Mod of the Day

Trijntje Ooterhuis | Joy To The World

Thanks to Steck for submitting this mod. His write-up is below:

Vocalist Trijntje Oosterhuis is a Dutch pop star. Her first fame came with the pop group Total Touch, which included her brother Tjeerd. She was a founding member of the Dutch supergroup Ladies of Soul, originally formed for a memorial concert for Whitney Houston, and which continues to put on an annual concert. In her solo career, she’s recorded several albums of Burt Bacharach compositions, with Bacharach playing on some tracks.

In case you were wondering how to pronounce her name, you can find that here.

“Joy to the World” is an English Christmas carol dating from 1719. (Editor’s note: Jeremiah the bullfrog is not part of this tune.) This recording is taken from her 2010 release of holiday songs “This Is The Season”.

Starting in B♭, there’s a modulation to B at 1:14. After a finger-picking guitar section by guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, there’s another half-step modulation at 1:58, and the choir takes us out.

The Piano Guys | Carol of the Bells

Thanks to JB for finding this stunning 12-cello arrangement of Carol of the Bells. His words below:

“I love the way the arrangement uses a key change in the “inner” quotation of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (key change at 2:10; quotation starts at 1:44) to then change the key in the “outer” tune of Carol of the Bells.

It’s also uncanny how this specific combination — (a) pizzicato cellos (b) making a whole-tone upwards mod — so strongly evokes a particular cinematic trope: viz., Jason Bourne, or some other Cold-War-era spy, being chased across a plaza in some European city as the net closes in.”

Pentatonix (feat. Kelly Clarkson) | Grown-Up Christmas List

Written by MotD favorite David Foster with Linda Thompson-Jenner, “Grown-Up Christmas List” is the fourth track on the 2016 holiday album Christmas Is Here! by Pentatonix. The arrangement, which also features Kelly Clarkson on vocals, is based on Amy Grant’s cover.

Starting in Eb, there is a shift to C at 0:51 for the first chorus. It returns to Bb for the second verse and C for the second chorus. There is a modulation up a third to E for a brief interlude at 3:05, and a final key change down to Db at 3:20.

Oli Howe & Tori Kelly| Sleigh Ride

Thanks to MotD contributor Joya for finding this reharm-filled arrangement of Sleigh Ride by multi-instrumentalist Oli Howe, featuring vocals by Tori Kelly. Modulation at 1:41.

Mary J. Blige & Jessie J | Do You Hear What I Hear?

R&B singer Mary J. Blige featured English vocalist Jessie J on her cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear,” the ninth track on her first holiday album, A Mary Christmas, released in 2013. The track starts in Ab and subtly shifts up to A at 1:56

Johnny Mathis | Do You Hear What I Hear?

Johnny Mathis recorded “Do You Hear What I Hear” for his third holiday record, Give Me Your Love for Christmas, released in 1969. The track starts in C and bumps up a half step at 1:28.

Straight No Chaser | Do You Hear What I Hear?

The men’s a cappella group Straight No Chaser have released numerous holiday albums since their debut in 2008. “Do You Hear What I Hear” is the fourth track on their 2016 record I’ll Have Another…Christmas Album. It begins in D and modulates to Eb at 2:25.

Andrea Bocelli & Pentatonix | Do You Hear What I Hear?

MotD holiday favorite Pentatonix and Andrea Bocelli collaborated on a cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear” for the deluxe edition of Bocelli’s 2022 album A Family Christmas, which also features his two children Matteo and Virginia. The track begins C and shifts up a half step to Db at 2:00.

Bing Crosby | Do You Hear What I Hear?

Few voices are more associated with Christmas in the American psyche than Bing Crosby’s. He recorded “Do You Hear What I Hear?” in 1963. The tune starts in B and modulates up to C at 1:52.

Matt Boyd | Where Are You Christmas? (feat. Katherine McPhee & Pia Toscano)

The Nashville-based singer Matt Boyd covered “Where Are You Christmas?” for his holiday EP Feels Like Christmas, released earlier this year. The track features former American Idol contestants Katherine McPhee and Pia Toscano. The song starts in Bb, shifts to C at 2:33, and moves to D at 2:50.