Vacation

The debut album "Vacation", by Slim and the Hips Vocals and acoustic guitar: Slim Nelson Featured guitarists: Jeff Buenz and Chris Cain Supporting electric guitars: Terry Nelson Acoustic and Roland guitars: David Rose Bass guitar: Mark Lopez, Jr. Drums and percussion: Butch Cousins Harmony vocals: Karl Budesa © Words and music by Slim Nelson Coproduced by David Rose and Terry Nelson Available for Download Now at CDBABY It's a treat to record with some of the most respected west coast musicians available today on this project -- the debut offering from Slim and the Hips. The featured soloists on this project -- Chris Cain and Jeff Buenz -- are two of the most remarkable guitarists on the scene today. I owe these two men -- my friends -- a great debt of gratitude for helping me with this project. They both continue to be among my favorite guitarists of all time. Watching them work is always thrill. His mastery of nearly all genres of music is why Jeff Buenz is clearly one of the busiest studio and performing guitarists around. He's enjoyed a rich and varied career performing with bands as varied as the Stanley Turrentine Quartet and the Doobie Brothers. Active on the Brazilian music scene, he continues to perform internationally with renowned artists such as Flora Pruim and Airto, Tania Maria, Toninho Horta, and Viva Brazil. I first saw Jeff perform as a 20-something "kid" in San Jose California's landmark jazz club, Manny's Seller. Jeff was swingin' with the old school cats, and more than holding his own. Even then, his provocative instrumental vocabulary was an intoxicating jolt to everyone within earshot. And he still does it today, with even bigger chops. And, damn it, he makes it look too easy. A freakishly great player, that Jeff. Our other featured soloist, Chris Cain, is an internationally recognized blues recording star with an enthusiastic following. He's played with legends like Albert King, B.B. King, Jimmy Witherspoon, Robben Ford, and is considered by many to be the most complete blues performer today. See him live, and you'll know what all the fuss is about. I first saw Chris perform at San Jose's legendary blues club, JJ's, when he was a 20-something blues phenom. Even then, Chris had the musical arsenal to move a crowd of burly blues lovers with a single finger. The nicest chap you'll ever meet, Cain's off the cuff Phil Silvers-like antics even seem to permeate his musical phrasing. His live shows are second to none. I can't possibly overstate the value of the rhythm ideas delivered on this project by our drummer and percussionist, Butch Cousins. Butch grew up in Washington State playing clubs with his brother, Richard, and a young blues enthusiast named Robert Cray. Butch has performed live and in recordings for decades, on everything from Texas swing, folk, Motown, funk, boogie, and modern jazz. It's always impressive to see and hear him work. I give special thanks to David Rose for his exceptionally strong musical ideas and collaborative skills. So much of this project is his! Enormous thanks for the groovy chops go to my lifelong musical partner -- and twin brother -- Terry Nelson. Brotherly thanks to Karl Budesa who continues to amaze with his always-ready vocal gifts and his intoxicating laughter. Karl is great in the studio, as he's a "one take" performer. And thanks to Mark Lopez, Jr., one very swingin' cat who plays way beyond his years. Finally, let's remember our piano man, Randy Mahrer, who now plays in the big band upstairs. This project was proposed several times over the years, but was never seriously acted upon until everything was right. The urge to share some really cool moments with my musical friends made this project impossible to avoid any longer. Thanks for listening. Slim Nelson of Slim and the Hips.