recording harp for "Warmest Time"
Recording your own music is one thing – but what does it take to interpret a song you didn’t write? And if the person who wrote it is known around town as “Mr. Mayor”- would that make a difference?
I asked two of the key artists involved in recording Tom and Marilyn Weisner’s song “Christmas is the Warmest Time of the Year” for Made in Aurora Vol. 2: City of Lights to tell us about the process. Here’s what they had to say.
From arranger John Papadolias:
Benjie called me on a Thursday and asked me if I could arrange a Christmas song written by the Weisners. We were going for a jazz swing style arrangement that feels like it belongs in the ’40s or ’50s. I have always been drawn to the “big band with strings” sound. It is a perfect marriage of jazz and classical music. Sinatra did it.
Putting together and big band and orchestra takes time that we didn’t have, so I scaled down the parts: guitar and upright bass for the swing feel, and harp, violin and cello in four-part harmony for the classical feel. I still had the Sinatra thing in my head.
I remember playing at a party and Kevin Trudo sat in on that wonderful old standard “All of Me” by Simons & Marks. Kevin was the voice for this project. We tracked the rhythm parts on a Tuesday, upright bass the following Thursday and finished up with the strings and Kevin that Saturday morning. It was an easy process. I have family and friends to lean on. They made it happen.
from vocalist Kevin Trudo:
I’ve been singing standards (poorly) for as long as I can remember. I went to school for vocal performance at a college with a music program that was very much geared toward jazz. I grew up with songs my father and grandfather sang after dinner and Duke Ellington was one of my first loves. So I should be good at it.
But I’ve spent a lot of time singing dirty folk songs and hiding this part of me. I was pretty amazed to be asked to sing a “pretty” song. I’m surrounded by better singers and folks with the skill and reputation for singing soaring melodies and tin-pan-alley hooks. Me? I write songs. I’m not the go-to guy to sing a Christmas tune.
Nevertheless I was asked and was sent a fantastic demo of a fantastic tune that scared the crap outta me. First thing, Tom and Marilyn Weisner wrote it. Dude. That’s the Mayor and Aurora’s first lady. I’m over my head.
Then, John Papadolius arranged. I’ve been a fan of his for years and he’s a real jazz guy. I’m WAY over my head.
Finally, I got a demo with Vic Hawks on it. I’ve known Vic since grade school and he’s the real deal. That dude’s on Broadway.
I’m completely hosed.
But I got it, and I’m too proud to say no. So I loaded the tune into my phone and took it everywhere for 2 weeks. Yup. I’m hosed. I get in the box to sing it – and I was scared. You know what’s calming? When the writer and arranger show up for the session. No pressure. Another very comforting thing? Having spent 2 weeks hearing it wrong.
But, man. There’s nothing better than something scary after you’ve done it. Do it, y’all. Scare yourselves. It’s worth it. I did my best and I hope it makes you happy. Thanks for being a part of this – and happy holidays.