A Little Christmas Music

I've been working on some Christmas songs for a while now. It's been hard to make interesting arrangements of songs that can be sung and played. Here are a couple I just recorded, with my teacher, Jennifer Clevinger's help producing them. Here they are. Hope you enjoy it, and would love your thoughts.

This version of the traditional Christmas song, "Silent Night", is based on a version by Dr. John in his album "Dr. John plays Mac Rebennack" (FYI: Mac Rebennack is Dr. John's real name). It's a tough piece to play and sing, just because there's so much going on, and it's so syncopated.

The other song I recorded is a version of "The Christmas Song," by Mel Torme, but based on the changes in the Nat King Cole version. I sang it in the same key (D-flat) Cole did, which was tough, because it's a hard key to play on the piano. But it's a cool key to sing in: just a tiny bit "sharp" sounding than C.

I realize I still have a long way to go, but it's nice to know one's making progess. :)

UPDATE: Several people tell me the links above didn't work, so I've updated them to use a different service (damn Yahoo! Briefcase). If you can't see the file (and want to :), just email me, and I'll send them to you.

Merry Christmas!
Swami