''Watching the Snow'' is a jazz album by American singer Michael Franks. It was released in Japan by Columbia Records in 2003, in the U.S. by Sleepy Gypsy in 2004, and again in the U.S. by Koch Records. ''Watching the Snow'' was Michael Franks' first Christmas album. Rather than covering other holiday music standards, Franks wrote all the songs. According to the liner notes, sales from the album were donated to Hearts United for Animals.

Track listing

Reception

Writing for AllMusic, Christopher Monger described the album as "comfort food with all the trimmings" and that each track was "lovingly crafted, astronomically inoffensive, and wine-drunk silly and sincere." Comparing the album to the holiday themed releases of Franks' peers, he concluded it was a "testimony to Franks' laid-back demeanor and subtle humor that an entire record of original holiday songs can complement a snowy December day rather than accentuate its forced seasonal cheer."

Personnel

* Michael Franks – vocals *

Veronica Nunn Veronica Elaine Nunn (born October 7, 1957) is an American jazz singer who has been the featured vocalist with Michael Franks since 1992. In the late 1970s she moved to New York City to pursue a degree in theology at Lehmans College in the Bron ...

– vocals, background vocals *

Alex Sipiagin Alex Sipiagin (born June 11, 1967) is a Russian jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. Biography Sipiagin was born on June 11, 1967. He moved from Russia to the U.S. in 1990. His first major job in the U.S. was with the Gil Evans Band. He has pl ...

– trumpet, flugelhorn *

John Clark John Clark may refer to: Entertainment *John Clark or Signor Brocolini (1841–1906), Irish-born American operatic singer and actor * John Clark (actor) (born 1932), English actor and theatre director *John Clark (American actor) (1933–2011), ...

– French horn * Chris Hunter – saxophone, flute *

Charles Blenzig Charles Blenzig (born August 12, 1958) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator. In the mid 1980s Blenzig joined the Gil Evans Monday Night Orchestra that performed weekly at Sweet basil Jazz Club. Blenzig has perf ...

– keyboards, percussion *

Jay Azzolina Jay Azzolina (born December 23, 1952) is a jazz-fusion guitarist known for his work with the Grammy-winning group Spyro Gyra. He has also performed and recorded with Carly Simon, Donna Summer, The Manhattan Transfer, Herbie Mann, Rickie Lee Jones, ...

– guitar * Romero Lubambo – guitar * Jay Anderson – double bass * Billy Kilson – drums

References

Bibliography

* {{Authority control Michael Franks (musician) albums 2003 albums Columbia Records albums Rhino Entertainment albums 2003 Christmas albums Christmas albums by American artists Jazz Christmas albums E1 Music albums