‘Christmas in the Berkshires’ CD has finally arrived. I am so thrilled to share this intimate cd with you. Along with Ben Kohn on Piano, Tony Lee Thomas on Vocals and Joe Meo playing Sax, I set out to create a CD that will be played during the holiday season. My hope was to include many heartfelt Christmas songs and some new versions of songs that I hope you’ll like. I began writing ‘Christmas Time’, my original on the CD, last December after the Christmas show. It is very dear to my heart and I hope you like it.
While recording, we went in search of Sleigh Bells in all of the antique stores in Pomfret, CT. We found a very old set of actual horse sleigh bells and asked to take them to record! The owner was happy to oblige and we were on our way, riding down a country road in August, shaking our bells and giggling! We went on to find out that the writer of Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson, is actually from Pomfret, CT. I didn’t have plans to record that song (my mistake), but decided to give it a try in the studio. So when you hear this cut, you’ll hear Tony and I giggling and trying to sing the lyrics at a very fast tempo while watching Ben play a very small accordion/toy piano from 1902. That was a terrific moment filled with Christmas Joy! So, I hope you enjoy my Christmas CD as much as I enjoyed recording it. Merry Christmas Everyone. My God bless you and your family with health, joy and laughter.
I look forward to 2012 for several reasons. I am going to married to a wonderful man in February. Then, I will embark upon a year of concentrated work with Verdi Music. I can not wait to return to writing at my piano each and every morning, while watching the snow fall. Updates will soon arrive as to where my tour will be taking me. Life is such a blessing, full of wonder and new horizons. Until next time, keep smiling and remember to never let a day go by without a song…mary