Advent Madness 2015

In the fullness of time, Advent Bracket Madness has come again. We may now commence with politicking, voting, hand-wringing, and YELLING IN ALL CAPS as our online community once again works to find the best versions of Christmas Carols.

I began two years ago with a selfish vision, wanting to choose for myself my favorite versions while you all watched me blog about it. While I was quite proud of some of the writing that came from it, I had no idea how invested you all would be, demanding control and a say in this venture. So we switched to a voting bracket, which caused me no small amount of anxiety because you people are so often wrong, wrong, wrong.

The first year I did a different song each week, a bit too much for me to accomplish. Last year I scaled back to only one song, and this year we will go for a compromise of two songs. First, we will work to find the best version of “The Coventry Carol“. I know, I know, it’s not one of the “bigs”. But this melody and these words capture the anguish and darkness  and beauty of Advent…the waiting before the celebration. Second, we’ll find the best version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Join in! Vote! Yell and complain and “rock the vote” with your friends, families, acquaintances, or people you meet on public transportation!

BUT FIRST…I need your nominations for the versions of “The Coventry Carol” that you like (or can find), so that I can set up a bracket for us. Submissions can be made as a comment here, on the Facebook link, or in an email to me. Get them to me by Friday night at 9 pm PST, and we will get this rolling.