Tag Archives: music

What? Oh, Hi!

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Hello, hello… is there anybody out there… just nod if you can hear me…

The summer of Amber has been going strong with gigs, a crazy social calendar, unprecedented creativity and, of course, the eternal presence of a heavy work load.  In other words – life is good – I have music, purpose, means, friends and family.

And yet, I’m eating poorly, skipping the gym and not getting enough sleep… why do I do this? I’ve yet to master the art of the delicate balance.  Although maybe this IS the delicate balance – success in one area is to fail in another.

Anyway, I’ve been way out of the loop and have been getting my news from the brief Facebook status updates.  It’s a really great strategy if you’re busy.  From what I can gather – Mitt said something stupid and some Olympians landed on Mars where they saw a drunken naked Randy Travis eating gay chicken sandwiches.  Got it – same ol, same ol.

Well, I’ve been busily writing songs and now have 7 towards me goal of 10!  Woohoo!  And so far, they don’t appear to be terrible, so I’m pleased!  I’ve recorded one already and I couldn’t be thrillder (it should be word) at what Ducky and Brian have done with it.  I asked for genius and muscle to offset my girly singing and they gave it to me.

As I write though I’ve noticed a theme – almost all the songs seem to be about giving in to one’s darker nature.  Clearly, this album is an ode to my daily donut habit.  Oh the shame, oh the glory.

Brian at the controls while Ducky’s upstairs nailing the drum track.

Ducky’s dog, Ronson, serving as our luscious muse for the day… who’s a pretty girl – you are! Oh yes you are!!

Writing

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Over the last year I’ve fallen in love with music again.  I hadn’t realized that I had gone years without paying attention to it.  And now it’s back in my life and I never want to let it go.

I was in the studio a couple of weeks ago – put down some harmonies on someone’s record.  I had forgotten how much I love being in a studio, making my contribution to the creative process and then hearing the finished product of magicians and genius’.  I’m ever amazed at what songwriters, singers, musicians, engineers and producers can create and how they move a soul.

I did a CD in 2001 and while I’m not ashamed of it by any means, it was my first effort in a clearly defined genre.  I listen to it now and I’m charmed by it’s simplicity, but I know I can do better – creatively and vocally.  I now know the rules I can break – and that’s absolutely essential to the creative process.  So with much encouragement by people I respect and who are not related to me ;-) , I’m inspired to take the lead on a new CD.

I haven’t written a complete song in over 10 years and today I finished my first song for my next CD – all the lyrics and the chord structure. I’m absolutely thrilled!

Do I rest?  NO!  I’m off to start the next one… but I leave you with a song by Neko Case who inspires me to accept my nature and own the life I have – for in the end I am the only one to answer for it and it should at least be true.

I can say that I’ve lived here in honor and danger
But I’m just an animal and cannot explain a life
Down this chain of days I wished to stay among my people
Relation now means nothing, having chosen so defined
And if death should smell my breathing
As it pass beneath my window
Let it lead me trembling, trembling
I own every bell that tolls me

Day Three – 31 Days of Honesty

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Day 03 — My favorite song from the year I was born…

There are a couple of songs from 1968 that I listen to regularly – like at least once a week and so it’s hard for me to choose…  

The most obvious choice is Hey Jude… I love the Beatles and it’s a great song – Paul’s voice is beautiful, it’s fun to sing and there are always things to discover in every listening.  As I type I realize this is a no-brainer.  And no-brainers are my specialty!

But I really wanna give a shout out to Burt Bacharach’s/Hal David’s This Guy’s In Love With You – sung by Herb Alpert.  As much as I love Hey Jude, over saturation has reduced it’s effect on me.  But this song always hits me where I live and I almost cry every time I hear it.  Unfortunately I listen through my ipod which I use at the gym… I always get the strangest looks when I’m crying at the treadmill.  

Another strong contender is the Delfonics’ La La Means I Love You.  Unfortunately, this song brings up painful memories for me and thus is not eligible for the “favorite song” category.  

Side note:  while doing my extensive research on YouTube, have you noticed in the comments that people have to fight about everything??  Like about what brought them to the site – who liked them first – how they don’t make good music anymore and how Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga should just quit, etc… people are weird.  And when I say “weird”, I mean “f#$%&d”.