Laptop – Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis

Laptop, the father-son combo of Jesse and Charlie Hartman, present an intriguing version of Tom Waits’ classic, approaching it with both affection and a very modern attitude. Jesse Hartman comments on the song’s lasting impact: “This was the first song that showed me how to combine grief with laughter in the same line. It basically shaped me. Whether I knew it or not, this song became the blueprint for Laptop. This song was recorded in Valencia in 2023 and engineered by Iñaki Ariste Aznar. Mike Desmerais (Brian Eno, The Winkies) plays drums, while Hartman plays bass. Odetta Hartman provides backup vocals, Camellia Hartman plays violin, Ben Jones plays keyboards, and Billy Aukstik plays trumpet. The cover begins with sing-along female vocals that grab the listener in, until the main theme develops and pushes the song into a dark, jazz-influenced atmosphere. Modern production gives the tune a wide, immersive impact, allowing the trumpets to bring out the song’s natural sorrow while also providing level of emotion. The drumming feels contemporary, enveloped in soft reverb that gives it a somewhat dreamy air, while the vocals have an uplifting, “spontaneous” touch thanks to sophisticated studio effects. Light electronic elements are integrated into the mix, slowly carrying the song into a futuristic, easy-listening world that revitalizes the original while preserving its sensitive inner core.