"Seven Swans Reimagined" is released by On Joyful Wings, a project that benefits the Susan G. Komen foundation. This is the label's second project.
 
The album Seven Swans is organized around a series of bible verses. Seven is Christan special number, referring to completeness, and referenced in the Book of Revelation. FWIW, the seven swans from "The 12 Days of Christmas" are said to refer to the the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and compassion.
 
Spin's review said Sufjan's "Seven Swans" sounded "like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school." I've appreciated Sufjan Stevens' songs because they grapple with faith and doubt accessibly, without preaching, with no special moral message in the bridge. For the unchurched, with a little imagination these songs are about friendship, longing, unrequited love and mystery. For me, it depends on the day as to which interpretation is more resonant.  
 
"The Dress Looks Nice On You" is a clap-happy spirited arrangement, with multi-part vocals by The Gregory Brothers. Good stuff. Nice reinterpretation of the original.  

"To Be Alone With You," sung by Joshua James, is one of my favorite songs on the album. The song is a lament from a believer to Christ about what the speaker would give up to have time alone with him, and what Christ gave up for the speaker. The songs speaks to faith and doubt, since for believers Christ is always present, but without strong faith you may not feel that presence. The song is haunting, as is the original, and well worth the price of admission. I'm hoping JJ comes around to Portland for a show…it's not such a long way from the Wasatch to the Cascades. This, to me, stands out as one of the songs that works very well as either a spiritual lament or really intense break-up song. 

The song I had the highest hopes for, and was the most disappointed in, was "Abraham" by Damion Suomi The recounting of the trial of Abraham as god lead him to make his son a sacrificial offering is excruciating. Suomi's version is too flush with country and gumption. This was the biggest miss for me on the album. Comparisons are unfair, though, and a shot-by-shot remake would have been disappointing as well. +1 for making it his own.  

Three songs were added to Reimagined that were not heard on Sufjan's "Seven Swans": I Went Dancing With My Sister, Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have, and Borderline. Of the three, "Borderline" by Inlets, stands out is a treat quintessentially Sufjan (No, this is not a Madge cover, although, that would have also been a rare treat). Thematically dark relationship material. Uncomfortable listening, enough to make you hit repeat on the track. Don't often hear clarinets carrying the melody. Lovely. The intro sounds like Tom Waits circa "Blood Money." Hit the link below to stream this gem.

I went Dancing With My Sister sounds great. Jason Harrod has a great voice well matched to this folk song and acoustic guitar.

One of my favorite parts of this type of compilation is hearing new bands. Hoping that I get to catch some of these folks swings through the great Pacific Northwest.

The album is available for preorder on Bandcamp: www.onjoyfulwings.bandcamp.com. The album comes out on March 29.

The Gregory Brothers – The Dress Looks Nice On You

Inlets – Borderline