You don't have to appear on a televised karaoke game to qualify for releasing a seasonal single Effsee. Even the much lauded Unthanks have wares available in this year's Christmas market y'know...

Talking of Thea Gilmore though....having enjoyed her appearance on "BBC4 Christmas Folk" so much I went to her MySpace for a quick listen to the recorded versions of both songs she performed (That'll Be Christmas and Midwinter Toast) and found something else from her latest album that might be the best grumpy and anarchic Christmas song since 'Fairytale in New York'.

'St Stephen's Day' Murders (written by Elvis Costello) reminds me very much of family Boxing Days in years gone past. Her duet partner is a voice you should know well....in my opinion this would have been a GREAT one to have done with Jon Boden and Bellowhead at Shoreditch.

http://www.myspace.com/theagilmore