Live In Concert from NPR's All Songs Considered Folgen

For some diehard Kinks fans, the idea of mixing the band's classic songs with a full choir had little appeal. One of those fans, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, was dubious, before he heard the results on the latest CD from Kinks frontman Ray Davies, The Kinks Choral Collection. Boilen was part of a rapt audience at a Nov. 20 performance of the songs, recorded live in New York, by Ray Davies and the Dessoff Chamber Choir. Hear that show in its entirety here.

The adventurous ensemble has been widely praised for its risk-taking attitude. Gathered around Bob Boilen's desk, a stripped-down incarnation of the group plays music by Ravel, then unpacks several Egyptian instruments for an original composition.

We had an opportunity to bring Fanfarlo into the NPR Music offices during its trip from Baltimore to Philadelphia, so All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen asked the band's members in advance if they wouldn't mind dressing up their playlist with a holiday song.