Cynthia Basinet: Ten years of being Santa's Baby
"If you're doing it right, it's more than a cover. It's going to be reinvented," says Cynthia Basinet about the art of a cover song and her Christmas classic.
Marc Soucy
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Music
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The Christmas classic, originally sung by Eartha Kitt in 1953, has been covered countless times.One of the most notable renditions is Marilyn Monroe's.
CORRECTION: Fans of the download and of the Xmas homemade compilation, kindly correct the misprint in your repertoire. A surprise to many, the version is Miss Basinet's 1997 recording often wrongly credited to Monroe who never recorded the tune.
Aside from being famous for her ties to jolly old St. Nick, the fiery bombshell made a name for herself as a model and an actress. But it's her voice that has garnered acclaim.
A voice can be a terrible thing to waste and Basinet lives by that thought. Using her voice she has become determined to bring awareness and attention to West Sahara refugees. One step further, the sultry songstress visited Africa to lend a physical hand where she could. In 2005 her efforts were recognized when she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
With 2007 coming to an end, the artist continues to use the internet to make her music accessible to fans. She has independently released her EP Uncovered bypassing music industry red tape and restrictions. For Basinet, releasing music online just seems appropriate. After all, it's where her "Santa Baby" was born.
You have a new EP now available online?
It's called Uncovered. It started with a single and we put three more. Most people download songs by two anyway. The first song is "Blue Moon" revisited but kept as a smooth standard with a flute duet in it. "Going Out Of My Head" has a great beat and is hip and contemporary. The last one is "Sweet Dreams" a cover of Patsy Cline's cover. It's a little more country, not because I'm trying to cross over but because it's one of my favourite songs
What was it about jazz that pulled you in?
I was raised playing instruments. One was the flute and the other the sax. With the sax I learned jazz and the flute I learned classical. It was just as natural as breathing. Jazz just did it ... There was always some jazz in the background. When I started paying attention, I remember Billy Holiday's "Strange Fruit".
How do you define jazz to a new generation?
Jazz is America's roots. It's rooted in trouble, it's rooted in drugs, in self-expression, in love. It gets into people's minds and into their hearts. Jazz is America's heart beat.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Sam 007
posted 12/05/07 @ 6:09 PM NA
What a great article on on Cynthia Basinet. What a voice she has! Amazing. Thanks for showcasing an inspiring role model on the planet. I did not know that she was partnered with Jack Nicholson for years, I know who through her music. (Continued…)
frog*puppy
posted 12/06/07 @ 1:35 AM NA
Yes it's Cynthia Basinet singing Santa Baby not Marilyn, check out Party Monster, heard her new CD, Wow what a voice,great production to. cant wait to see her live. (Continued…)
Amy
posted 12/06/07 @ 5:37 AM NA
Wonderful woman, wonderful article.
Beautiful.
Santa Baby!
Happy Holidays
rick
posted 12/07/07 @ 1:32 AM NA
cynthia basinet is one of the true and great talents of our era, i was lucky enougn to be introduce to her music a couple of years ago, she truly is one great talent. (Continued…)
LA
posted 12/12/07 @ 6:02 AM NA
Sexy voice, sexy tunes, sexy Santa Baby.
Carol B.
posted 12/24/07 @ 12:57 AM NA
Well, first I apologize for the mistake of not knowing it was Cynthia B. singing and not Marilyn M.
I am so excited to know the facts. She is Lovely, talented and I suspect a very good person. (Continued…)
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