A couple years ago, Syracuse guitar god Mark Doyle produced a double disc for Skaneateles native songwriter Dr. Scott Allyn, called “Forgottensong.”
Doyle followed that up last year by performing and producing “Ho Ho Mary Jane,” a cute-as-hell Christmas tune written by Allyn and featuring brassy instrumental lines by Liverpool-bred trombonist Melissa Gardiner.
Allyn’s lyrics are kind of catchy:
Lit up like a Christmas tree
Feeling cheesy
But you can’t get rid of me
Quite so easy
I’m diggin’ my nativity
Joining the festivity
Lose the negativity
Tonight.
Gardiner found herself duly impressed by Doyle’s studio prowess.
“I remember this was a very professional session,” she said. “Mark Doyle did a great job putting all the parts together and producing this. He had it all charted out and ready to go. It was awesome working with him.”
Her overdubbed trombone parts blend bassline blowing and a pleasing mid-tune horn solo. The video shows Melissa recording her part, while a yule log burns brightly in the film’s fireplace. You can enjoy “Ho Ho Mary Jane” on YouTube.
BTW, Melissa Gardiner’s favorite holiday tune is Mel Tormé’s timeless “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).”
Last word
“How many observe Christ’s birthday. How few, His precepts.”
–Benjamin Franklin.
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