"A near perfect example of how jazz and soul can be combined as pop." J. D. Considine (Rolling Stone)

11 MP3 Songs in this album (39:16) !
Related styles: POP: Pop, JAZZ: Contemporary Jazz

People who are interested in Dean Martin Sting Nat King Cole should consider this download.


Details:
Christmas Eve, the new Slim Man Christmas CD

Four stories...

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was always the Big Party Night for my family. Weâd cook, and drink, and sing, and...around midnight weâd open gifts. The parties were legendary. Which made Christmas Day a little subdued around the Slim Shack...

Antonia...
I was listening to some Christmas songs back in March, 2008, trying to figure out which ones to do, when I came upon a compilation that included one of my own earlier Christmas songs. I started listening to the whole CD while I was cooking, and...this voice came over the speakers, and I was floored.

I looked at the CD cover. It was Antonia Bennett. I had no idea who she was. When I looked her up on the Internet, I found out that she was Tony Bennettâs daughter. Her voice sounded like Billie Holiday meets Rickie Lee Jones. What I really wanted was for Antonia to do a duet with me on âBaby, Itâs Cold Outsideâ.

I emailed Antonia and didnât hear back until August. She told me sheâd be in Manhattan the following week, so I booked a studio where Ella Fitzgerald recorded. It was on 57th Street, right across from Carnegie Hall. The first time I met Antonia was at that studio.

But, I wanted to do âBaby, Itâs Cold Outsideâ a little differently. I wanted her to sing the part usually sung by the man--in her girly voice--and I wanted to sing the part usually sung by the woman--in my manly voice, of course. Antonia did an incredible job. She can really sing.

Antoine...
I did most of the âChristmas Eveâ recording in June, in Madrid, at guitarist Marc Antoineâs house. He has this incredible studio, and it was one of the best times Iâve ever had recording. It was a little strange--100 degrees outside, and we were inside recording âBaby, Itâs Cold Outsideâ...

Thatâs right. Antoine and Antonia on the same song! Marcâs guitar playing was so inspired, not only on that song, but on Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Oh Christmas Tree...

It was a great time to be in Madrid. The Spanish soccer team won the EURO Cup. Nadal beat Federer in an incredible tennis match for the champoinship at Wimbledon. A Spanish cyclist won the Tour de France. And the Police did a show downtown for 80,000 people.

The Gift (A Soldierâs Christmas)
This past summer, in the middle of recording the Christmas Eve CD, I did a little tour of California. After a show in San Diego, a lovely young lady came up to me and told me that her Slim Man CDs had helped her get through her tours of Iraq.

Turns out, sheâs a Colonel in the Marine Corps, and I must admit, I was really flattered.

And then I started thinking...What would it be like to be involved with someone who was away at war for Christmas? She inspired me to write this song. Dedicated to her, and to all who serve our country. Have a safe and Happy Holiday! And thatâs an order!


Tags: pop