God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen is one of my favorite traditional Christmas carols; I've heard almost all versions of this song but never like this--a swinging, jazzy rendition that's blended with another traditional carol, We Three Kings, and awesomely performed by Canadian acts Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan. Even more amazing, this was actually an impromptu performance that was recorded live backstage at a 1996 music festival sponsored by a USA radio station, and the recording first appeared on a now-rare CD single that was distributed only to the Barenaked Ladies Fan Club in 1997. The song was then included on a Christmas compilation by various artists titled Christmas Songs in 2000 before being included again on the Barenaked for the Holidays album in 2004.
recorded live backstage at WPLT Planesfest, December 1996
from the albums Christmas Songs (2000) and Barenaked for the Holidays (2004)
We Three Kings written by John Henry Hopkins Jr.
© copyright 1997 Nettwerk Productions, Treat Baker Inc, WB Music Corp. All rights reserved.
