Slaid Cleaves' Holiday Sampler

This EP allows him to show off his sense of humor with a song like Monster in Law, his Springsteen-like tribute (think Pink Cadillac) to a creepy mother-in-law. Cleaves is quick to point out in his liner notes that the subject of the song bears little resemblance to his own mother-in-law. Monster in Law is an older song that, although a favorite of fans, has not been recorded before.

November Skies was written by Mark Farrington, Cleaves' Maine friend and singer-songwriter for his band Cattle Call. A touching song about the changing of the seasons and the growing up of a young man, November Skies ranks as one of the best songs I've heard this year.

One Good Year is a reworking of his #1 Americana hit from his 2000 album "Broke Down." The song takes on a bit more celebratory tone with the inclusion of Oliver Steck's wonderful trumpet.
You Don't Have to Tell Me is a lovely Valentine's Day love song that is affecting, without being sappy. Accompanied by only an acoustic guitar and a lap steel guitar, it is delicately instrumented, supporting Cleaves' yearning vocals.