October 2025: Latest Video, Extra Organic Software, The Last Sunset

Howdy Music Lovers - Autumn of '25 is here and what a weird time to be alive! Should you need a brief diversion from the insanity, here are some offerings you might enjoy....   Live Video From The Project Studio: Sneak Attack We first recorded Sneak Attack about twenty years ago and it appeared  on our Topsy Turvy album back in 2007. Here's a live version recorded in our project studio this September. Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/lRdCMdnzsFY   Extra Organic Software This fourth and final volume in the Organic Software series consists of the tunes that we'd recorded in the late 80's but weren't part of Penny's three Organic Software albums released back then.  They've all been remastered, made into and album, and are now on our website for listening or downloading. (They'll also be on the streaming services soon.) We cheated a bit on this one and included four tunes from the early 1990's, three of which were recorded live at Tamarron Resort in Durango, Colorado. These are some really terrific songs performed beautifully by the author. There's comedy, tragedy, love, anger, and sex — what's not to like?  Listen and/or download here:  https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/organic-software/   Live at Tamarron Resort, 1990 The Last Sunset (Dan Del Santo Documentary) We've mentioned in previous newsletters that there was a Dan Del Santo documentary in the works and it's out now and free to watch on YouTube. For those of you (most, I'm sure) who've never heard of Dan, he was  a man of unique musical talent who arrived in Austin, Texas around the same time we did in the mid 70's. He had an unmistakable voice and unique character to go with it. His music spanned multiple genres (bluegrass, country, jazz, cajun, African, Latin, etc...) and he always worked with killer musicians. He also held down a popular World Beat music radio show in Austin for a number of years.   Dan introduced himself to us at our band's weekly gig at Austin's Split Rail shortly after he moved to town and we were friends until we left town for the east coast at the tail end of '78.  In that period Dan's band was playing his country/jazz tunes. Our friendship resumed when we moved back to Texas in the 80's and found Dan was now playing World Beat music with a terrific large band. It was during this period that we were establishing our Marble Falls project studio and Dan started recording at our place with Slim co-producing. All in all, Dan recorded four albums and a single at our place before we moved again, this time back to California.   These were mostly positive experiences for us, but it turns out there was a much darker story to tell. Not long after we left town, a drug bust had Dan fleeing to Mexico and leaving behind his family in the process.  And that's just part of the story. "The Last Sunset" doesn't sugar coat any of it or try to substantiate Dan's behavior.  Interviewed in the film are Dan's long time best friend, members of his family, various band members, and us.  It's a hell of a story and a must-see for anyone who remembers Dan and his music. Big thanks to Val from Utopia Unearthed for doing the hard work of putting this together. Here it is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHWZSp9spDY Utopia Unearthed, in addition to releasing the documentary, has re-released almost the entire catalog of his music, including a bunch of stuff never before released. Just search for Dan Del Santo on any of the streaming services to have a listen.   Finally, our usual reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". Love & Peace, Slim & Penny

 

Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna Newsletter July 2025: Latest Releases — What's New Is Old Again An Occasional Publication Howdy Folks - Hope y'all are enjoying summertime and avoiding the floods, fires, and extreme heat. Here along the Monterey Bay coast, we've been super lucky so far this year with mild temps and no smoke (yet).  Since our last installment, we've released a couple of new tunes — one never before released song that is old but newly relevant and one new one telling an old story of teenage infatuation.   There's A Girl This tune was written last year and recorded this past June. In it, the year is 1973 and our teenage protagonist has fallen head over heels for the girl of his dreams who just happens to be half again his age and currently going out with their mutual friend. A true story. The video version is complete with lyrics and photos from The Oso Family archive taken at a few different Northern California locations.  The downloadable audio, links to it on the streaming services, and the YouTube video can all be found here: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/theres-a-girl/   He's A Jerk While recently reviewing some old live recordings we did at a Durango, Colorado resort in 1990, it dawned on us that it was time to revive this particular recording. This song of Penny's has never been released before in any form, so consider this to be a belated premiere. And since it seems rather relevant at this moment, we threw together a video to go with it. So, time to do some venting — just think of the most revolting shithead in your life and then sing along!  Downloadable audio and the YouTube video can be found here: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/hes-a-jerk/ Finally, a reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". Love & Peace, Slim & Penny Online version of this newsletter is here: https://slimandpenny.blogspot.com/ Subscribe/unsubscribe info is here: https://slimandpenny.com/web/connect/

 

Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna Newsletter May 2025: "Love's In Need" video, Organic Software Vol. 1 An Occasional Publication Hello friends, near and far - Spring is here and we hope you're all doing well (or at least coping somewhat comfortably). Since our last newsletter back in December, we've re-released Penny's 1985 pop album "Organic Software Vol.1 and filmed a brand new rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Love's In Need Of Love Today" in our project studio.    Love's In Need Of Love Today

Stevie Wonder opened his 1976 masterpiece "Songs In The Key Of Life" with this plea to humanity and of course it's still relevant as ever. We released a studio version of it on our 2007 album "Topsy Turvy" and just filmed a new live version in our project studio. In addition to the live elements, guitar looping and programmed percussion are in use.  You can watch it on YouTube here:  https://youtu.be/Ihd1DPKCPsQ Organic Software Vol. 1 This Penny Hanna album from 1985 is pure pop music fun. We remastered and rereleased it to the streaming services a short while back. Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/organic-software-vol-1/1805649584 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1PrfkJWS8dHS71LRwzEgxp Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F33XYTHW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nNaiFBh9kqBvlMzqdNpYqIwcSS8rY8mBA and many others...   Or listen and/or download and explore the liner notes and lyrics at our website (see the link below). Note that Volumes 2 and 3 are there was well, having been rereleased earlier: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/organic-software/https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/organic-software/web/articles/ We have one more volume in the works from that era containing a bunch of terrific individual tunes not included elsewhere, no release date for that one yet... Finally, a reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". Love & Peace, Slim & Penny

December 2024: "Riff & Repeat", "All of Me", and more....

 

Hello friends, near and far - Happy Holidays! A lot has happened in the world since our last newsletter and it looks like we're in for a hell of a ride over the next few years. But music is the only thing we know how to do well, so we'll just keep on with that, expressing ourselves as best we can through that medium.

New Single

We welcome the upcoming new year with a groovin' instrumental called "Riff & Repeat". Chromatic harmonica sets the stage playing an Adderley-esque riff, with alto sax joining in on the repeat.  Penny's on bass guitar and alto sax in addition to supplying the double bass solo while Slim's doing his usual thing with harmonica, guitar, pedal steel, keys, and drum programming. Listen or download on our website, or on any of the streaming services: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/riff-and-repeat/

"All Of Me"

In October we published another "live in the studio with looping and programmed drums"  video, this time it's that old standard "All Of Me" done instrumentally. Here it is on Youtube: https://youtu.be/6g3Bx7WrOTw

Harmonica Instrumental Playlists

Also, for harmonica enthusiasts, we've put together a playlist of 13 harmonica instrumentals we've recorded over the years. This link will take you to our page where you can listen. It also has links to the playlist on  YouTube and Spotify: https://slimandpenny.com/articles/harmonica-instrumentals

Home Grown CD

After releasing our latest album "Home Grown" online in July, we went ahead and ordered a short run of CDs for those who still spin those kind of discs. If you'd like one, please don't hesitate to reply to this email to get your copy. Of course you can still listen to it here or at any of the streaming services: https://slimandpenny.com/home-grown/

"The Ballad of Slim O. & Penny Bill"

Back in September, Utopia Unearthed Records released a remastered version of our 1980 Deuce LP to the streaming services. Extensive liner notes, photos from the recording session, lyrics, and links to listen to it are all here: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/deuce-lp/

"The Last Sunset"

For those interested in the upcoming Dan Del Santo documentary "The Last Sunset", Utopia Unearthed Records are planning for a September 2025 release. Here's their teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5yw8uQmruU Also, they've now released nine of his albums to the streaming services, including several that haven't previously seen the light of day in any format (including "Los Blues Demon" -- recorded in Mexico, 19 tunes featuring only Dan and his guitars. Just search for Dan Del Santo on any of the streaming services. If you'd like to help move the documentary forward, the Utopia Unearthed's Gofundme page is here: https://gofundme.com/f/the-last-sunset-a-dan-del-santo-documentar

Finally, a reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". Until next time, do have a wonderful holiday and the best possible new year! Slim & Penny

July 2024 - New Album, New Video, and more...

 

Hi Folks - As we write this, a fossil fuel-driven summer has arrived along with one of the most consequential political moments in US (and world) history. But along with all the stupidity, and along with all the resulting pain and suffering, there also remains lots of love and beauty in this world and music is there to reflect and react to all of it -- the good along with the bad. And with that in mind, our new album "Home Grown" is now ready for harvesting. New Album: Home Grown

"Home Grown" is the 4th album we've released so far this century (and for us that's moving fast!). These 10 original tunes were recorded in our project studio from 2020 to 2024. They've previously appeared as singles on our website but have now been re-mixed, re-mastered and (in some cases) re-recorded allowing them to be their best possible selves. The repertoire touches on Swing, Pop, Brazilian, Classic Country and Jazz grooves while lyrical themes include Life's Third Act, Climate Change, Politics, Religion, and (of course) True Love. It's on all the major streaming services but can also be streamed from our website, where you can also see or download the liner notes with lyrics. You can also download the entire album for import into your music library if you choose. And there's no charge for any of this. We're very proud of this release and hope you get some joy from listening to it! Check it out here: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/home-grown/ or on any of the streaming platforms (partial list): Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/home-grown/1755235344 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1F252qHLNWWxXoJSN9Tra5 Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0D8M4FHQL?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_y7pN2bGGPbHMONhtPyWn0B02o YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lkmJxpQPJJ1hosVU63yc2euXIwDR0ygx4&si=te_c_eM8OQumTgHu "The Weight" Since our last newsletter, we've posted another "Live From The Project Studio" video, in this one we tackle Robbie Robertson's "The Weight" as a harmonica instrumental with live looping and pre-programmed drums. I fell in love with The Band as soon as their "Music From Big Pink" album hit the stores back in 1968  -- went to see them live several times back then and their music has stuck with me through the years. This particular tune has been covered by many, so there are some great versions out there. My favorite (of those I've heard) is still the version from The Band's "Last Waltz" album, performed with The Staples Singers (If Mavis Staples' vocal on that cut doesn't send chills down your spine, you may not be human :-)). So, this ain't that, just our humble take on it.  - Slim You can watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WT_pHy-1lTY?si=s4K2lJEqo6YtEDsk Blast From The Past In our last newsletter we mentioned that Nashville based Utopia Unearthed Records are (in addition to re-releasing his catalog of music) working on a documentary covering Dan Del Santo's life in music and its tragic ending. They've been interviewing family, friends, and band members and have been traveling to Poughkeepsie, Austin, and Oaxaca in order to do so. They even showed up here in Santa Cruz to film a segment with us covering our long friendship with Dan and the countless hours we spent recording him and his band in our Marble Falls, TX project studio during the 1980's. These guys are relatively young and have an obvious passion for Dan's music. When they started to dig into Dan's history, they sensed a story that had to be told and have been laser-focused on putting it all together. But, as you might suspect, they're operating on a shoe-string budget and could use some financial help. For those of you who rememberDan and would like to help this project see the light of day, please check out their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-last-sunset-a-dan-del-santo-documentary Finally, a reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". That's all for now... Slim & Penny

April 2023 - New Music & A Blast From The Past

 

Hi Folks - Spring is here, the solar eclipse is imminent, and we hope y'all are finding good ways to enjoy life and spread love in spite of all the anger and hurt in the world. New Music Since our December newsletter, we've released a couple of new singles on our website (listen or download at no charge). Waiting For Sleep To Come is a lullaby (of sorts), written and sung by Slim: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/waiting-for-sleep/ Penny sings and the band swings as we navigate and celebrate life's third act with Before My Light Goes Out, another tune written by Slim: https://slimandpenny.com/web/articles/BeforeMyLight/

Blast From The Past For those of you (lookin' at you, Austin folks) who remember Dan Del Santo and his music, there's a cool project underway by Utopia Unearthed Records(https://www.utopiaunearthed.com/) to re-release Dan's catalog (with full support of Dan's family) and they're also working on a documentary about Dan covering his life in music and its tragic end. We worked closely with Dan on several of the albums which are being newly released to the major streaming services and on vinyl. So far, Utopia Unearthed has released Life In The Big City, World Beat, and just this week My Own Country: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kKGnP9CzBHNrwrNtXsAtdSE6nLrxA5-Cg This is one of the albums we did with Dan in our Marble Falls TX project studio in 1988. It was Dan's momentary return to the country and swing genres after having recorded several albums of world music with his band The Professors of Pleasure. We both play on this one along with some major Austin talent (some of whom are on this mailing list). See the credits in the below picture from the original 1988 release. Dan's other upcoming releases recorded in our studio include the albums Make It Right, Strength To Strength, and the 45 rpm single Merci Baby, Merci &So, You Know, So Say. Look for these to appear online in the coming months. Note that the Off Your Nyash album has been on the streaming services for quite a while and isn't planned to be re-released by Utopia Unearthed. Finally, a reminder that all our published music, bios, and video links can be found on our website: https://SlimAndPenny.com And our completed albums can be streamed from any of the major streaming services -- just search for "Slide Man Slim & Penny Hanna". That's all for now... Slim & Penny