classical treatment, influenced by the pitch clouds of Xenakis and the sounds of Webern, Varese, and to a lesser extent Schoenberg.