Sufjan Stevens
Blue Bucket of Gold (remix)
Asthmatic Kitty Records

Sufjan Stevens just launched a remix of his song "Blue Bucket of Gold", from the fantastic Carrie & Lowell album. When I click to play, I regret that I dropped his concert in Oslo in September...

Raise your right hand
Tell me you want me in your life
Or raise your red flag
Just when I want you in my life

40-year-old Sufjan Stevens has had an amazing career over the last 15 years. The first time I saw him on-stage was as part of Danielson Famile (Stevens being the drummer!) in April 2002, at All Tomorrow's Parties, Camber Sands, UK. Two singles were lifte from Carrie & Lowell, "No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross" and "Should Have Known Better". Then came the non-abum track, "Exploding Whale" (sold on-tour promoting the latest album). And, finally, a 'remix single' of "Blue Bucket of Gold", the beautiful closing track from his very personal Carrie & Lowell. The remix was made with members of his touring band (Nico Muhly, Steve 'Zardok' Moore, Dawn Landes, Casey Foubert, James Mc Allister), and is said to be 'an interpretation of the band's live version of the song'. The song worked fine as the sparse version on the album, but this careful remix (recorded by Tucker Martine in Portland, OR and at Stevens' own studio in Brooklyn, NY) has even added some colour and tint to the song without destroying it. Not at all. Some aromatic rhythms, some gentle waves of sound and a 'bigger' backing have been added and the song rise a few clicks to another level. The changes aren't dramatic or drastic, but it's a most pleasing new version we meet. Enjoy. Make sure to revisit Carrie & Lowell as well.

Copyright © 2015 Håvard Oppøyen