“The Man With All The Toys” by Jim Fusco – FREE mp3 Download! – Day 8 of 14

By Jim Fusco:

Hello everyone!  We begin week number two of free Christmas songs with another favorite of mine: “The Man With All The Toys” by the Beach Boys.  It sounds like a simple song on the surface, but there are some cool changes that Brian Wilson created for the chords.  The vocals, especially the cool “low harmonies” on the bridges, are difficult and really cool.

I tried to stay as close as possible to the original with the instruments, too.  I used my Fender Stratocaster on the neck pickup, just like Carl and Al did on the original recording.  For the lead guitar part, I actually had to re-record it because I didn’t originally put the echo effect on it, like the original had.  I also ended up recording two bass lines with slightly different sounds.  If you listen on headphones, you can hear one in each ear.  I never knew that there were two bass lines recorded for this song, but that’s how they got that cool “oomph” to the recording.  As always, the more I find out about the Beach Boys, the more I love them!

I hope this track adds to your enjoyment of the holidays (paraphrased from Christmas Vacation) and that you’ve taken the time to download the other seven tracks so far.  Stay tuned, because tomorrow I bring you Day 9!

“Hey Santa” by Jim & Becky Fusco – FREE mp3 Download! – Day 6 of 14

By Jim Fusco:

Hello again and welcome to Day 6!  It’s duet time, as I finally got my wife Becky to sing a song with me.  Actually, she’s been bugging me to do “Hey Santa” for the Laptop Sessions for a while now.  I was ready to record a video for it last year, but then I got sick and I couldn’t hit the notes.  Even though Carnie Wilson makes her lower harmony sound so smooth and easy, let me tell you- it’s not so easy for a guy!  It think I gained an appreciation for how much range Carnie and Wendy Wilson have.  Of course, being the daughters of the great Brian Wilson gave them a pretty good start!

I remember not loving this song when I was little (and not making the Beach Boys connection), but then I grew to really like it over the years.  Now, it’s overplayed on the radio, but I don’t even mind because the ending features their uncle Carl Wilson’s vocals.  Always nice to give Carl a nod.

Becky and I had fun doing this tune, but it wasn’t without its difficulties.  I realized after recording all of the instruments that it was a lot faster than the original, plus I forgot about the key change after the solo!  So, that required some creative re-recording.

We hope you like our rendition!  Come back tomorrow as we round-out the first week of free Christmas songs here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Jim Fusco – FREE mp3 Download! – Day 5 of 14

By Jim Fusco:

Day 5 of 14 already!  Tonight, I bring you my version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, loosely based in the style of the Beach Boys.  Mine has a bit more of a rock’n’roll style to it, but maintains the vocal style and instrumentation of the Beach Boys’ version.  This song has the most intricate instrument arrangement with the strings.  It was tough to get this one right, but I think the addition of the 12-string electric really put it over the top!

I hope you enjoy tonight’s selection and will come back for Day 6 tomorrow!  And, as always, these songs are completely FREE to download!  Just click on the down arrow icon to get your copy.

“Don’t Need A Reindeer” by Jim Fusco – FREE mp3 Download! – Day 4 of 14

By Jim Fusco:

Hello, you night owls, and welcome to a very late Day 4 of Jim Fusco’s 14 Days of Rock’n’Roll Christmas!

Today, I bring you a great tune: “Don’t Need A Reindeer” by the Moody Blues.  They came out with this song in the early 2000’s and I truly believe it’s the best Christmas song in the past 40 years!  It’s got a great beat and such a catchy tune.  I can’t believe it doesn’t get more airtime.

So, I decided to make my own version.  It took a while to get the synth sounds right, but I think I got it pretty close.  The harmonies were easy, but the times to sing them (they come in and out) was the really tricky part.

If you haven’t heard “Don’t Need A Reindeer” yet, I think you’ll really like it.  And if you have heard it before, I hope my version lives up to the original!  Have a good one and see you very soon for Day 5!  Remember, all of these Christmas songs are FREE to download- just click the down arrow icon.