Hello Big Man

Carly,
I love your song "Hello Big Man" and recently managed to acquire a copy of that album. My own parents still celebrate annually the day they first met in 1948 so it means a lot. I just wondered, as an English fan of some 30 years, if there were any interesting stories you could share with us, about the writing of "Hello Big Man". By the way, the sax solo is out of this world!
With love and all good wishes. Karen Keenan - Huddersfield,UK

Thanks for the "Hello Big Man" nod. It is a true story of how my parents met. He was the handsome president of the company and she, the switchboard operator at the end of the long hall. He took a walk down the long hall and said after noticing how pretty she was, "hello little woman" and of course, the sharp answer-er that she was, said: "hello big man!" and indeed, that was how the wooing and the winning began.

She then proceded to make him jealous by going out with the head of Ringling's Barnum and Baily Circus and then he, my father, got serious and proposed. Oh, it's so often the case, if you want to lure a man, make him savour the competition and fight for you. I don't love it, but I do see that it's true. Love Carly - 11/12/02

Billy Preston

Dearest Carly:
The new Christmas CD is a real treasure...reminiscent of a 50's holiday jazz LP. How did the one, the only, the incredible Billy Preston come into the project? He adds an indelible mark to 'Twelve Gates To The City'. His presence seemed to bring out your most funky diva side. Congrats on another remarkable achievement! Dale Young - Munster, IN

Billy floated in on angel wings. He brought out the fear of God in me. Also the love of God and he made me star struck as well. He's that kind of star. Love Carly - 11/9/02

Willie Nelson on Pretty Paper

Dear Carly,
Thanks so much for your music and expression of matters of the heart that even on a good day, I could not put into words. Your music is pure therapy at times and maybe the AMA (where the M stands for Medical) should supply you with an honorary license someday!

To get to my question...How did your duet with Willie Nelson come about on your new Christmas CD? I love this version of Pretty Paper. Love the way your voice blends around his. All the best! Edyie Lester - Old Bridge, NJ

Don Was brought Willie in. I could not have done it on my own. Don could have brought in Kruschev. Don is amazing and with the seductive voice that he has, he could talk ugly off an ape.

So Mr. Nelson arrived with his entourage including Amy Irving, Amy Irving's beautiful friend, a harmonica player who plays with Willie (brilliant guy) and several other relatives of the cast of characters already mentioned.

He gave me seventeen minutes. I missed most of the cues and came in late and tried to correct them, but you can hear my corrections if you listen carefully. They couldn't be erased totally because you could hear my awful first attempts in Willie's microphone. Not to mention Jim Keltner's mike. I"m proud to be associated with him. He's awesome, obviously. Love Carly - 11/7/02

Working with Jimmy Webb

Hi Carly,

Last night I had the occasion to see Jimmy Webb in concert in Charleston, WV. I must say it was an awe inspiring performance. In just a few songs I became a Jimmy Webb fanatic. Do you have any memories of working with him that you'd like to share?

I could hear you singing many of his songs...All I Know and Moon Is a Harsh Mistress...to name two. Have you ever considered working with him again? Phillip Donnelly - Morgantown, WV

He is the most talented singer/musician/producer/arranger I have ever had the good fortune to work with. I would love to work with him again.

I wanted to make my Christmas album with him, but the fleet of attendees to my career at that juncture in time, felt that I couldn't bring it in for budget with Jimmy (especially as I was going to have to pay everything out of my own pocket). Mind you. I thought I was saving so much money working with Don Was, engineering it himself out of our hotel room in L.A. and of course it was a disaster because I went way over budget (the one I was to be reimbursed).

Nonetheless, I love Don and I think the album came out swell. It's just that I would love to have worked with Jimmy Webb. What a class act and an angel and the smartest, hippest person in the world. Yes, you could say I was in love. Carly - 11/2/02