Christmas Without You (writing challenge) NEW MIX

This is a song that Pat Bishop sent to me, I think last year, and we never worked on it. In discussing wanting to write, she sent this back this year and we actually worked on it.  It's a personal account from her life experience. 
 
We actually worked on 2 songs at the same time, both in regards to this challenge to write on a topic and within a time window. The second one will be posted a bit later as I am still working on some aspects of that song.
 
So.... here's the first song:  Christmas Without You   http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12572170
 
Hope you enjoy this kick off to the Christmas season.
 
Here's the new mix based on comments:  https://app.box.com/s/7qbvmxgrq82yxs8ld853

I agree with Waltenstein Studios,but I'd substitute the word cup of hot choc,with a whisky :) Nice track !! Thks for sharing

Very Nice!
Just really pleasant to listen to.
I think Walt really sums it up perfectly.  

Walt: Pat wrote most of the words. She sent it to me, I put the music to it and suggest lyric changes.... it bounced back and forth a few times and we finally arrived at the version you hear.
 
Kev, Mark, Metal & John....  I'm glad you guys liked it.
 
Thanks for listening.

Ralph:  Thanks... I'm glad you like it. I am playing the mandolin, the acoustic guitars and singing.....everything else is sampled instruments.

bapu
mando and fiddle are fighting each other in the intro.
 
Other than that, sounds good Herb.

 
You mean steel and mando?   I think I may go back and pull the mando down a bit..... on the intro..... some others who have heard this said something similar about the mando parts

Beautiful playing and lyrics. Love the lead vocal and melody. Really nice mix.

Haven't heard all the other songs in the challenge, music for me is never a contest but more an expression of feelings and the spirit.
 
Although I must say you have my vote, this sounds GREAT!! Thanks for sharing, very cool song.
 
Bobby
 

I don't celebrate the Saturnalia...but nice track!

Nice balanced mix Herb.  I like the Country/ Christmas feel to this song.

Did she get in on any of this wintery weather down here in TX? It's been in the mid to low 30's with rain, sleet and snow for the last several days.

When I closed my eyes, I thought I was listening to Neil Young with the way you handled the vocals.  It is smooth and polished and ready for mass distribution (maybe Santa can help).  Very well done, Herb!

Lynn: Thank you for the kind words. I sent this to Nashville songwriter's association for review and comments. The song was given a thumbs up and placed on the "Ones to watch" list .... no comments about needing to fix anything in the song which is a good sign and generally not the case for most stuff I send them. "Santa" shops for Christmas songs in June and July.... and most big artists either write their own tunes (more money in their pockets that way) or they do the old standards ( don't have to play royalties or license fees) so it's extremely difficult to get new and original Christmas tunes published. I know a publisher who handles nothing but Christmas music so he'll be getting a package in the next few weeks. You never know..... BTW, he passed on The Best Christmas.... which I thought absolutely rocked and also got a thumbs up from NSAI.
 
 
3Dmus:  Thank you for the comments

I really liked the lyrics for this. But, that's why I like County, because they tell a story.
I gotta save up and get myself some BIAB, love those fiddle and steel sounds.
Good job!.

Very nice job on this! Everything sounds right where it should be. Nice vocals too!